OPPOSITION councillors have hit out at Colchester Council after Alumno’s plans for the town’s so-called Cultural Quarter were approved on appeal.

Planning inspector Melvyn Middleton overturned the planning committee’s decision to reject the proposals for land off Queen Street last week.

The housing giant now has the go-ahead to create 336-student flats, an 87-bed Travelodge hotel, retail units and public open space subject to a number of strict conditions.

Colchester’s Conservative Group, which is the largest group on the council but remains in opposition, has blamed Colchester Council and bemoaned its “lack of vision and aspiration”. Tory councillor for Castle ward Simon Crow said: “I’m deeply disappointed this development has been given the green light.

“It was never a suitable use for this important site where the coalition council had promised a Cultural Quarter but instead showed a clear lack of vision and aspiration for the town and worked with Alumno to bring this development forward.”

Colchester Council was criticised by campaigners after signing a 250-year lease agreement at a price of £980,881 - the equivalent of £3,923 per year.

The contract was conditional on planning permission being granted at any stage of the planning process.

Lewis Barber, Colchester Conservatives’ deputy leader, said: “We have worked with community representatives and have always opposed the developer Alumno’s proposals for our town’s cultural quarter.

“Colchester Conservatives wanted the community to shape the future of the site rather than have a development imposed on them.

“That is why we are disappointed to learn planning permission has been granted for the development after the Lib Dems and Labour signed a contract with the developer for the site.”

Colchester’s Conservative MP Will Quince said: “This decision is a huge disappointment.

“Colchester Council’s cabinet who signed off the ‘subject to planning’ deal over this unpopular proposal should hang their heads in shame.

“Our only hope now is that Essex County Council refuse to lift the covenant they hold over the land.”

The newly re-elected MP, who increased his majority in Thursday’s General Election, said his first move would be to write to County Hall bosses over the issue.

Alumno’s proposals drew almost unprecedented opposition from residents and campaigners, with hundreds of objections submitted.

However following the decision, business and resources boss David King said the scheme would bring £40 million investment into the town centre.

He said: “While it’s not an ideal situation, we now have to look at the positives of the development.”