A MASTERPLAN has been unveiled in the bid to secure £24 million in Government funding.

The We Are Colchester partnership, bringing together Colchester Council, Essex County Council, business leaders and voluntary groups, has drawn up a bid to secure the cash as part of the Towns Fund scheme.

If successful, the money will be used for investment in 5G, a state-of-the-art youth centre, bringing historic buildings back to life, walking and cycling routes and creating a more attractive town centre.

A Town Investment Plan will be submitted before the end of the month, setting out where the group wants to invest £25 million, with £1 million already in the bag, which could in turn unlock tens of millions more in investment.

Read more >>> ‘£25m Town Deal bid a once in a generation opportunity for Colchester’

Colchester Council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve the plan at a meeting next Wednesday.

The largest chunk of the remaining £24 million - £13 million - would be used to improve sustainable travel, public realm and green infrastructure in the town centre and urban areas.

This will see the public space across the town centre made greener and more attractive whilst the board hopes to secure more investment at new housing developments.

Investment is also set to be made to to regenerate key urban areas outside the town centre with the idea of providing bikes to those in need.

Projects to revamp historic buildings within the town centre are also set to be prioritised.

Leader of Colchester Council Mark Cory said this could include bringing Holy Trinity Church, parts of which date to 1000 AD, back into use.

He said: “We plan to work with the voluntary sector and make it a living building again.

”There is investment needed to get it up to scratch but it is a big part of the town centre.

“There are schemes to improve Colchester as a destination, making our streets and public realm more attractive and greener. It is about greening the town and making it more inviting for people”

About £8 million is wanted to improve digital and physical connectivity in the town.

There will be targeted investment in 5G provision as well as projects to boost broadband service.

Investment will also be made in “high-quality and strategic” walking and cycling routes connecting housing estates, schools and the town centre.

We Are Colchester also hopes to secure about £4 million to invest in young people, skills and enterprise.

This will include creating new work space to reflect new Covid-secure practices in key economic sectors.

Projects which provide digital training opportunities will be backed whilst investment is set to be made in young people.

This could see a Youth Zone , which is a state-of-the-art youth centre offering sports and training facilities part funded and run by charity OnSide.

Mr Cory said: “As a teacher and former youth worker I feel it really is the right thing to do to invest in our young people.

"The county council has had to cut services over the years and the younger generation have been hit by so many different problems, facing recessions, the exams fiasco and being severely impacted by Covid.

"It is so much more than what you imagine as a youth club.

"Young people can go there and take part in activities and sports, you can do training in things like music and design as well as more practical things.

“I think it would be a fantastic addition to the town to help people connect and relate. Investing in young people shows we care about the future generations.”

Colchester Council’s cabinet is set to approve the plan before it goes to County Hall and the We Are Colchester board.

You can view the Town Investment Plan report here.