PLANS for more than 300 new student flats to be built in tower blocks up to ten stories tall have been revealed.

Beyond the Box has launched a website for the redevelopment of Colne Quay, in Hythe, Colchester.

The Colchester-based firm is looking to create more than 300 “high quality, en-suite student bedrooms” for students at the former industrial site.

If permission is granted, the flats will be created across several blocks ranging from four to ten storeys in height, with architects Whittam Cox, who worked on the Bond Street development in Chelmsford, designing the proposals.

Hythe student housing. Picture: Beyond the Box

Beyond the Box, which runs a village for University of Essex students off Avon Way in Greenstead, said the new residents would bring in £1.75 million a year to the town.

Part of the development will be set aside for flexible commercial space, which could be used for a retail outlet, office space, a café or community use.

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The website says: “The Colne Quay site is currently derelict, overgrown and inaccessible.

“As well as transforming it with a student housing development, Beyond The Box will enable wider public access.

“We will rebuild the river wall alongside the site and reinstate a river path to provide a safe pedestrian link from the Colne Causeway roundabout to the River Colne footbridge.”

CGI - more than 300 student flats are planned for Colne Quay

It adds: “The vision for the development will be to combine some of the design heritage of the Hythe area with up to date architectural trends to create a modern interpretation of the industrial port warehouses and buildings synonymous with the area.

Colne Quay was home to Colchester Gasworks for more than 100 years before it was vacated and the buildings demolished in the 1970s.

Beyond the Box said the redevelopment of the site was supported by Colchester Council planning policy.

Designs - how the student flats could look

The website continues: “The University of Essex is growing but there is a shortage of student housing in Colchester, particularly for second year plus students, which threatens to undermine the university’s ability to attract students.

“The development at Colne Quay will be a major contribution towards plugging this housing shortage, with circa 300 high quality, en-suite student bedrooms.

“Beyond The Box will ensure the highest standard of accommodation management.

“Our purpose-built student accommodation will provide a quality experience for students. It will include state of the art shared amenity space and facilities.

“It will be run by on site staff trained in providing pastoral and emotional support as well as effective day-to-day management of the accommodation.”

Visit www.colnequay.com to comment on the proposals.