PLANS for another 282 student flats to be built in Hythe are set to be approved.

Lanswood Limited's proposals to construct a new eight-storey accommodation block on land behind the Colchester Centre, in Hawkins Road, are set to be rubber stamped by the planning committee.

As well as the 282 rooms, the plans feature a cafe, meeting space, bin store, cycle store, laundry, reception, plant rooms and parking for 34 cars.

Plans, initially submitted in 2019, were revised by the applicant last year after discussions with Colchester Council about the designs.

A report, set to go before Colchester Council's planning committee, says: "The scheme would utilise a vacant piece of land which is sustainably located close to key facilities including shops and transports nodes. It is walkable to the university.

"The scheme contributes to the council’s land supply and will help meet the ever-growing demand for student accommodation.

"Following negotiation, the scheme has been thoroughly reworked to bring the massing down and to improve the overall composition.

"Whilst it is accepted this is a tall building in a back land position, much of the proposed block will be visually filtered by the change in levels to the north and by the other buildings in the area.

"What is seen will be a high-quality piece of architecture."

It adds: "Officers consider the planning balance tips strongly in favour of this proposal."

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The developer will have to agree to make contributions to healthcare facilities and sustainable transport infrastructure in the area before the plans go ahead.

Councillors will vote on the proposals at the meeting on Thursday.

Beyond the Box has also revealed plans to build another 300 student flats on the banks of the River Colne at Colne Quay.

Alumno is also set to build 336 student flats in the town centre off Queen Street whilst Host opened its 252 room student development in Magdalen Street last year.