COLCHESTER’s High Steward says a series of plans for the town centre should be thrown out as he labelled them “appalling”.

Sir Bob Russell says he “strongly objects” to the applications for “ludicrous” proposals in Long Wyre Street and Priory Walk in Colchester’s so-called Cultural Quarter.

He added the town “deserves better” than what has been proposed and said Colchester Council’s planning committee should draw up a masterplan for the area.

The former Lib Dem MP said he felt “a child let loose with Lego would come up with something better”.

He added: “The applications should be refused on the grounds of being inappropriate for the area.

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“At the very least there should first be a masterplan for the central retail area of Colchester in respect of changing circumstances for retail, not a piecemeal approach as the applications show.

“There should be a retention of retail along the full frontage of Long Wyre Street, Priory Walk and where it joins Queen Street.

“A bin store and cycle store on a retail shop frontage street is ludicrous. The height of the proposed buildings is out of keeping with the street scene and would create a wind tunnel.

“The applications should be refused.”