THE future of a proposal which would see a 270-bed student accommodation scheme built in Colchester hangs in the balance after a planning committee meeting.

Fears have been voiced hundreds of student flats proposed to be built on a former commercial harbour in the Hythe could “overwhelm” the area.

Colchester Council’s planning committee discussed the application on Thursday night and chose to defer any decision which would give the project the go ahead or deny it until a future meeting.

The decision to defer was taken after the applicant was given the opportunity to renegotiate the height of the accommodation and the proposed access to the site.

Located between the town centre and the University of Essex Colchester Campus, the proposed scheme would consist largely of studio apartments.

Read more: Revised plans submitted for 270 student flats to be built in Colchester

But some residents have raised concerns the development could “overwhelm” the town, fearing a loss of privacy and daylight as a result of overshadowing from the tall buildings which are being proposed.

Concerns have also been raised about it being situated on a relatively narrow road, meaning a build with towering blocks on either side could create a wind tunnel where vehicle fumes would accumulate.

However, Colchester MP Will Quince suggested certain councillors were being hypocritical in refusing the plan which led to it needing to be deferred.

Gazette: Decision - Will QuinceDecision - Will Quince (Image: Newsquest)

He said the decision left him “surprised and disappointed”.

He added: “This is a brownfield site, vacant for decades, walking distance to the university and would represent a multi-million pound investment into our town.

“The Labour and Lib Dem run council allocated Middlewick, a much-loved green field site, for 1,000 homes in the Local Plan against the wishes of local residents yet [councillors] reject an application to build on a brownfield wasteland that has sat unused for decades.

“Also, it hasn’t escaped my notice the same councillors campaigning against this proposed student development next to the university were part of the council administration so keen for the proposed Alumno student flats at the Cultural Quarter, next to Firstsite to go ahead.”