Essex County Council boss says masterplan work is ongoing

It follows the acquisition of land off Queen Street in the so-called Cultural Quarter by Essex County Council.

The site was earmarked for a £40 million hotel and flats scheme but County Hall thwarted developer Alumno by exercising its first refusal to purchase the coveted land.

A masterplan for the city centre was rubberstamped by Colchester Council and the county council last year but was then derailed by a change of administration in Colchester at last year’s local elections.

Scrapped - a graphic of the Alumno proposal (Image: Alumno)

County Hall leader Kevin Bentley said work is now underway to create a new vision.

“This key part of Colchester city centre is being bought to support a new masterplan being developed for the city,” he said.

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“We will be working with local businesses, residents, Colchester Council and other partners to make sure that the site is being used in the best way it possibly can.

“This is all part of our aim to help our historic city centre into the 21st century.

Council leader - Essex County Council boss Kevin Bentley (Image: Newsquest)

“This exciting vision builds on the work already being done to regenerate Colchester through investment and practical support.

“We want to celebrate Colchester’s rich heritage and support the city centre not only in post-pandemic recovery, but thriving here and now.”

The new blueprint for the city will complement landmark £19.66 million funding awarded to Colchester by the Government in January.

About 84 per cent of the money is expected to be pumped into rejuvenating the areas in and around St Botolph’s, which MP Will Quince said “has been left behind”.

Historic - St Botolph's Priory in Colchester (Image: Newsquest)

Plans show the underpass of St Botolph’s roundabout is in line for a make-over and as well as the roundabout itself, which will “create better movement.”

Arts campaigner Dorian Kelly said building an eight metre tall Antony Gormley sculpture of Boudicca could help attract tourists to the area.

“If Gormley sculpted it the statue would attract 4,000 tourists a week and would be worth millions to the local economy,” said Mr Kelly.

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