THE decision date for new hotel plans described as “an opportunity Colchester must grab hold of and celebrate” has been pushed back.

Elysium Group, alongside its brand partner Marriott, wants to launch a Moxy Hotel in a currently vacant property at the top of North Hill.

The large commercial building built in 1936 was previously home to the Post Office until its closure in 2018.

Gazette: Closed - the former post office site on North HillClosed - the former post office site on North Hill (Image: Google Maps)

If the blueprints are signed off by planning bosses, the rear of the terraced building will be demolished to provide capacity but the locally-listed front would be retained.

The otherwise abandoned site between Yates and Centurion would then be transformed into a 73-room hotel, with a restaurant on the ground level.

Gazette: Upgrade - the rear of the building will be demolished to provide capacity but the front would be retainedUpgrade - the rear of the building will be demolished to provide capacity but the front would be retained (Image: Newsquest)

Now, it has been revealed Colchester Council has longer to decide on the plans. 

It is not known how much more time will be needed but it is understood architects for the Elysium Group are set to submit some revised drawings. 

Since the application went live, there have been a balance of support and objection comments made.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

One objection said: “We welcome the re-use of the site and upgrade of the building.

“The principle of having a hotel there is positive but we strongly object to the current proposals on grounds of inappropriate scale and mass, potential harm to nationally significant archaeology, privacy and blocking of daylight and views from neighbouring work spaces.”

Gazette: Luxury - a mock up image of the Moxy Hotel from the rear of the buildingLuxury - a mock up image of the Moxy Hotel from the rear of the building (Image: N/A)

Another cited concerns about the increased traffic caused by the development.

The objection reads: “From the proposal as outlined, there will clearly be an increased traffic flow into Church Street and Balkerne Passage.

“This will further be compounded by the increased deliveries of goods and services.”

Gazette: New look - the Moxy Hotel would be within a walking distance of the Jumbo Water TowerNew look - the Moxy Hotel would be within a walking distance of the Jumbo Water Tower (Image: Newsquest)

However, some have welcomed the plans and have voiced their support.

One said the plans would be a “great asset” to the city, adding they would like to see “more forward thinking plans submitted”.

Gazette: Refurb - the site would be a 73-room hotel with a restaurant on the ground levelRefurb - the site would be a 73-room hotel with a restaurant on the ground level (Image: Newsquest)

Colchester’s Business Improvement District (BID) described the plans as an opportunity the city “must grab hold of and celebrate”, adding the Moxy hotel would “act as a key player in Colchester’s post-pandemic evolution”.

The Gazette reached out to the Elysium group for a comment.

A Colchester Council spokesman said: "The project architects are currently reviewing the design to submit revised drawings which will then be considered before a recommendation and then decision is made.

"Whilst the inward investment and re-use of a landmark building to deliver a new city centre hotel is welcomed, we need to ensure that the detailed design maximises the opportunities of this site to deliver an outstanding new building worthy of the location."

Colchester Council will have the final say on the plans.