Gamet Bearings Colchester building 'still used' by squatters

Police officers have confirmed people are living inside the former Gamet Bearings factory in Hythe Station Road, Colchester.

They have found bedding and other personal items during searches of the building, which comprises five sections.

Gamet Bearings was set up in the 1950s but bought by rival firm HB Bearings in 2019 before being closed in the same year.

Defunct - the factory has been vacant since Gamet Bearings closed in 2019 (Image: Newsquest)

Abandoned - the former Gamet Bearings factory in Hythe Station Road (Image: Newsquest)

Its former home has lied vacant ever since but in April 2021 it was found to have been transformed into a £2million cannabis farm.

Last year plans to demolish the building and replace it with 65 flats and two commercial units went into Colchester Council.

They have yet to be decided on. 

Greenstead councillor Julie Young has now called on Essex Police and Colchester Council to take enforcement action against the owners of the site.

Mrs Young said alongside her ward council colleagues, she wants to see the building secured and made safe.

“This building must be secured to prevent entry as we are fearful of community safety risks for those individuals and neighbours who may be affected by the inappropriate use of this building,” she said.

Cannabis factory - the building was transformed illegally into a £2 million cannabis farm (Image: Essex Police)

Call for action - Greenstead councillor Julie Young (Image: Newsquest)

“Essex Police and Colchester Council have been made aware and we are hoping swift action is taken.”

The councillor said she has been told by the police that a search of the building has been carried out and evidence of squatters using it has been found.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has also undertaken a fire risk assessment.

It follows fire officials being left scratching their heads after the building went up in flames in January.

Blaze - the building went up in smoke in January (Image: Newsquest)

Damage - the building after the blaze (Image: ECFRS)

Six crews fought to keep the flames at bay shortly after 1pm on January 23 but the cause of the blaze was never determined.

At the time, eyewitness Gerry Sharpe said he understood homeless people who had been living in the building were being supported by the police.

Greenstead councillor Tim Young said: “Everybody needs to keep away from it until the owner makes it secure, which they need to.

“It ought to be secure and people should really treat it as private property and not go near it.”