A NEW £1.5m community centre set to be created in Colchester has been scrapped as council bosses said it would be too expensive. 

The St Mark's Community Centre would have been based at the old home of Colchester Rugby Club, in Mill Road.

But rising construction costs, supply chain disruptions, and high inflation have now meant the project is being paused. 

Colchester Council had set aside £1.5million for the centre but said the budget needed for the development "has nearly doubled". 

The news comes after the authority outlined drastic changes to facilities as it looks to raise £600,000 to match the new national pay award.

David King, leader of the council, said “I do understand how very disappointing this news will be for supporters of the St Marks project.

“Our decision has not been lightly made, but driven by budget pressure, escalating costs, delays to the nearby housing this would help serve, and the need to prioritise.

“We do recognise the pressure on existing community centres in Highwoods and our promise on St Marks, and will set aside £200,000 to extend the life of the existing community centre at Highwoods and St John's.”

Gazette: Promise - Council leader David King said he promised to give £100k instead to modernise and extend an existing community centrePromise - Council leader David King said he promised to give £100k instead to modernise and extend an existing community centre (Image: Newsquest)

The proposed site would have been alongside up to 350 homes, a care home, and a private hospital on land off Axial Way.

The approved blueprints are part of Colchester Council’s wider Northern Gateway scheme, with the land sitting close to a multi-million pound leisure park which is under construction.

Work is yet to start at the site, much of which was formerly home to Colchester Rugby Club before it moved to nearby Colchester Sports Park, despite 12 months passing since planning approval was given.

The plans also include provisions for office space spanning the size of six Premier League football pitches, as well as new shops and space for a restaurant or café.

The major scheme is estimated to be worth tens of millions of pounds and could create as many as 2,600 full-time jobs in Mile End.

The building of the nearby Kingswood Heath community centre will continue due to it being directly funded by developers.