COLCHESTER’S oldest standing building will become a "huge public toilet", a concerned councillor said as plans to redevelop Holy Trinity Church were given the nod.
Colchester Council’s planning committee approved a £600,000 bid to regenerate the historic church in Trinity Street at a meeting on Thursday.
The council says the project will revive the city centre churchyard into an open space that will attract visitors.
But city centre councillor Mark Goacher fears Holy Trinity Church could become a hotbed for anti-social behaviour.
He told the committee: “Removing part of what is now the churchyard to make it a public pavement risks it becoming a stopping-off point for people urinating on the way from maybe the Purple Dog to the High Street or vice versa on a Saturday or Friday night.
“It’s not perfect at the moment because it’s not maintained as well as it should be, but I envisage there being even more litter.”
'Irresponsible'
The approved blueprints include plans to remove some of the churchyard’s railings to make the space more accessible.
High Steward of Colchester Sir Bob Russell removing the railings is “irresponsible” and “an act of municipal vandalism”.
More than 20 gravestones are also set to be moved, which Sir Bob argued is “disrespectful to Colcestrians of previous generations”.
Hana Loftus, director of HAT Projects which designed the scheme, said removing the railings is essential to make sure the space is “accessible for every single member of our community”.
“For someone in a mobility scooter, someone in a wheelchair, a family with small children and buggies, that pavement is incredibly narrow,” she explained.
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“It’s really difficult to get in and out of the churchyard.
"We want to make sure that all of the citizens of our community can enjoy and appreciate that amazing Saxon tower, can stand and look up at it and appreciate its significance and we believe that the design proposals achieve that as sensitively as we possibly can.”
Steps like installing extra CCTV cameras and closing the churchyard after sunset will be taken to ensure the space is safe and enjoyable for everyone.
'Unlocking the potential'
Business bosses have welcomed the approval of the Holy Trinity Square project.
Sam Good, chief executive of the city’s business improvement district, said: “We’re excited about the prospect of unlocking the potential of Holy Trinity Square and the opportunities for our businesses and for Trinity Street.
“The square is at the core of our city centre, and it will be truly gratifying to see it enjoyed for generations to come as a public realm.”
The regeneration project will be largely funded by a grant from the government.
Natalie Sommers, the council’s communities boss, thanked everyone who took part in the “extensive consultation” process to shape the future of the churchyard.
“They have helped us refine the way ahead,” she said. “All agree that the square and church, with origins dating back to the 11th century, hold a special place in our city’s rich history.
“Yet, until now, residents and visitors have not had a welcoming space to appreciate its significance and grandeur.
“For nearly 70 years, the square has remained an underutilised public area. Now we can open up and breathe new life into this special place.”
As part of the redevelopment of the area, the church itself will be transformed into a community hub run by the charity Community360.
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