PLANS for nearly 100 homes in a village near Colchester look finally set to be rubberstamped more than a year after they were unveiled… despite widespread objection from residents.

Colchester Council’s planning committee looks set to approve proposals to build a block of 90 assisted living flats in Copford, after officers recommended the bid for approval.

An extension to Dorothy Curtice Court, an existing development of sheltered accommodation in London Road, is also included.

Housing association Anchor, which runs the accommodation, first unveiled the plans at the beginning of 2023.

The new buildings would be made up of 32 one-bedroom and 40 two-bedroom flats in the assisted living block, and 13 one-bedroom flats and five two-bedroom flats in the extension to the existing site.

Following the submission, hundreds of objections and concerns have been received from residents, including over the size of the project.

Gazette: Protest - campaigners urge developer to 'not attack cul-de-sac'Protest - campaigners urge developer to 'not attack cul-de-sac' (Image: Public)

Access to the development using a nearby cul-de-sac, Queensbury Avenue, is also worrying nearby residents.

Among the more than 200 objections received is a four-page letter from Copford with Easthorpe Parish Council, which says it “objects in the strongest possible terms”.

Meanwhile, Tiptree councillor Roger Mannion dubbed the blueprints “ill-conceived”.

Colchester Council’s planning committee looked set to approve proposals at a meeting in January.

However, a vote saw six councillors vote to put the plans on hold while planning bosses negotiate with the applicant over several aspects of the scheme, while three councillors voted against deferral.

The application was deferred to investigate alternative access arrangements, a reduction in the number of flats and the size and scale of blocks from three storeys.

Gazette: Debate - Colchester Council had previously deferred the plansDebate - Colchester Council had previously deferred the plans (Image: Newsquest)

A statement as part of planning papers to be agreed upon in the next meeting reads: “No amendments to the scheme have been made since the application was presented to members at the committee on January 25.

“Notwithstanding the concerns raised by members during the committee, it is your officers’ opinion the development, as proposed, is acceptable.

“It would be contained within the site, thereby not significantly impacting on the character of the surrounding area and would bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits, including the provision of a 100 per cent affordable scheme and significant biodiversity enhancements.

“This tips the planning balance strongly in favour of the proposed development.”

The plans can still be rejected if the committee goes against the recommendation.