OPEN-AIR theatre could be returning to a Colchester heritage site in a bid to rid it of vagrants.

Colchester Council is looking at using the grounds around St Botolph’s Priory for outdoor productions as part of a scheme to make the site more visitor-friendly.

The Augustinian priory church, the first of its kind in England, was previously used by the Priory Players, but they moved on more than 20 years ago before it became a hotspot for drinkers, drug users and vandals.

Now Colchester Council has appointed landscape architects Lizlake to redesign the grounds and raise awareness of the site’s historical significance in the hope of banishing the antisocial behaviour.

The project is being funded by an £800,000 grant from the Haven Gateway Partnership.

Ideas for the grounds include laying better paths and improving signs, seating and visitor information.

Howard Davies, Colchester Council’s town centre project manager, said: “We know the area is a bit of a hidden gem.

“There is a lot of history attached to it, but people rarely go there. One reason is perhaps people don’t know about it.

“Secondly if you do notice it, other people who use it might put you off.

“We want to encourage people who live in Priory Street and the surrounding area to use it.

“What we are proposing to do is not a great deal, but effective and discreet ways of making it more accessible.”

Lizlake staff will be visiting the site in coming weeks to canvas people’s views.

Alistair Bayford, chartered landscape architect for the Stansted firm, said: “At the moment, the site is used for all sorts of inappropriate activity, and we want to change that.

“It could be a simple thing like getting more people into the park by making it more visible from the street or putting something in the visitor information centre.

“It could then be used for people having lunch, and it might be you could accommodate an area for open air performances.

“We may not need to spend a lot, just something that creates the sense of a stage and seating area. We would then put together a master plan and would hope to deliver something positive in the next year.”

Residents and visitors can share their ideas for the site by filling in a questionnaire available at www.lizlake.com , the Customer Service Centre, Angel Court, and Colchester library until the end of the month.

Further consultation is expected to take place this summer.