HUNDREDS of homes and a new primary school look set to be built in Colchester almost three years after a housebuilder launched a development bid.
Colchester Council’s planning committee is set to review blueprints for up to 600 homes, a new primary school, and a new nursery in Stanway – and officers have recommended the plans be approved.
Housebuilder Weston Homes first submitted its outline proposals for the site, off London Road and Turkey Cock Lane, in September 2021.
If approved, vehicles will be able to access the development from London Road and Red Panda Road on the Oakwood Meadows estate.
The new houses and education settings would sit behind the leisure area off London Road which is home to restaurants including the Toby Carvery as well as a Busy Bees nursery.
The land is allocated for the development of up to 630 homes and a new primary school in Colchester Council’s local plan, which was approved by councillors in 2022 and could see 15,970 homes built in the city by 2033.
Planning bosses have already given the green light for 66 homes to be built on a smaller parcel of land at the site which are now being developed.
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'Serious concerns'
Parish councillors have written to the planning authority to confirm they have no objections but they raised “serious concerns” about the lack of access to doctors, dentists, and buses in the area.
Many residents have written to planners to object to the plans in an attempt to save the land from being built on.
“This is perfectly good agricultural land,” one resident wrote. “We should be doing our utmost to be growing our own food.”
They added: “Stanway is already now at capacity through everything you have granted permission for over the years.”
Another neighbour feared hundreds of new homes would cause traffic headaches.
“This is very concerning as the traffic in this area is bad enough already and whenever the A12 has an accident or a diversion it blocks the whole local area,” they said.
“This should not be granted at any cost.”
Councillors will debate the plans at a meeting on Thursday.
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