Wednesday 29th March, 2023
Colchester City Council has announced plans for the future development of the city centre in the Colchester City Centre Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document.
The recommendations will be discussed at the Local Plan Committee meeting at the Town Hall on 3rd April.
The report highlights that plans for a new retail centre at Vineyard Gate have been abandoned. The area will now become a public open space with cycling provision.
The Council went on a spending spree over the past decade, buying up property around the Vineyard Gate area. With the plans for a new retail centre now abandoned, the council is focusing on creating a public open space.
The Council claims that the continued economic and cultural vibrancy of the city centre lies in reconnecting it to the surrounding neighbourhoods, and the masterplan aims to achieve this.
The Council has commissioned consultants to prepare a comprehensive approach to development opportunities within the City Centre. The consortium includes a range of key skills, including urban design, heritage, socio-economic, and transport.
The focus of the masterplan is on the primary and secondary shopping areas in the Local Plan, as well as the main city centre development allocations and gateways to the surrounding neighbourhoods.
The plan aims to improve the walking and cycling experience of routes to the mainline rail station, the Roman Circus, and the Hythe and University campus.
The urban design strategies are focused on six key areas of the City Centre, including the High Street, Southway, and St John’s Street/Osborne Street, the former Bus Station Site, Britannia Yard, Vineyard Gate, and St Botolph’s Junction.
Details on funding are scarce.
The report claims that the masterplan will provide a clear and comprehensive approach to development opportunities within the City Centre, and the wider public consultation is set to begin in May.
The Council intends to coincide with the consultation by Essex County Council on the St Botolph’s junction design proposals.
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