Planning permission issued for north Colchester and community stadium project

Planning permission for the regeneration of north Colchester, and the building of a community stadium, was issued today following the signing of crucial legal agreements.

North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and national regeneration agency English Partnerships, together with Colchester Borough Council, have agreed to release the land for housing, paving the way for a regeneration programme in the north of the borough.

The overall scheme will see the creation of 1,500 new homes - many of which will be affordable - 3,500 jobs, improved transport links, new health facilities and a 10,000-seater community stadium which will be home to Colchester United.

Cllr Robert Davidson, Colchester Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Partnerships, said: “This is a huge step forward for all the project partners working to deliver the north Colchester scheme. I would like to thank all the people who have been working hard behind the scenes to achieve this result. In particular I am delighted that the community stadium project can now move on to the next stage. This project will bring real benefits to the whole community while also providing a new home for Colchester United.”

Dr Richard Coleman, Chief Executive of the North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust said: “We are delighted that this phase has been completed. It is excellent news as it means that the development of local mental health services is now one step closer.”

Mike Goulding, Senior Property Manager for English Partnerships, said, “This is a welcome step towards turning plans to transform north Colchester into reality.  Severalls is one of almost a hundred former hospital sites across the country set to be brought back into productive use by English Partnerships. It will provide a boost to the levels of affordable housing in this part of Essex.  Together with the new community stadium, residents can look forward to a significant boost to their local economy.”

English Partnerships and the North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust will soon begin the search for a developer to help turn the redundant hospital site into an exciting new community.  It is expected that the 1,500-home development will be a mix of newly built properties and the conversion of appropriate listed buildings.