A judge has thrown out a high court challenge against a multimillion pound leisure park in Colchester – and developers say they are excited to get started on the project.

East Anglian Daily Times: Artist's impression of �70million development Tollgate Village. Picture: TOLLGATE PARTNERSHIPArtist's impression of �70million development Tollgate Village. Picture: TOLLGATE PARTNERSHIP (Image: Archant)

Tollgate Village, a £70million scheme pledging to bring big name restaurants and a cinema to the outskirts of the town, has taken centre stage in a long running planning row lasting for over a year.

Colchester council chiefs originally refused planning permission for the development over fears it would be detrimental to businesses in the town centre.

But developers Tollgate Partnership Ltd appealed to the government – and in August, Secretary of State Sajid Javid gave the proposals the green light.

Earlier this week, another appeal against the park by town centre business groups Fenwick and Lion Walk Property S.A.R.L. was rejected by the High Court judge, much to the delight of the park’s developers.

On hearing the news, Tollgate Partnership bosses Daniel Watts and Jayne Gee said: “We welcome the judge’s decision.

“We are excited to bring Tollgate Village and its many lasting economic benefits to our borough, Stanway and the region.”

Speaking earlier this week, the Honourable Justice Lang DBE dismissed the appeal – suggesting government findings were both adequate and intelligible.

She said: “The reasons given by the defendant (Secretary of State), supplemented by reference to relevant findings in the inspector’s report, were both adequate and intelligible, and the claimants have no prospect of success on this ground either.”

Despite the judge’s ruling, those opposing the out-of-town development still have a few days to appeal the decision.

If no further appeals are made, work on the 20-acre scheme – which will include shops, restaurants and a multi-storey car park – could start as early as 2018.

When the development was originally given the go-ahead in August, Stanway’s county councillor Kevin Bentley said: “I am thrilled and delighted by this decision. I have always maintained that Tollgate Village would be a tremendous boost to our economy.

“With our borough growing we need developments that gives our residents the right facilities in the right places and Tollgate Village provides this.”