RESIDENTS in an Essex village are to be given a chance to have their say on a large project which will see an historic port redeveloped into housing.

James Hore

RESIDENTS in an Essex village are to be given a chance to have their say on a large project which will see an historic port redeveloped into housing.

Planners at Colchester Borough Council are set to decide on an application for 300 homes and buildings in Rowhedge, near Colchester.

The applicant, GLPF Two, is proposing to transform the old port and the scheme also includes business developments and a café and restaurant.

An outline planning application has now been submitted to the council.

Locals will be hoping that the development adheres to a masterplan drawn up four years ago which has been adopted by the borough council.

The development site is close to the water at the end of the village and people are keen to ensure that access is not via the tiny High Street which could potentially lead to traffic problems.

Christine Sharp, chairwoman of East Donyland Parish Council, said there would be a public meeting with the plans on display to give people a chance to have their say.

She said: “It is early days as we, as a council, only received a copy of the plans on Thursday.

“Normally planning applications would be open to the public at the parish council meetings but this application is larger than most so there will be a meeting especially for people to have a look at the plans and have their say.”

She said residents were keen that the housing development did not come down to the edge of the River Colne, as has happened on the other side of the water at Wivenhoe.

“I think people accept that there will be a development there, at some point, so it is a case of getting it done in a way that residents are happy with and that is why the masterplan was drawn up,” she said.

Full details of the plan can be found on Colchester Borough Council's website - www.colchester.gov.uk.