Construction has begun on a £12million leisure development of restaurants – including a KFC and Nandos – in Stanway.

East Anglian Daily Times: Work starts on the Stane Park development. Picture: SIMON LEE/CHURCHMANOR ESTATESWork starts on the Stane Park development. Picture: SIMON LEE/CHURCHMANOR ESTATES (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Stane Park was given the go-ahead after a successful appeal, following Colchester Borough Council’s refusal for the scheme.

The site will include a McMullen’s pub, Starbucks, KFC, Nandos and Bella Italia, and is due to open in August 2018.

Churchmanor Estates, the developers, has also pledged £350,000 to widen London Road at the Western Bypass junction in a congestion-busting measure.

Once completed by contractors Rose Builders, the site will employ an estimated 260 people.

East Anglian Daily Times: Andrew Salmon and Stephen Rose of Rose Builders and Stephen Clark and Rupert Clark of The Churchmanor Estates Company at the Stane Park site. Picture: SIMON LEE/CHURCHMANOR ESTATESAndrew Salmon and Stephen Rose of Rose Builders and Stephen Clark and Rupert Clark of The Churchmanor Estates Company at the Stane Park site. Picture: SIMON LEE/CHURCHMANOR ESTATES (Image: Simon Lee Photography)

Stephen Clark, from Churchmanor, said: “It is pleasing to finally start work on our leisure scheme and we very much look forward to its opening next summer.

“We have taken great care over the design layout and landscaping within the scheme and we are pleased to be able to bring these much-needed facilities to the residents of Stanway.

“Rose Builders have carried out several successful developments with us in the past and we are very much looking forward to working with them on this prestigious scheme.”

Steven Rose, for Rose Builders, added: “We are delighted to be working with Churchmanor once again on this scheme and playing our part in the creation of what we believe will be an attractive leisure facility.”