Housing Proposal on Roman Circus Site Rejected

Plans to construct over 200 residences on a parcel of land, which partially encompasses the remnants of a 2,000-year-old chariot track, have been denied after councillors asserted, “we can do better.” The proposed development for the former Army Base Repair Organisation site, located in Colchester, Essex, had previously been paused due to apprehensions regarding affordable housing and the potential impact of the homes on the historic Roman circus. Conservative councillor Sue Lissimore informed Colchester City Council’s planning committee that, “Going through the four hours of discussions at the last meeting, every single person has said we can do so much better than this.” Planning officer Nadine Calder cautioned councillors against being “overambitious.” “There is a limit to what can be done, and we believe what has been put forward can be done in a nice way,” she stated during a meeting on Thursday. Ten out of 11 councillors voted to refuse the proposal, citing worries about the potential effect on the appearance and character of the historic site. Labour councillor Julie Young, who did not participate in the vote, remarked: “The weight of this decision bears very heavy on us all.” She added, “I think there’s significant concerns around the table about whether this is the best we can get.” The plans included an expansion of a visitor centre near the remains of the quarter-mile (400m) track, which were discovered in 2004. Simon Cairns, the council’s joint head of planning, indicated that it would have provided a “brand new and attractive entrance and modern facilities which would be a significant improvement.” Separately, an application to dismantle some buildings at the Flagstaff Road site received approval from the council on Thursday.