RESIDENTS led a public information event to drum up awareness of plans to redevelop the town’s Cultural Quarter

Resident Angela Roger and business owner Andrew Skene are opposed to the development, which would see 330 student flats and a hotel.

Together they hosted an event next to First Site on Sunday, encouraging members of the public to comment on the application.

Andrew Skene said: “Today is about informing the public of the plan and what we feel are the negative impacts of the development as it stands.

“We are not against development, but the current design does nothing for the area and we don’t feel it’s the best use for it. A mixed use would be much better.

“It doesn’t make use of the site to bring money into the local economy.

“The projection for student numbers was done pre-Brexit, they will be going elsewhere after.

“The short term gain may not seem such a good idea 20 years down the line.”

The design also proposes art studios, a community room and a heritage trail.

But some feel the plans do not make the most out of Colchester’s Roman history and have called for the plans to incorporate more tourism opportunities to benefit the economy.

Angela Roger said: “I have only met one person today who is for the development.

“Most people do not understand what’s happening, people are confused about what’s going on.

“A lot of people are angry that it’s not getting any tourism.

“Someone thought it would be a tourism office because the other one had closed.

“One student I spoke to said the student accommodation there will have bad transport links and it’s too far away from the university.

“That’s really interesting, because as a resident I thought the issue would be a lack of parking.”

To comment on the plans, visit colchester.gov.uk/planning and use reference

182120.