‘Leisure bonanza’ in great A12 land sale at Colchester
10:00am Tuesday 24th May 2011
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PLOTS of land off the A12 are being marketed by Colchester Council.
Developments there could create hundreds of jobs and generate income for the council.
The authority is looking for a buyer for a one-acre site next to the proposed park-and-ride site near the Cuckoo Farm juncion.
A cinema, restaurants and a hotel have been mooted as possible uses.
Paul Smith, councillor responsible for resources, said the land was listed for employment use, but could be transferred for commercial and industrial purposes.
It would open the door for restaurants and leisure activities on the land, between the park-and-ride and the new BP garage.
He said it was also hoped a hotel could be built on the southern side of the A12, next to the community stadium.
Mr Smith said: “The park-and-ride is going to attract a lot of people and generate customers throughout the day.
“We are thinking of looking for restaurants, perhaps like TGI Friday, which would make use of the park-and-ride facilities at night when parking spaces are not in use.
“We are thinking of a food court, but also entertainment, maybe a cinema, something on those lines. That is a possibility. There is certainly the potential for that.’’ Mr Smith said the council was
also looking at a use for land next to the stadium and said it could be the ideal location for a hotel.
Mr Smith said development would “generate significant benefits for Colchester, whether we take it as money or planning gain or possibly a combination of both. It will also create jobs for the local
economy, both in terms of the construction and in the long-term.’’
Comments(5)
<!–Boris, Colchester says… //–>
Boris, Colchester says…
11:12am Tue 24 May 11
Sounds like an excellent way to rip out what remains of the heart of Colchester town centre.
Think again, Mr. Smith.
<!–rationalThinker, colchester says… //–>
rationalThinker, colchester says…
1:27pm Tue 24 May 11
sorry Boris, I think this would be a great idea. Colchester has been missing an out of cinema for to long. I currently go to Ipswich or braintree if I want to go to the cinema. The cinema in the town centre is just not convienent. Parking is a problem and I have no desire to take my children into the town centre on friday or saturday night, its full of drunks and chavs.
<!–hughie-s, Here says… //–>
hughie-s, Here says…
2:47pm Tue 24 May 11
The bonanza will be for big business as the only jobs created by a cinema, restaurants and a hotel will be minimum wage and probably given to East Europeans who will spend as little as possible here while sending money home.
What we need is industry employing local people and manufacturing goods for export.
No mention of how many flats??
The bonanza will be for big business as the only jobs created by a cinema, restaurants and a hotel will be minimum wage and probably given to East Europeans who will spend as little as possible here while sending money home.
What we need is industry employing local people and manufacturing goods for export.
No mention of how many flats??
<!–romantic, Colchester says… //–>
romantic, Colchester says…
4:33pm Tue 24 May 11
All 3 above have valid points. Given a choice, lots of people will pick out of town places because they are convenient and the parking is free. There is a lot of sense putting things such as this next to the A12 and future P R. Boris does have a point, but I think the central cinema and possible new one could co-exist. The new one will bring people like RT to the cinema, and also a lot of people from out of town. A couple of OK food places up there would also be great for the football crowds as an alternative to burgers, chips and pies before the game. Hughie, again you have a point, but the fact is that the East Europeans are the ones who get off their backsides and do the work. If I was running a cinema or food place, I’d probably employ them too. Lots of youngsters seem to think the world will just arrive at their door with a job, and that any “menial” task is beneath them. That’s why East Europeans will get employed, not because they’re cheap, but because they will do a good job.
There are lots of new developments in town which I look at in despair, but actually this one does make more sense than most.
All 3 above have valid points. Given a choice, lots of people will pick out of town places because they are convenient and the parking is free. There is a lot of sense putting things such as this next to the A12 and future P R. Boris does have a point, but I think the central cinema and possible new one could co-exist. The new one will bring people like RT to the cinema, and also a lot of people from out of town. A couple of OK food places up there would also be great for the football crowds as an alternative to burgers, chips and pies before the game. Hughie, again you have a point, but the fact is that the East Europeans are the ones who get off their backsides and do the work. If I was running a cinema or food place, I’d probably employ them too. Lots of youngsters seem to think the world will just arrive at their door with a job, and that any “menial” task is beneath them. That’s why East Europeans will get employed, not because they’re cheap, but because they will do a good job.
There are lots of new developments in town which I look at in despair, but actually this one does make more sense than most.
<!–B1gman, colchester says… //–>
B1gman, colchester says…
4:50pm Tue 24 May 11
question ??
has everyone forgotten the proposed travellers site?
what business in their right mind would want to set up shop near that ?
another bright idea doomed to failure by the muppets at CBC!!
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