Tim Young is the Colchester councillor responsible for regeneration and has publicly been a supporter of the controversial proposals put forward by Alumno on land off Queen Street. 

The propsoals have faced widespread criticism but the council boss remains steadfast in his support. 

And here's why:

It would be the easiest thing in the world for me to say that I have changed my mind and I am now firmly against the plans for St Botolph’s Quarter.

I am sure it would increase my popularity amongst certain groups and I would be praised for listening to a small section of public opinion who are violently opposed to the scheme.

That is not my style I’m afraid. I firmly believe that politicians at all levels should do the right thing which isn’t always the popular thing.

Alumno’s plans for the St Botolph’s Quarter are, in my view, exciting, bold and imaginative.

They will regenerate a part of Colchester that has, for too long, been neglected and bring much needed life and vibrancy to that area.

It will create an attractive environment that will entice people to visit and bring footfall and spending power to the businesses, shops and cultural venues that are there.

As a Labour councillor I want to see bold developments on brownfield sites like this one that will create jobs, boost economic growth and tourism, regenerate a rundown site, support students in purpose built, decent and affordable accommodation and enhance Colchester’s much-admired and envied arts and culture scene.

There has been so much misinformation about this proposed development that it’s only fair to set out some facts to put the record straight:

  •  There will be no packaging up of land to sell to foreign investors; that’s just a complete fabrication;
  • There will be some secure areas for the student blocks but there will be public rights of way running through the scheme;
  • The site has always been planned for a mixed use development and not a Public Open Space;
  • The adopted Masterplan from 2005 (approved by a Conservative-led administration) shows blocks broadly in the same arrangement as the Alumno plans with the same proximity to Firstsite;
  • A hotel has consistently been included on the Queen Street frontage in previous iterations;
  • The Rights of Way and covenant issues are currently being worked on and good progress is being made;
  • Purpose built student accommodation prevents much needed family homes being used for student occupation; it reduces pressure on the private rented sector and provides for purpose built accommodation to meet student needs in a secure and managed environment;
  • Students and hotel guests are a key economic driver that will help to regenerate the St Botolph’s area through their spending power;
  • The designer of Firstsite (Rafael Vinoly) conceived the building not as a stand-alone campus style development but rather knitted back into the urban fabric of the town;
  • The student accommodation does count against the council’s housing numbers but at a different ratio to domestic dwellings;
  • It will be a car free development, like University Quays at The Hythe in my ward which is more than twice the size and has not encountered problems with parking, pollution or congestion;
  • The plans are in line with the adopted Masterplan and the current and emerging Local Plans; these policy documents have been subject to extensive public consultation in the adoption process and are intended to provide a framework for future development;
  • Both the Design Council and Historic England have been engaged with the design process and are broadly supportive of the scheme.

The planning application has been lodged and is going through the process of checks, verifications and validations before going to planning committee for decision later this year where it will be decided on planning grounds alone.

I am not saying the plans are perfect or uncontroversial but Colchester wouldn’t have a number of its landmark buildings if we’d been afraid of being bold and imaginative; think of Jumbo, Firstsite, the Mercury probably even the Castle back in the day!

These plans will make a feature of the Roman wall, allow economic activity to flourish in this part of town and bring life, vibrancy and employment to the area.

I am glad to say the development has the support of the majority of the leading arts and creative venues in Colchester.

Alumno has delivered excellent developments around the UK, most recently in Norwich, to great acclaim and support.

It will deliver community and arts facilities and an enhanced public realm in addition to the well-designed buildings in our historic town. Bring it on I say!

Tim Young
Colchester councillor responsible for regeneration