onionbagblog

It’s a slightly strange spelling of that lot from the other side of the Colne, but the Gazette is reporting that Row-hedge Wharf has received a planning application to build 170 new homes.

Bli-mey.

“Developer Wharf Land Investments wants to build 170 homes and either a doctor’s surgery or business centre at the derelict industrial site.”

It would seem that the resubmitted plans are a climb down from the original application made last year for 300 homes. More than sixty Rowhedge locals formally opposed the plans, leaving the Planning Committee at Colchester Borough Council to reject the first set of proposals.

An open day was staged earlier this year, and it appears that developer Wharf Land Investments has been taking on board the views put forward by folk in the village. Project Manager Rafe Holt told the Gazette:

“It is 170 units, of which nine will be polyfunctional [urgh] which means they have an area on the ground floor which could be used for commercial uses, if someone wanted to set up a butchers or something like that. It reflects the existing character of the village and it should be a seamless addition.”

I’m not so sure that 170 new builds opposite Wivenhoe will appear so seamless to the landscape, but at least some use for the derelict site is being considered. The plans are expected to go before Colchester Borough Council sometime in the spring of 2011.

One to watch out for - quite literally.

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