This scheme is part of the Northern Gateway development near to A12 junction-28 and the Football stadium.  It involved the relocation of the rugby club from Mill Road to land outside the A12 - a good idea which potentially releases valuable development land and provides an enviable facility for the community. 

But the implementation has been poor.  £30m has been spent on the new facilities but there have been no land sales to pay back the debt.

The Rugby Club moved in spring 2021 and nothing has happened since – no houses, no offices, no health facilities – the Council has even granted itself planning permission but there has been no sale, no development – nothing apart from further expenditure and dithering from the Lib-Dem & Labour Administration that controls the Council.

The delays are currently costing the Council approx £200,000 per month, money that could have been spent on playgrounds, planning staff that answer the phone and any number of other public services.  The project is a major contributor to Colchester Council’s operating deficit which is projected to rise to £3m next financial year.

The LibDem & labour Administration has belatedly realised that the land must be sold. But instead of exposing it to the open market, the sale process is restricted to housing associations only, a political approach which, based on garden community figures, will result in a £5-10m shortfall and an unbalanced new community.  It may also be illegal. 

Colchester’s Conservatives City Councillors would like to see the land sold to professional developers who can focus on delivery rather than politics. It shouldn’t be sold at under-value for political purposes.

Conservatives alternative plan would realise more cash, be implemented more quickly AND identifies an opportunity to provide more social housing nearby. 

2025-08-03

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