Work on restaurant development at Stane Park finally begins

Stane Leisure Park, opposite Sainsbury's, in Stanway, is set to open in August next year and will become home to popular cafes and restaurants Nandos, Bella Italia, Starbucks and KFC.

A McMullens pub is also due to move in.

Initial plans by Churchmanor Estates were turned down by Colchester Council early last year but the proposals were given the go ahead on appeal a year ago.

As part of the plans, the developers will stump up £350,000 to widen London Road at its junction with the Western Bypass.

Stephen Clark, managing director of Churchmanor Estates, said: "It is pleasing to finally start work on a our leisure scheme and we very much look forward to its opening next summer.

"We have taken great care over the design layout and landscaping within the scheme and we are pleased to be able to bring these much needed facilities to the residents of Stanway."

The building contract has been won by Manningtree-based Rose Builders.

Mr Clark added: "Rose Builders have carried out several successful developments with us in the past and we are very much looking forward to working with them on this prestigious scheme."

Steven Rose, of Rose Builders, said: "We are delighted to be working with Churchmanor once again on this scheme and playing our part in the creation of what we believe will be an attractive leisure facility."

Colchester Council bosses said the land has been designated as for employment and should be used for offices or warehouses rather than leisure or retails.

But a planning inspector said Colchester already had 65 years' worth of undeveloped employment land, so allowed the appeal.

He also said the development is unlikely to impact the town centre.