THE failed Vineyard Gate project will be discussed by a council committee.

Tory Christopher Arnold invited Colchester Council leader Paul Smith (Lib Dem) to a scrutiny meeting to share the authority’s revised plans for the town centre site.

The scheme was debated fiercely by councillors on Thursday night after a motion, proposed by Conservative group leader Dennis Willetts, stated the the opposition’s “disappointment” the £65 million retail-led project had been abandoned, seemingly because of the immediate impact of the £70 million Tollgate Village.

Mr Arnold said: “I was surprised to discover Vineyard Gate has vanished from the strategic plan.

“There was nothing there at all, no explanation as to what’s happened.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate when something has been a piece of council policy for as long as this has, that we should suddenly learn it’s been dropped in the way it has by seeing it in our local newspaper.

“That’s not the way I hope we’re going to do business in the future.

“I will try and steer an a-political course on the scrutiny panel, and do my best to understand what’s coming down the track at us.”

READ MORE: £70M VINEYARD GATE SHOPPING CENTRE PLANS DROPPED

Mr Willetts accused the ruling cabinet of having had no enthusiasm for the project, first mooted some 15 years ago.

Speaking during the full council meeting, he cited a “decade of failure”.

He added: “The Conservative vision includes a significant increase in multi-storey parking, a natural extension of Eld Lane style of shopping with a concentration of boutique retailing.

“Conservatives propose a prime visitor attraction, similar in scale to York’s Yorvic centre, creating a Colchester Roman experience depicting everyday life in Roman Colchester.”

Councillors voted in favour of the motion as amended by Mr Smith, which stated unanimous support for a “new approach” to the project.

It added: “A fresh look is required which may include residential, leisure, street scene and entertainment, in addition to retail development”.

Listen to the full debate by clicking here and going to 'Vineyard Gate'.