SIX years ago, it was hoped the Hythe would be Colchester’s answer to London’s famous South Bank.

The plan was to create a platform for new businesses and community groups, which would bring a new lease of life to the area.

However, it is now a different story for the people behind community land trust, Hythe Forward.

With no income and no land to transform, the organisation is in limbo.

Things went quiet for Hythe Forward at the beginning of the year, and questions were raised over its future.

Chairman Richard Bailey said due to a “lack of support from the council” and other developers, the group has been at a loss.

He said: “We were set up originally to own and manage land for the interest of the community.

“We have no land to manage; we have never been given any.

“We have worked very hard with a number of stakeholders over the years but we can’t exist without income, and we have none.”

In 2012 Colchester Council and Colchester Borough Homes gave £30,000 to help cover the costs of launching.

At the time residents were encouraged to donate £1 to become a member of Hythe Forward.

Richard added: “I think we have about £80 in donations from when we asked people if they would be stakeholders.

“It’s not enough money to spend on anything and we never intended to do anything with it; it was like a badge to recognise people as members.

“It wouldn’t be hard to get it back to people if they wanted it.

“It’s frustrating to know we have not got the support we needed. I’m disappointed.

“We have done a number of small things locally but that wasn’t the objective of the trust; we have been eclipsed by other things.”

In 1984, London’s South Bank residents grouped together to fundraise and buy 13 acres of derelict land, where there are now homes, shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes, and a park and riverside walkway.

There was no reason why the Hythe could not offer the same vision.

However knock-backs continued to emerge in July when proposals by present and former Premier League footballers to transform part of the Hythe hit the post.

The Legacy Foundation, run by former England captain Rio Ferdinand, fellow former Hammer Bobby Zamora and West Ham club captain Mark Noble, put forward plans to overhaul parts of the area to build hundreds of homes and state of the art sports facilities.

Tens of thousands of pounds were needed to fund a land decontamination project before any building can take place. But a cash bid to the Government’s National Housing Infrastructure Fund failed, and a Plan B has not emerged.

The Hythe Forward website says it is “taking time out whilst new voluntary board members are sought to carry out the good work this Community Land Trust is seeking to continue”.

It said: “The Hythe story to date has been one of partial regeneration and frustrated ambition.

“Now, through the establishment of the first community land trust in Essex, we have the chance to do things differently.

“The purpose of a CLT is to put local residents, businesses, landowners and community groups in the driving seat. At this stage we have a vision statement to make the Hythe a safe, attractive and prosperous place to live, work and do business. Precisely how we deliver against these aims will depend on the opportunities that emerge and the wishes of members.”

Anyone interested can contact r.bailey@hytheforward.org.uk.