VACANT offices and a warehouse could be demolished and replaced with seven small business units, creating 40 jobs.

BMO Real Estate Partners has applied for planning permission to demolish an vacant office, Roman House, and a warehouse, in Mason Road, off Cowdray Avenue, Colchester.

The developer wants to build seven business, industrial and storage units on the site as well as redeveloping the adjoining car park which is used by Go Banana’s as an overflow parking area.

The site is opposite Persimmon Homes’ 262 home development at former business park the Cowdray Centre, plans for which were rubber stamped by the planning committee in April.

Halstead Gazette:

A design and access statement prepared by Stanley Bragg Architects states: “The property owner has been unable to secure new tenants as the building does not meet industry standards or exceptions.

“The refurbishment to meet current industry standards has shown not to be viable for the current market.”

Outline planning permission for industrial units on the site was granted back in 2015, however, the owner has now come forward with concrete designs.

The statement continues: “The proposed design has been influenced by the need to retain the existing electrical sub-station and the development around it.

“The consent for the adjacent housing development has led to the north to south linear design, so as to mitigate any visual or noise impact upon the residential development.”

It adds: “The site is within an identified sustainable location, and is within the north Colchester area, which is an area identified for growth and regeneration.”

Flexible partitions would be used in the new units to allow for multiple occupancy of the spaces and documents state mezzanines could be made available for tenants to provide extra space.

Estimates say the new units would bring 40 jobs to the site, while 41 parking spaces will be provided, as well as cycle storage and motorbike parking.

Colchester Council will have the final say on the plans.