AMBITIOUS plans have been submitted to build two office blocks as part of the ever-growing Knowledge Gateway development in Colchester.

University of Essex Knowledge Gateway Limited has applied to Colchester Council for permission to create an office development as part of Parkside 3 near Clingoe Hill, which is one of three employment sites identified by the council.

The plans are for a phased development of two four-storey buildings for office and research space.

If approved, there will be space for 132 cycle parking spaces.

A design statement submitted as part of the application says: “The proposal is to build this development within two phases.

“The intention is Building B, together with alterations to the Parkside 2 car park, will be developed first, together with required landscaping.

“Building A and the remainder of the landscaping will follow as a second phase of development subject to demand and funding at a later date.”

To support the parking requirements, the university had planning permission granted for an overflow car par providing 170 spaces and a temporary car park for 369 cars.

Parkside 3 would use the overflow car park and part of the temporary car park in Capon Road.

The long-term plan is for permanent parking capacity to be provided in a shared and decked car park on the opposite side of Boundary Road.

The Knowledge Gateway already offers office space at Parkside Office Village and the recently opened Innovation Centre plus student accommodation at The Meadows and The Copse.

The Knowledge Gateway is set to employ more than 2,000 people.

It already has more than 20 more resident companies and the Innovation Centre on site covers 38,000 square feet.

It provides the space plus the vital hands-on support to help 50 start-up companies.

It is also home to a state-of-the-art creative digital studio.

The site also has a £21 million carbon-neutral Essex Business School which opened in 2015.