CAMPAIGNERS have argued against a planning expert’s claims residents were fairly consulted over the controversial St Botolph’s plans.

Planning experts advised Colchester Council to withdraw one of its reasons for refusing Alumno’s student flats development, warning it would risk losing a planning appeal.

Nicky Parsons, executive director of planning at Pegasus Group, advised the council it will be unable to justify throwing out the application on the grounds of a lack of consultation.

However, Victoria Weaver, co-ordinator for Community Voice Colchester, said more direct talks were needed between the public and Alumno.

She said: “I think there was not enough consultation. We asked Alumno for a meeting and it never happened.

“There should have been more talks with the public.”

The first public consultation began in June last year and a public exhibition was held at Greyfriars Hotel in July. The original proposals attracted more than 400 objections although some traders based in the area supported the plans.

A second consultation was held at the turn of the year which drew in more than 700 objections.

Alumno had revised plans, in which the number of student rooms was reduced slightly, the western edge of the new buildings was moved 2.5 metres back from the historic Roman wall and the skyline was amended.

Campaigners were given just nine minutes to state their case against the revised plans at a planning committee meeting in February.

Alan Short, who has campaigned against the plans, said: “It’s appalling, they have only consulted with people in senior positions.

“We sent them two emails and they replied to the first one saying they would get back to us but never did, and they didn’t respond to the second one. When they found out there was opposition they just closed down and didn’t talk to anybody.”

Ms Parsons is one of a team of three who will help the council defend its decision to reject the developer’s plans for 336 students flats, an 87-bed Travelodge, retail units and public space.

The six-day planning inquiry starts in October. Colchester Council’s planning committee will next week decide whether to withdraw the reason and continue the appeal on the grounds of poor design and access.