A COMPLEX made up of cafés and shops could become a focal point within a new residential development.

A reserved matters application has been submitted by Mersea Homes for a multi-use building at the Chesterwell development in the north of Colchester.

This building will be specifically for retail, commercial and community uses and will be made up of a mixture of shops, restaurants and apartments.

The building will be part of the so-called neighbourhood centre within the development.

If plans are approved, the ground floor will have three commercial units, while the first floor will have a commercial unit and a two-bed apartment.

The second floor will have three two-bed apartments.

A design statement submitted to Colchester Council said: “The building will be located within the northern part of the neighbourhood centre and will front on to the urban square/plaza.

“The public realm immediately in front of the proposed multi-use building will have a clear distinct public realm that differentiates it from the main urban square/plaza.

“This is an important feature that visually highlights the functional relationship of this open space within the wider context and specifically, its role as place to meet, sit and relax at the proposed ground floor units, which could be occupied by a café or a restaurant.”

A new primary school and secondary school, sport and recreational facilities will also be delivered as part of the wider Chesterwell site.

Essex County Council had originally said a new secondary school would open at the Chesterwell site in Mile End this year. However, it is now thought Trinity Academy, set to take 180 pupils per year, will not open until 2021.

Some parents on the 1,600-home estate applying for places in Year 7 this year have been offered Colchester Academy - four miles away.

In the council’s ten year schools provision plan, it says: “Trinity College is a free school in the pre-opening phase. A site has been secured through a Section 106 agreement. There is a significant amount of new housing planned and pupil numbers are being monitored closely.”