A DISUSED site is set to be used to store cars repossessed by the DVLA before plans to build houses on it are brought forward.

Essex-based Quirebuild Ltd has submitted plans to Colchester Council asking to use the land in the Hythe in Colchester to be used for the storage of vehicles.

The 2.78 hectare site where Haven Road meets King Edward Quay is split across two sections and has been vacant for years.

The area was set to be regenerated as part of the Rio Ferdinand-backed Legacy proposals, which would have seen hundreds of homes and state-of-the-art sports facilities built.

However, due to the cost plans stalled when the parties involved could not secure outside funding to assist with the regeneration.

The new proposals submitted to the council say the applicant wants to lease the site to Marston Recovery, who help recover and store cars for the DVLA.

It says the firm, which has another depot in Tilbury, wants to reduce its carbon footprint by utilising a second site in the north of the county.

The plans say the site would be leased for two years while work on proposals for a mix of commercial and residential development is completed.

The bid said the housing plans were “likely to take some time” and the land owner wanted to put the site to “beneficial use”.

It said: “In the interim temporary permission is being sought to assist a business which has a real lack of suitable premises in the Essex area.

“The period permission is being sought is for two years. The land will be leased for this period and used in the manner proposed.

“Although there has been use of the site for industrial/commercial purposes the site currently has no beneficial use and is considered to detract from the character and appearance of the area.”

The plans will now be considered by Colchester Council which will have the final say.