TEMPERS flared as opponents fired shots at each other over Colchester’s controversial ‘cultural quarter’ plans.

Colchester Council’s ruling cabinet met last night to agree the commercial details of the potential land transfer to developer Alumno - if planning permission for its scheme is awarded next year.

The group has put forward plans to build more than 300 student flats as well as public realm areas.

It also plans to open up the northern side of the town’s Roman wall along Priory Street.

But the proposals have attracted more than 400 objections with relatively few letters of support.

During a fiery discussion, Labour campaigner Alan Short and former Lib Dem MP-turned-High Steward, Sir Bob Russell, questioned the ruling cabinet.

Referring to the details of the commercial agreement with Alumno, Sir Bob said: “My question to the cabinet is; why now? Why do it while there is a live planning application?

“For the cabinet to agree this will rise suspicions that the planning department is being bounced into making a decision.

“Await the planning decision and you will have a clear idea of what is happening.”

Much of the detail of the agreement was decided upon in private after the press and public were excluded.

But Sir Bob pressed the cabinet, asking: “How long is the long lease? And what is the value of the capital receipt?”

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Although no answers were given, it is understood the lease will be for more than 200 years.

Fellow speaker Dorian Kelly - an outspoken critic of Alumno’s plans - suggested Colchester Council would bag about £2.4m in the deal.

But that sum is understood to be significantly off the mark, with the true figure believed to be closer to £1m.

Mr Short also asked the cabinet when the notes of meetings Colchester Council representatives have had with Alumno would be published.

But he was told by council chief executive Adrian Pritchard there would be no publication.

He added: “In any development such as this, or any programme or project such as this, we would certainly sit down with a developer and do a commercial negotiation arrangement. All of it is dependant on the developer getting planning permission.”

“If you don’t get planning permission, there is no deal.”