Vistry has been selected by an institutional investor as the delivery partner for 122 PRS homes, along with 15 affordable rental homes, at the former Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) site in Colchester, Essex.
The scheme forms part of the wider Colchester Garrison regeneration masterplan, bringing the brownfield site back into productive use to deliver 203 sustainable, mixed-tenure homes in total, comprising 122 PRS units, 15 affordable rental homes and 66 homes for private sale through Countryside Homes.
The site forms part of the historic landscape surrounding the Roman Circus, a Scheduled Ancient Monument dating back to the early 2nd century AD. Vistry has worked closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including Historic England, to develop proposals that are sensitive to the site’s archaeological significance while supporting the long-term regeneration of the area.
Where the Roman Circus extends into the site, no homes will be built. Instead, this area will be preserved and enhanced as part of the development’s landscaped public realm, with a designated buffer zone and new public footpath introduced to help demarcate and interpret the route of the historic circus.
The scheme’s design approach responds directly to both the site’s historic and more recent military heritage. Key heritage features will be preserved while two listed buildings on the site will be retained and repurposed within the development.
To meet a range of local housing needs, Vistry will deliver the PRS and Affordable units first, with completions set for early 2028. The private sale homes are anticipated to follow in July 2028, with the full scheme expected to complete by May 2029.
Peter Willis, managing director at Vistry Group Eastern Home Counties, said: “Partnering with an institutional investor at the former ABRO site in Colchester marks an important step in delivering high-quality, mixed-tenure homes within a sensitive and historically significant setting. Forming part of the wider Garrison regeneration, the scheme demonstrates how PRS, Affordable and private sale homes can be successfully brought forward alongside the careful protection and enhancement of a nationally important heritage asset.”
“Working closely with Historic England and other key stakeholders, the plans have been designed to respect the legacy of the Roman Circus, ensuring areas of archaeological significance are preserved and enhanced within the scheme, while delivering much-needed new homes for Colchester.”
