COLCHESTER Council wants a multi-million pound leisure park to be built to the north of the town.

The council is marketing land to the south and east of the Weston Homes Community Stadium in a bid to attract developers.

It could mean a cinema, bowling alley, skating rink, hotel and restaurants could be built on the barren land, which has attracted travellers in recent months.

Property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton have been appointed to market the 18 acres.

Paul Smith, leader of Colchester Council, said: “We are really looking for some sort of leisure-related use and some sort of employment through leisure as well.

“You could be looking at bowling, skating, a hotel or indeed a cinema in that space.

“It would certainly be a multi-million pound development.

“For us, it is a case of ‘if you have more facilities there, then more people will go there’.

“The park and ride provides excellent transport links to the area.”

The new council leader also said the development is vital for the town as it expands, adding: “We want to make Colchester a self-sufficient town and not just a town where people commute to London for work and leisure.

“We have got to have jobs and entertainment, things for people to do in Colchester, rather than everyone thinking they have to go elsewhere.”

Mr Smith said the council hopes for companies to take sites on long-term leases rather than buying it outright, which would give a regular income.

The former finance boss said the council had delayed marketing the land until car showrooms took up their spots in Axial Way.

He added: “Colchester Northern Gateway will be an attractive and sustainable destination for sports, leisure and business.

“The site complements the wider plans for the growth of new communities at sites across north Colchester.

“This developed land represents a significant opportunity to create jobs, which will boost economic growth in north Colchester and across the borough.”

The council has previously resisted calls for out-of-town cinemas on the grounds of protecting the town centre.

Mr Smith said the site would be for companies which did not generally open in town centres, but looked for larger premises to open in.

The site is part of Colchester Council’s approved Northern Gateway Vision, which was published in 2012 and was already earmarked for leisure use.