A TWO-day 'protest' against plans dubbed as Colchester's 'cultural slaughter' is set to take place this weekend.

The event, which will take place behind the Curzon between 1pm and 5pm tomorrow and Sunday, will see a number of musicians come together while others will come dressed in togas to celebrate Colchester's Roman culture.

Organisers hope the event will make more people aware of the controversial plans, which will see more than 300 student flats built on the the old bus station site, which the popular Waiting Room made its home.

A performance space and public realm space are also planned but critics have pointed to flaws in the scheme's design, which will also cut off the view of Firstsite.

Event co-organiser Andy Skene, who runs the nearby Queen Street Brewhouse, said: "The whole things just feels a little rushed and we do not believe Colchester has been consulted on this anywhere near enough and the council hasn't given a lot of time to comment on it."

Consultation is due to end on Wednesday.

Mr Skene added: "There are people who don't know this is happening and this is a huge thing for the town."

The pub owner also raised concerns over a lack of consideration for deliveries to the businesses at the top of Queen Street and also said he had not been consulted in a business survey carried out in the area, which stated the vast majority of firms supported the plans.

Council bosses have defended the plans, saying it is the best and more workable scheme which has been put forward for the site. 

The plans have proved to be divisive, with senior Lib Dem Martin Goss labelling the opposition as 'loony lefties' in a critical letter.

He did, however, apologise for using the phrase.