ACTIVISTS have created a tongue in cheek artistic protest against the controversial redevelopment of Colchester's so-called Cultural Quarter.

Members of Community Voice Colchester have created what they're calling, A Field for the Cultural Quarter, a piece of community art inspired by an iconic Anthony Gormley sculpture which is currently on display at the neighbouring Firstsite.

To mimic the Turner Prize winner Gormley's A Field for the British Isles the group has positioned more than 700 items of recycled plastic cutlery in the planters which form the area's community garden, on land off Queen Street.

Harwich and Manningtree Standard: A Field for the Cultural Quarter and A Field for the British Isles side-by-sideA Field for the Cultural Quarter and A Field for the British Isles side-by-side

Each represents an objection to the controversial proposals for the land, which drew almost unprecedented opposition from residents and campaigners.

A spokesman for Community Voice Colchester said: "These represent the people who lodged written objections to Alumno’s plans.

"Each one has a sad or angry face, expressing their feelings about the proposed development and making it clear to the decision makers they are being watched and their actions judged.

"Anyone is welcome to add their own characters to the crowd to register their opposition to the plans."

Alumno's proposals to build 336-student flats, an 87-bed Travelodge, retails units and public space were rejected by Colchester Council's planning committee in February.

However the firm appealed the decision and Planning Inspector Melvyn Middleton overturned the council's decision.

Colchester Council signed a 250-year lease agreement meaning it would receive a one-off payment of £980,881 if planning approval was agreed at any stage.

However Essex County Council, which holds a covenant over the old bus station site, put the breaks on the development earlier this month by announcing it would review this agreement before progress continued at the site.

Visit facebook.com/CommunityVoiceColchester.