COUNCIL bosses have weigh in over a dispute after residents called for a council rethink following a row over land.

Residents at Moorfield Court retirement complex are dismayed by Witham Town Council’s decision to make them clear a piece of land next to their garden.

The residents say they have tended to the council-owned land for more than 20 years and the council should have been more sympathetic.

A spokesman for the residents’ group said: “For many years we have cared for and enjoyed the use of a small piece of land adjoining our garden boundary.

“Last autumn, Witham Town Council informed our management company that the occupation of this land was illegal and we were told to clear the site.

“Earlier this year, a letter of appeal was sent to the council on behalf of residents in which we indicated that our management company’s decision did not reflect our views.

“Our letter pointed out the efforts we have made to keep the land in good condition, the benefits enjoyed by our community of residents through having access to the land and that, in more than 20 years of usage, no council official had ever objected.

“You can imagine our disappointment when the council’s reply continued to maintain legal justification for their action.”

Residents claim the council offered to license the land for an “astonishing” amount of money.

The spokesman said: “We do not have the money to meet the annual licence fee the council is demanding, and are frankly astonished at the sum involved.”

Witham Town Council has defended its position. A spokesman said: “The council is fully sympathetic to the concerns raised, but has never issued a formal request for any kind of payment from any of the residents. It is now understood our correspondence to the landlord was shared on a residents’ noticeboard without our consent or knowledge, which has led to unfortunate rumours over our management of the land.”

“The council has tried to engage with the management of Moorfield Court, but is consistently met with no reply.

“The town council is prevented from gifting public land to residents for their exclusive use under various legislation but can offer tenancies or licences by negotiation.

They added: “The land in question is managed at the expense of all of Witham’s taxpayers, and so it is only fair that the land is protected for public use. In the case of the land adjoining Moorfield Court, the total area is some 11,900 square feet and forms part of the Back Channel nature reserve, a sensitive area of ecological interest that is designated for preservation, enhancement and protection from any kind of development.

“The council is due to assess options for use of this land, including converting the space to a wildflower meadow for the benefit of all inhabitants and local ecology to help offset the loss of the Gimsons land, also adjacent to Moorfield Court.

“The council was approached by residents to oppose the Gimsons development in order to protect the River Walk as a public open space, so it goes that we must protect all open public space regardless of who may be trying to use it for alternative purposes. If the town council granted rights to every resident who wished to use a piece of the River Walk as a private garden, then there would be no River Walk left for local citizens to enjoy, or nature to call its home.”