REASSURANCES have been given over the future of a public wood.

Birch Wood Local Wildlife site is situated in the south east of Tiptree.

Following the sale of the site, which was previously owned by Wilkin and Sons, residents have expressed concerns about possibilities of it being used for a housing development.

The 13.1 acre woodland and reservoir was sold by auction for £168,000.

Braintree and Witham Times:

The land was sold under an agreement which prohibits any development.

A building on the site is leased by the KYDS Youth Drama Society and the reservoir is licenced to the Kelvedon and District Angling Association for fishing.

In the Colchester Borough Local Plan for 2017 to 2033, it states that 600 new dwellings will be built in Tiptree.

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However, the council has assured residents the Birch Wood site would be unsuitable for development and plans would not be supported.

A spokesperson for Colchester Council, which deals with the planning in Tiptree, said: “The site is allocated in the Adopted Local Plan Section 2 as public open space.

“It forms part of a larger allocation, including public open space, forming part of the adjacent Nine Acres housing scheme nearing completion.

“The area is densely wooded. None of this land is developable and development would not be supported on the site, as that would be contrary to the adopted Local Plan.”