Copford residents protest against plans for new eco-homes

2008 Angora Bare Trusts wants to build the new properties on land next to Copford Village Hall, in School Road, bordering Pits Wood.

Each of the homes on the new estate, called Grenestrete, will be capable of achieving better than net zero emissions, boasting solar rooftops and electric charging ports.

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But residents have hit out at the plans, claiming while they might help the planet, they will do significant damage to Pits Wood and its wildlife.

Dozens of objections have been submitted to the planning application online and a group of about 15 residents took to the streets with placards opposing the scheme.

Organiser Joanna Carr, 43, who now lives in New Town, Colchester, grew up in a house located next door to the site.

She said: “These woods are hundreds of years old and should not be disturbed.

“They mean so much to me, they are where I want my ashes to be scattered after I die.

“The woods are protected and there are numerous animal species which live on this land.

“The new homes would disturb the likes of badgers, bats, woodpeckers and pheasants which live there. Once these animals are gone they will never come back.

“All the residents of the village are concerned and do not want these homes built here.

“There have been applications for this area of land before and residents are concerned the development will lead to more new houses in the future.”

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As part of the plans, the developer is set to provide 31 new parking spaces for the nearby village hall, however, Copford Village Hall Management Committee has objected the proposals.

The group said: “The volume of traffic and increasing speed on two bends in the road with extra car parking will increase the hazards and accidents to school children and the community with all the school drop offs.”