Greater Anglia's Manningtree 'Berlin Wall' angers residents

Manningtree’s 'Berlin Wall' was built in 2019 as part of an extension to Manningtree station’s car park, providing an extra 226 parking spaces.

However, Charles Clover, who is the chairman of the Dedham Vale Society, says the wall has “blighted the gateway to the area of outstanding natural beauty”.

For almost four years Mr Clover has been challenging whether it was legally built, after learning planning permission had not been sought.

'Berlin Wall' - The structure was constructed in 2019 (Image: Charles Clover)

Mr Clover said: “If they had applied for planning permission there would’ve been discussions about landscaping and trees and how the lighting was done, and they certainly wouldn’t have got away with the ‘Berlin Wall’."

Mr Clover added he is disappointed by the response of the ward councillors, claiming they have failed to push the council to take enforcement action against Greater Anglia, warning the council is “in danger of undermining the law”.

He added: “We are going to write to the Secretary of State, and we will take Tendring Council to the Local Authority Ombudsman if they do not apply the law.”

Lawford, Manningtree and Mistley councillor Carlo Guglielmi said he hopes his suggestion of creating a mural on the wall is a “solution which will be acceptable to all parties”.

Expansion - The structure was constructed as part of car park expansion works at Manningtree station (Image: Charles Clover)

Mr Guglielmi, who is also the deputy leader of Tendring Council, explained: “I’m trying to get the council to suggest to Greater Anglia this is the best way forward.

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“The alternative would be enforcing it’s moved which would be horrendous and cause a very lengthy legal battle with lots of parties involved.”

Mr Guglielmi has a meeting booked with the council’s planning director later this week to further discuss his suggestions and added “the council should look to put it to Greater Anglia that they should be paying for the work”.

“For me, that would be the best way to deal with the issue,” added Mr Guglielmi.

Action - Ward councillor Carlo Guglielmi will be meeting with the council's planning director to discuss the next steps (Image: Archant)

Dora Nichols is the neighbouring landowner and thinks the construction of the wall is “totally inappropriate for an area of outstanding natural beauty”.

“No-one is particularly objecting to the fact there’s a car park,” explained Ms Nichols.

“If Greater Anglia moved the wall back and planted trees and shrubs in front of it, and if it was screened adequately, that could be a sensible solution.

“The wall, as it is, is graffitied. A mural will get graffitied too.”

Campaigner - Charles Clover has been fighting against the construction of the 'Berlin Wall' for nearly four years

A Tendring Council spokesman said the case was a complex one and therefore would take longer to resolve.

He added: “Our legal position on this matter, and the range of next steps available to the site owners, is clear.

“Enforcement is a process, not any one specific action, and we continue to discuss the options with the owners to enable a final decision on next reasonable steps to take place.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further while this process is ongoing.”

The operator of Manningtree station, Greater Anglia, said it is in regular contact with council officials.

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “We are considering our options in relation to the car park extension works at Manningtree station. We are in regular contact with Tendring Council to reach a positive outcome.”