An action group today pledged to halt proposals for a new community centre outside its village.

Protesting - members of the Tiptree Action Group at the site in Pods Wood where a landowner wants to build the new village community centre. Picture: STEVE ARGENT 41225-3

Residents have spent two years raising funds for a community centre on the former Tiptree Book Services site in Church Road.

But the Gazette revealed local landowner Paul Hiller will donate ten acres of land in Colchester Road to the village for the scheme.

Colchester Council has now got a joint outline planning application from the parish council and Mr Hiller.

Campaigners against the plans will be going to Tiptree Parish Council meeting on Monday evening at 7.30pm at Thurstable School to protest.

Marion Permaul, of the action group, claimed the site being considered for the centre was a conservation area.

She said: "The site is totally impractical for most villagers to access and will destroy one of the few remaining beauty spots on the edge of the village."

Published Friday, February 25, 2005

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