A group of Takeley villagers have launched a campaign to save a five-acre wood which they say is threatened by development.

They fear that proposals by Countryside Properties plc to build around 700 houses in the Broadfield Road area of the village could destroy the 50-year-old woodland, which is a haven for wildlife.

Although no formal planning application has been submitted by Countryside, the company is now holding talks with the Uttlesford District Council and a master plan for the development is expected early in the new year.

It is expected to include a new road and a school, as well as houses.

The group, who live in 12 cottages in Broadfield Road, close to the wood, are this week sending letters of protest to the district council and Essex County Council, Essex Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Villager Rita Lang, who is spearheading the campaign, said that residents also feared that a possible new road, bisecting Broadfield Road, could become a "rat run."

She said: "This green area is a haven to a wide range of wildlife, including deer, rabbits, foxes, squirrels and birds including barn owls, tits, Eurasian jays, goldfinches, greenfinches, bullfinches, kestrels and greater spotted woodpeckers.

"If the woodland is destroyed then the wildlife will be left without a habitat in which to survive.

"As we see it, Countryside wants to destroy large greenfield areas within Takeley, and the village is not so abundant with green fields that we can afford to lose any of it."

John Bosworth, head of local plans at Uttlesford District Council, confirmed that talks were going on with Countryside and residents so that a development master plan could be developed.

"We hope to come up with proposals that will overcome local people's fears," he said.

"We are all concerned to get the appropriate development for this area that minimises the impact on existing residents.

"However, when 700 houses are proposed, there are clearly going to be changes."

John Oldham, director of Countryside Strategic Projects plc, confirmed that talks were still going on as to the exact form of the development.

Environment specialists had been at work on the site, he said, landscaping would feature in any scheme, and development could take place within existing woodland.

"We shall be working hard to create a decent environment," he said. "There is no intention to destroy habitats.

"We know that people value trees."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.