The long running dispute between villagers in High Ongar and the Mulberry House conference centre has escalated into a pitch battle.

Residents are complaining over a plan to use land at the 18th Century former rectory for cricket. They say the square is too close to houses and the busy A414.

Now High Ongar conservation group The Parish Yeomanry is sending Letters of Intent to Mulberry House plus councillors and both the Epping Forest District Council legal and planning departments.

The letters warn the recipients that they will be held legally responsible if injury or damage is caused to pedestrians or vehicles through cricket being played on the pitches.

Yeomanry vice-chairman and parish councillor Derek Berwin said that protesters are also concerned about a Mulberry House application involving hedging and trees which, they say, will interfere with the view.

They also allege that the planting was intended for land which the applicants did not own and which they did not have permission to change of use from agriculture to sports use.

Cllr Berwin said: "A condition was imposed that a landscaping plan be submitted within six months.

"Last April a plan was belatedly put before planning officers. It showed cricket fields within 51 metres of housing, The Street and the A414. After complaints by villagers it was withdrawn but has now been resubmitted."

Residents also accuse Mulberry House of waiting until the last moment to lodge its revised plan leaving them too little time to respond.

An Epping Forest spokeswoman said: "Planning permission was granted in September 1996 for the site to be used for recreational purposes.

"Part of the permission required Mulberry House to provide a scheme for landscaping which they have recently done. The item will be heard at the plans committee on Monday.

"When the proposals were submitted local residents were contacted and given 14 days to put forward any comments they had. High Ongar Parish Yeomanry were given an extension."

The new wrangle follows a three-year dispute between the village and the conference centre's owners, Mulberry House Ministry Trust and PFE International, Loughton.

A year ago a planning inspector turned down their appeals against two council enforcement notices. They were ordered to dig up a 237sq metre terrace plus steps and a wall and 122 metres of fencing, described as "dark and obtrusive" was ordered to be taken down.

Mulberry House was unavailable for comment.

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