PLANS to turn a much-loved wildlife area in Witham into "concrete city" have been condemned by angry community leaders.

Spring Lodge Community Centre manager Wayne Gale has vowed to fight to the end to stop bulldozers concreting over a pond and wildlife area at the centre.

The fears come after Braintree Council submitted plans to provide 52 additional car parking spaces at the site.

He has pledged to fight the issue with "iron hammers" in a bid to stop a car park being built over the green area behind the centre in Powers Hall End.

Council planners argue it is an unavoidable measure as car parking spaces have to be created as an area of the land is earmarked for housing development.

Part of the land has been sold, subject to planning approval, to Westbury Homes and planners point out parking provisions have to be made if the development for 128 two-bedroom flats, a St John Ambulance building and Scouts hut goes ahead.

Mr Gale said: "It will be concrete city.

"It will reduce our garden by 50 per cent which will have a devastating impact on us.

"Wedding pictures are taken in the garden and it also provides a green area for children to play in.

"It has a lot of potential and I'd like to see money invested into it for benches and flower beds to make it a real community asset.

"There is a piece of wasteland at the back of the community centre which could be used for the car park instead.

"I intend to fight this with iron hammers."

Braintree Council asset manager Andrew Epsom said: "These concerns are a little too late.

"We have been involved in consultation with the community for the last 18 months over this.

"We have to sell that piece of land for development so improvements on community halls across the district can be carried out.

A council spokesman added the piece of wasteland has been earmarked designated as green open space in the Local Plan and is protected for at least ten years.

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Published Friday, November 18, 2005

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