Campaigners in Takeley are calling on the council to protect the Flitch Way from development.

Weston Homes has proposed to build eight homes at the former Takeley Service Station in Dunmow Road, including associated parking and landscaping works.

The Friends of the Flitch Way - which formed as a charity in 2004 - said they received "a number of complaints" from the public regarding building encroachment and tree felling at the development, which they passed on to Essex Property Services.

In April this year, as the Friends had not received a response, they submitted a Freedom of Information request to Essex Property Services, asking for information on the Boundary Agreement Schedule to protect the site - specifically the financial sum agreed in a land dispute settlement in November.

The response came back in early June, and stated that the amount received through the settlement is subject to a confidentiality clause and cannot be disclosed.

A Friends of the Flitch Way spokesperson said: "The Flitch Way is a Local Wildlife Site and has also been designated as a Local Nature Reserve and as such should be offered good protection by the authorities.  

"The Flitch Way is a special place and we feel totally let down by the way our and the wider public concerns have been handled by ECC Property Services.  

"Over the last 10 years our volunteers have put in over 50,000 voluntary hours to manage and promote the Flitch Way.  

"We have made every effort to assist the Essex Country Parks team to protect the Flitch Way for future Essex generations to enjoy as an important wildlife friendly greenway covering a third of the breadth of Essex.  

"We know from the many comments we get on social media that local people really appreciate and value the Flitch Way.  

"Let us hope this a one-off shameful incident never to be repeated by ECC."

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “We are working to establish a detailed photographic record of the boundaries surrounding the Flitch Way.

"Country Park colleagues are also monitoring any potential encroachments and communicating with our valued volunteers and friends groups such as the Friends of the Flitch Way.

"Any potential issues will be reported and, where appropriate, legal action can be pursued.

"Monitoring these issues remains a focus for our Country Park teams.

"We’re also continuing to identify how we can fund and establish a better record for all land along the Flitch Way in order to ensure we have a more robust position ahead of any future developments."

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The Friends of the Flitch Way first became concerned about building encroachment on the Flitch Way near Takeley in 2016, and worked with the Country Parks rangers to protect it.

Work with Essex County Council, the group produced a management plan which was agreed by the Country Parks team and Natural England, and in 2019 Flitch Way was designated a Local Nature Reserve.

The planning application, which has been approved, can be viewed by searching UTT/22/2185/FUL on Uttlesford District Council's planning portal.