ATTEMPTS to bring “war game scenarios” to a Maldon woodland were rejected at a council meeting this evening.

Plans were submitted to bring the extremely popular Nerf Wars and laser tag games to the council-owned Millennium Woods in Promenade Park.

Ian Dobney, of KI Combat, submitted an application back in April for a shipping container to be placed on the land as a main office with the activities running in the woods.

This evening councillors at Maldon District Council rejected the plans, which were described the activities as “anti-social” and “warmongering” at a previous planning meeting.

It followed objections from some residents, the council’s countryside and environmental officers, the Maldon Society, Maldon Town Council and Friends of Prom Park.

The plans were recommended for refusal on the grounds the proposal would have a significant detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area and it was not demonstrated there would be no harm on the enjoyment or safety of nearby areas.

Councillors also found it failed to meet policies in the local development plan and it was not demonstrated there would be no detrimental effect on the ecology of the site.

Tree officer Jackie Gilbert claimed the proposal would “destroy this area and much of the developing vegetation” in Millennium Wood.

Her report said: “The proposal will reduce the habitat/species diversity and therefore undermine the future potential of the wood to become a local beauty spot and support its full potential of species.”

The decision was taken to follow the officer’s recommendation and reject the plans, with Councillor Mark Durham saying: “I do not think personally that this is the right thing to have in Promenade Park.

“We need to be more commercial, but not at all costs. Given the current social difficulties that this country has, I do not think that this is right.”