Bid to transform Ramsey public land into private garden

The land in Paddocks Lane, Ramsey, was originally as a green corridor for nature.

Plans to extend a neighbouring garden on to the land received four objections and four supporting comments.

But objection comments raised concerns about wildlife living in the area.

Oscar Dimoglu objected to the plans.

He said: "As an environmental science student, I see how important it is to maintain green spaces within new building developments to prevent habitat fragmentation.

"This is what protects our wildlife, so removing allocated green spaces gets rid of important habitat for insects and birds.

"Because the original planning consent was given on the mutual agreement that this nature corridor was created, it seems unethical to now consider removing it.

"I am concerned that the current or future owners of the property could develop this land or use it in a non nature-friendly way so I feel it is our duty to protect a natural habitat now.

"Hedgehogs, already in decline, used the corridor regularly to visit our garden, along with many other mammals and invertebrates."

He added: "On a separate note, the nature corridor, which runs alongside our property, offered us a great deal of privacy and this was one of the main reasons we moved here.

"When it was moved without notice and incorporated into the adjoining garden, it had an enormous and negative impact on us.

"To have no neighbours at all on the longest stretch of our property to suddenly having a neighbouring garden butting right up to us has changed things greatly."

But other residents hope the land will now be maintained better. 

Emma Shaw said: "The area in question has always been an unused piece of land that hasn't been maintained.

"I fully support their plans to turn it into a garden. In comparison, the green space on The Paddocks has never been kept to a high standard and often looks neglected.

"If the land remains as community space, there's a strong chance it will continue to become overgrown, untidy, and potentially attract anti-social behaviour, especially as it's located in a quiet dead-end.

"Turning it into a well-kept garden would be a big improvement for the area and help ensure it's used positively rather than left to deteriorate."

Tendring Council approved the plans.