Manningtree station's 'Berlin Wall' set to be removed

Tendring Council has issued an enforcement notice calling on Essex train operator Greater Anglia to reverse car park extension work which had been completed at Manningtree station without planning permission.

The work included the installation of a sheet pile retaining wall, dubbed by angry campaigners as the “Berlin Wall of Manningtree”, which is about 190 metres long and 3.6 metres high at its peak.

The council has issued the notice after ruling there had been “breaches of planning control”.

Enforcement - the extended car park at Manningtree station (Image: Mike Barrett)

Train station bosses have been given until January 1 next year to reverse the work, which also included installing new lighting columns and an extra 236 parking spaces, though Greater Anglia has the right to appeal the decision.

Andy Baker, the councillor responsible for planning, said the benefits of increasing the car park’s capacity do not outweigh the harm to the surrounding area.

He said: “We understand the reasons for the works to increase capacity at the station car park, due to the popularity of the station; however, the impact of them is to cause unacceptable harm to the surrounding Dedham Vale area of outstanding natural beauty.

“Therefore, we are telling the operators that the car park needs to be returned to how it was before the development and are giving them nine months to do so – accepting that there may be an appeal which would pause this deadline.

“We have been seeing what solutions, if any, may be available before taking this step – and while we remain open to exploring further ways to resolve the issues created, we are acting to remedy the harm of the development.”

'Berlin Wall' - the structure was built in 2019 (Image: Charles Clover)

Manningtree councillor Carlo Guglielmi previously suggested creating a mural on the wall which he hoped would be a “solution which is acceptable to all parties”.

A spokesman for Greater Anglia said: “We are in receipt of an enforcement notice and are currently considering its terms.

“Greater Anglia will continue to work with the council to ensure appropriate parking facilities are provided at Manningtree station.”