A five-metre high chimney is the oddest feature of Colchester's newest park.

The 16-hectare site, as yet unnamed, is located on Shrub End's former rubbish tip, off James Carter Road.

Securely fenced but clearly visible, the flare stack burns off any gases that accumulate beneath the tons of soil used to fill the dump.

The tip is the second in Essex to be restored as open space by Essex County Council. It will be handed over to Colchester Council later this year.

Landfill engineer Diane Robson said: "The flare stack is in a corner of the site and is monitored on a full-time basis by the county council.

"It is a fairly usual thing on landfill sites these days. It is a way of preventing any risks from the gas. The fact that it is there means that residents are not in any danger."

Volunteers, including pupils from nearby Springlands nursery and Alderman Blaxill School, have planted 50 young oak trees in the final phase of an £80,000 landscaping scheme.

Nearly half the 38-acre area will be woodland, paid for by a Forestry Commission grant. Play facilities could be added subject to funding.

Published Tuesday, February 19, 2002