A £50,000 quad biking operation has been set up in a quiet village, five months after the first plans were abandoned.

The scheme is being run on a temporary basis, while full permission is sought.

The idea was first unveiled in January in a bid to bring more people to the countryside.

Ed Abbott submitted a planning application to Tendring Council for a quad biking track at Spinnels Farm, on land between Spinnels Lane and Bradfield Road.

He was hoping the £50,000 scheme would open this summer. He explained the trek would last for up to an hour, much of it on hilly terrain.

But there was opposition from Bradfield Road residents and Wix councillors, who claimed it would be a disaster for the quiet village and peaceful countryside.

They voiced fears about the impact on the environment and the threat to wildlife, the loss of visual amenities and the increased traffic in the narrow Spinnels Lane.

Two months later the application was withdrawn. But now, an application has again been made to Tendring Council.

And in the meantime, quad biking is going ahead for a few days each week, mainly on Saturdays and Sundays.

Mr Abbott said: "We are allowed to do this for 28 days without planning consent under permitted development."

The short track is on a three-acre field, with five bikes available.

"We are seeing if it is commercially feasible," said Mr Abbott.

Graham Mellor, vice-chairman of Wix Parish Council, said councillors were aware of the situation and some had been to view the track.

He added he had not heard of any complaints and the parish council would discuss the application when details were received from the district council.

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