Visions of a lush green country park are set to at last become reality for Wickford's Wick estate.

Councillors have backed detailed plans to develop 46-acres of land and agreed to ask local residents for their views on what the park should include.

It will, however, feature a six-acre fishing lake, picnic area, information centre and children's adventure playground.

Five acres will be left as a grassland habitat for skylarks and insects and a stream which runs through the two meadows may be used to create ponds.

The site, accessed from Tresco Way, also has two war-time pill boxes, one of which could be converted into a habitat for bats.

About 12 acres in the western area will be left for walking, informal ball games and kiteflying.

Footpaths suitable for the disabled will be created and woodlands planted in the north-east and north-west corners of each site.

The Wick had been promised a proper park since building work first began more than a decade ago.

Legal negotiations over land held up the development last year, much to the frustration of local councillors.

Councillor Malcolm Buckley (Con, Wickford South) said he was delighted the plans were now moving ahead.

He said: "This is something we have been after for a very long time, and we had hoped it would be in place a long, long time ago."

He added that he would also like to see a small area hard-surfaced for basketball and rollerblading.

The councillors agreed to ask for that to be built as soon as possible and for a walkway to be created to Shotgate from the new park. Residents will also be asked for their thoughts.

The park, which will take several years to mature, is being paid for by the estate's developers. The first part should be ready for use by the summer.

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