A DEFENCE boss says there are no plans to sell off Friday Woods.

Concerns had been raised after the Ministry of Defence announced it would sell off Middlewick Ranges as part of Government plans to build 160,000 homes during this parliament.

After Colchester MP Will Quince wrote to the ministry, Mark Lancaster, Parliamentary Under Secretary at the department, said: “I understand the concerns your constituents have expressed regarding access and can confirm that the release of Middlewick Ranges will have no direct impact on public access to Friday Woods.

“The department has no plans at this time to dispose of the woods.”

He added: “It is expected that, following any sale, the owners of the land will work with the local planning authority to understand the nature of the infrastructure, resources and scope for more new housing in Colchester and will develop the land accordingly.”