RESIDENTS are campaigning to save their favourite green space following the appeal of a planning decision.

An appeal was launched by developers after the controversial planning application to build 221 homes in Brook Meadows was rejected.

Since the launch of the appeal, a group of Tiptree residents have got together to fight the appeal.

Luke Magnay, 39, and wife Julia, 40, have lived in Tiptree with their two young daughters for 15 months.

Brook Meadows was one of the reasons they chose to move to the area and since moving, they walk in the meadow at least once a day.

They hope to continue campaigning and fundraise to buy the land as a community space for residents and wildlife.

Luke said: “We have been actively campaigning by speaking to residents in Tiptree and putting flyers through doors to get support.

“When the seasons change it's gorgeous. My daughters love it at Brook Meadows.

“It’s not just our generation that we're fighting for, it’s for the future generations who will be able to enjoy it.

“We appreciate the Government needs to build new homes as part of the neighbourhood plan and the plan lists sights that could work.

“Brook Meadows is a green space that is not for that purpose and the houses that have been built are not selling.”

The couple have spoken with many residents who live in Tiptree and have been enjoying the meadow for years.

Julia said: “When I walk there, I see more animals than I have ever seen.

“There are muntjacs, toads, foxes, owls and I’ve even seen a line of baby stoats go across my path.

“There are lots of wild plants and rare orchids, including greater tongue orchids, which have never been found seeded anywhere in the UK.

“David Attenborough’s photographer even came to take pictures of them.

“It is such a beautiful ecosystem. It is buzzing with life, the animals are living together in the biodiverse place.

“I go there every day, sometimes twice a day and I would hate for it to be destroyed.”

The couple are speaking on behalf of residents at an appeal meeting at St Botolph’s Church on Tuesday, October 25 at 10am.