Maldon Council's green guard plans

Maldon District Council's planning, highways and environment services committee, which meets next week, is being asked to approve county council proposals in its assessment of the area.

The recommendations affecting the Maldon district include:

The creation of a new footpath access along the southern edge of the canal from Hoe Mill Lock to Langford pumping station.

A mix of tree and shrub species to be more in keeping with the natural area at the new Elms Farm Park.

Additional native tree planting to add to the screening at the Langford water pumping site.

More trees and shrub screening for the zone where the canal passes through the industrial area of Heybridge.

In any consideration of the future use of Heybridge gravel pits, the protection of wildlife value should be given top priority.

Landscape officer Peter Spurrier, who has been working on the project for the county council said: "The aim of the report is to conserve the existing distinctive character of the conservation area and to try to restore it where possible.

"There is a strip of land along the length of the navigation between Chelmsford and Maldon that has been designated the Chelmer and Blackwater conservation area.

"We are also concerned with the landscape that adjourns the canal.

"The traditional landscape which I am trying to conserve is characterised by water meadows and riverside grazing.

"I am also interested in seeing a larger variety of native tree species along the canal."

The conservation area scheme partners are Essex County Council, Chelmsford Borough Council, Maldon District Council, the Environment Agency and the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Company.

Mr Spurrier envisaged that once the various bodies agree the document, it could then form part of the polices of the district and county council.

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