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Nature reserve plan for neglected Ongar lorry park

Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 08:00

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A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of a neglected town lorry park.

The withdrawal of plans to build health facilities on the site at Marden Ash, Ongar, could see the land used for the expansion of a nature reserve.

Epping Forest District Council is expected to surrender its lease of the site, providing an opportunity for Ongar Town Council to acquire it for further development of the Cripsey Brook reserve.

Currently operating as an underused car and lorry park, the site is in poor condition.

Keith Pike, owner of Highway Travel in Ongar High Street, said: “I don't see why they don't put some money into it and maintain it. It's full of rubble and potholes. I had to have the whole front suspension on my car replaced. Loads of tyres are dumped and it could become a site for fly-tipping.”

The town council approached Essex County Council more than five years ago with the idea of transforming the site into a nature reserve, but was turned down when the primary care trust put in plans to build a health centre on the site. These were withdrawn due to concerns over flooding.

Former Ongar town councillor Bob MacDonald said: “The climate is right for the town council to move on this. They could cover over the car park with grass and shrubs and leave a small tidy area for car parking. This would attract a lot of walkers to the area and help put Ongar on the map. It's a golden opportunity for the town council.”

Allan Walker, head of asset management for the county council, said: “The district council has an annual rolling contract to use the site as a lorry park but, if it were to release the land , we would have to look at what options were available.”