Mystery surrounds future of historic Thundersley wood

The 14.5-acre site, in Daws Heath Road, which is known as the Cottage Plantation, was put up for auction as part of a sealed bidding process in April.

Hopes were high a wildlife conservation group would win the bid and transform the private land into a nature reserve, opening it up to the public and protecting local wildlife.

However, despite the auction ending on April 26, no one has yet come forward to declare ownership of the site.

Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust confirmed it had awarded the Essex Wildlife Trust £43,900 to purchase the Cottage Plantation and maintain it.

However, the wildlife organisation is keeping tight-lipped on the matter.

A spokesman from the trust said: “Essex Wildlife Trust is in discussion about the future of Cottage Plantation, which has been on the market.”

The plantation lies on the border of the 200-year-old West Wood, which spans more than 80 acres and is managed by the Castle Point Wildlife Group.

Veolia Pitsea Marshes Trust had also pledged up to £25,000 to the group for its interest in the land.

The conservation group submitted a bid for the site, but were unsuccessful in acquiring the plantation.

Neal Warren, chairman of the group, said: “We were in contact with the agents last week to ask what’s going on because when we submitted a bid for the site we were told the completion of the deal had to be done within 28 days.

“There is a lot of concern within the community about it, and it would be nice to know what’s happening especially as we are their neighbours.

“I think people are concerned it will be developed. By not saying anything it creates more worry. We keep getting contacted by people asking what’s going on, and we even got asked by a cyclist whywe had closed off the land, but it’s not us.

“To try and alleviate some of the concern from residents would be good.

“Whoever has bought the land should send out a reassuring message about the future of the site. People have a reasonable right to know.”