A DEVELOPER has destroyed nearly one hundred trees to build on land it does not own.

Part of The Hangings, a popular walking trail from Dovercourt to Parkeston, has been “unlawfully robbed” from the public following the construction of a housing estate.

Builders erected more than 100 homes on The Gateway Development between Dovercourt and the A120.

Agent GVA Grimley is desperately trying to purchase the 652 square meters of The Hangings, Tendring Council has said.

Developers would exchange 281 square meters to the council as well as an undisclosed financial sum.

It would mean The Hangings would shrink by 371 square meters.

Harwich Peninsula FoE is “outraged” at the lack of consultation and protection the popular trail has.

Paul Preece, co-coordinator at Harwich FoE, said: “In the selling of this land the council is legalising the illegal encroachment on public space.

Peter Halliday, portfolio holder for finance and asset management at Tendring Council said: “We are not in the business for letting developers build where they like.

"We now believe that the offer we have been given is the best that can be achieved."

The decision whether or not to sell the land will be discussed at Tendring Council's cabinet meeting on Wednesday January 25 at 12pm at Clacton Town Hall.