A conservation charity is worried an ancient wood could be affected by plans for more than 1,000 homes.

Heybridge Wood, of Broad Street Green Road, Heybridge, lies within land earmarked by Maldon District Council for 1,235 homes.

The north Heybridge garden suburb - which also includes a country park west of Maypole Road - will be built around it.

Essex Wildlife Trust has been in discussions with Maldon District Council and achieved small improvements to a proposed "green infrastructure buffer" around the wood.

But it wants the country park that is included in the garden suburb development to be located around Heybridge Wood, protecting it from being completely surrounded by housing.