PEOPLE power may have triumphed after an ancient woodland was saved from development.

Councillors made a dramatic U-turn at a packed meeting last night after Billericay residents pleaded with them not to destroy parts of Frith Wood.

Terry Knight, who lives next door in Second Avenue, told Basildon Council’s infrastructure, growth and development committee: “What we’re seeing here is a nut being hit by a sledgehammer… and it doesn’t need it. There has been no due diligence whatsoever.

“I’m surprised this was ever considered in the first place.”

The meeting heard that developer Taylor Wimpey had wanted to demolish part of the wood for a link road to help create an extra 300 houses on the adjoining site.

The proposal formed part of draft plan for almost 20,000 new homes for the borough.

The wood is linked to a rights of way used by ramblers and horse riders, and a common.

Billericay Town councillor Cllr Lesley Mitchelmore said loss of the ancient woodland would effect the character of the town and impact on a bridleway.

“A development should find ways to avoid ancient woodland,” she said.

Many other Billericay residents spoke out against the plan. Gavin Taylor accused councillors with no links to Billericay ‘ruining our town’.

“It’s reverse Nimbisim,” he said.

After several hours of debate councillors agreed to remove the wood from future housing plans.

UKIP leader Linda Allport-Hodge tabled an amendment that was backed by UKIP and Labour councillors. Ms Allport-Hodge said the change demonstrated that councillors had listened to locals concerns.

Conservative councillors Kevin Blake, Carole Morris, Andrew Baggott and Andy Barnes abstained from the vote.

Mr Baggott said: “I welcome the principle. You said you listenened. But you already had your prepared amendment before the audience had spoken.”

Fellow conservative, Mr Blake said: “To be absolutely blunt about this, it’s a sweetener. You’re still going to be developing all over Billericay.

“It’s still 400 houses in that area. And that’s unacceptable for the people I represent in Burstead.”