RESIDENTS say they are dismayed after a play area was demolished.

Essex County Council started cutting down trees on the land at Brickhouse Farm in Maldon on Monday.

It is set to be turned into a water storage area as part of a flood alleviation scheme.

Jenny Calvert, 28, of Wantz Road, says she was sad to see the trees go.

She said: “Some lifelong friends and I spent our childhood playing there every day after school from five until about ten.

“It feels sobering to have seen it go. There were kids of all ages getting along and playing – parents would come too sometimes.

“There was a mini forest and kids just spent their summer days there. It’s a shame to see it dug up.

“It was a place the community all knew of and loved, and kids could play there safely.

Jenny grew up on Wordsworth Avenue by the park.

She added: “The memories that were made are just gone.

“It was a generation thing. We’d play games, football, build dens and climb trees.

“It will definitely limit places for kids to go, it was a place to let off steam for children and it was safe.”

Nicky Wilshaw used to walk her dog there and says it is a loss for the community.

She said: “We were walking the dog and my husband pointed out that all of the trees were gone and the whole area was bulldozed. It looked like a war zone. Everything was gone, we’re just left with a bare path. It was like the trees were murdered.

“My mother lives a five-minute walk away and she didn’t know about it.

That was the place where everyone went – it’s a massive loss.

“It seems to go against Government environmental policy. It’s accepted now that trees are valuable.

“Why can’t they put the flood scheme next to the trees or keep the trees there?”

The county council said the work was part of a flood alleviation scheme for the area.

A spokesman said: “We want to reassure everyone, this scheme has not been undertaken lightly and once the detention basin has been constructed the area will be landscaped and replanted with 77 trees to replace the 34 which grew there previously.

“The new trees will have a much higher ecological and arboricultural value and a greater longevity than the previous trees which were coming to the end of their natural life.

“The species of tree being planted will also add greater protection from surface water flood risk through root absorption and encourage new habitats and biodiversity.

“As discussed and agreed with Maldon District Council, the existing children’s play area will be upgraded with more inclusive play equipment and relocated to a position where local flooding will not stop its use.

“This area will return to being a much-loved community asset.”