REDEVELOPMENT of a petting zoo to include a new housing estate and a community park could be put to planning bosses within weeks.

A planning application for Mistley Place Park is hoped to be submitted to Tendring Council by the end of the year.

It comes after a second public exhibition, which saw developers showcase the latest designs for the 22-acre.

Display boards featured the proposed layout of the new housing estate for 75 homes - split into two phases of 35 and then 40 properties.

There were also photographs of possible designs for a new cafe and culture centre.

Other plans for the site include dredging the lake, creating wildflower meadows, restoring or reinstating bridges and links for cycle and footpaths.

Patrick Hockley, director of Woodbridge Estate and Land, said: “Friday was a really exciting day with lots of positive feedback from the local people.

"Our next step is to work with the restoration team to get our planning application in by the end of the year.

"We very much look forward to making the vision of a community park a reality for the people of Mistley, Manningtree and Lawford.”

For more information or to view the plans visit www.mistleyplaceparkrestoration.com