CAMPAIGNERS who already battled to stop a development on their doorsteps say they are "shocked" to learn an orchard could now be lost to homes.

Colchester Council has identified orchard land behind properties in Irvine Road could be used for up to ten homes.

Access to it is currently via a private track.

A new report to the council's Local Plan Committee states: "The 2016 Local Wildlife Site Report concluded that this site is in favourable but declining status as an orchard with no management of the fruit trees or other vegetation in recent years.

"The grassland is becoming rank through a lack of management and the Prunus scrub which is spreading, is already dominant in some areas. The northern edge of the site is also being managed inappropriately, from a conservation point of view. This lack of active and appropriate management if not addressed, over time, will result in further decline in the ecological value of the site. This could result in it eventually being dedesignated as a Local Site if it fails to meet the qualifying criteria for designation."

Will Emrich, speaking on behalf of the The Irvine Road Residents’ Association (IRARA), said it was "shocked" by the council’s proposals.

He added: "They simply do not seem to have heard the hundreds of local people who wanted the orchard protected from development and turned into an asset for the community. We fear the council’s proposals will now open the door to a larger development that eradicates the orchard and the opportunity that it represents for local people, for local schools and the resident wildlife.

"IRARA believes the council has placed the orchard in jeopardy and that as much of the orchard as possible must be secured for the community for the long-term.

"We ask the council to re-consider and will also make our views known to the owner and developer. Whatever happens we will campaign for the best possible outcome for the orchard and the local people it could serve.”

Last year the residents' association launched a campaign to protect the orchard after it was bought by a developer but no plans have been submitted.

The orchard, hidden behind the back of Irvine Road, has laid unused for about 40 years.

It is thought to be one of only six or seven urban orchards left in Essex.

It is home to foxes, deer, hedgehogs, beetle and crested newts and it is believed to include rare fruit trees.

The residents’ association successfully saved the neighbouring Irvine Road Field from development in 2009.