Rochford District Council currently has no plans to change the planning status of Great Wakering Common.

The authority has issued a statement after residents raised concerns about the site.

The land is Metropolitan Green Belt, is allocated as Public Open Space and is a designated Wildlife Site.

In addition, the common is within the Environment Agency’s Flood Zone 3, land at the highest risk of flooding, where “more vulnerable” developments such as homes would not generally be considered acceptable.

Ian Ward, councillor responsible for planning, said: “Given the various designations and flood risk status of the Common, Rochford District Council has no plans to change the planning or protective designations of the land now or in the foreseeable future.”