DEVELOPERS are asking people for their views about the possibility of creating a new country park in Chelmsford.

Countryside Properties want to hear the opinions of residents, councillors and community groups based near an 80 acre strip of land stretching from Chelmer Bridge to Sandford Mill.

The company want to turn the area which lies next to the River Chelmer into a park site after lengthy discussions about what the land should be used for.

To help figure out what to do with the site, the firm will hold community workshops on February 22 and 23 at Sandford Mill allowing people from around Chelmer Village to share their views.

Mark Gallagher, Countryside’s strategic director, said: “Described by those who know the area as one of Chelmsford’s hidden treasures, the opportunity to transform the area into a leisure and recreation area is tremendous one for Chelmer Village, Chancellor Park and city-wide.

“Together with the local community and the city council, we want to explore how this transformation can be achieved, including some enabling development in the form of, for example, children’s day nursery and specialist elderly care.”

The land currently consists of mixture of floodplain, water meadow and rough pasture which has restricted access to the public.

For more information about the workshops, call 0800 198 9724.