Colchester City Council is providing further reassurance to residents following recent discussion about land at Cymbeline Farm.
The council is currently exploring the potential sale of part of the Cymbeline Farm holding as part of its ongoing management of council-owned assets. This site is separate from other parcels of land within the wider Cymbeline area that have been marketed in previous years, and it is distinct from the Cymbeline Meadows nature reserve.
Any potential sale would not change how the land is used. The site has no identified development potential and is intended to continue in agricultural and open space use. It is also subject to a range of environmental and planning constraints, including areas of public open space, wildlife designations, flood zones and heritage features, which significantly limit opportunities for development.
The council has confirmed that the land has not yet been sold. Marketing is at an early stage and is focused on reaching appropriate rural and agricultural buyers. Initial interest has reflected this, with enquiries from farming and rural businesses.
The proposed sale forms part of a wider review of the council’s commercial property portfolio, ensuring assets are delivering the best value for residents.
Pamela Donnelly, Chief Executive of Colchester City Council, said: “We understand that residents will have questions, and it’s important to be clear about what is being proposed.
“This relates to part of the farm holding, not the nature reserve, and the land is not being promoted for development. A sale would not change how the land is used, and it is intended to continue as agricultural land and open space.
“Like all local authorities, we regularly review our assets to ensure we are making the best use of them for residents. If this progresses, any capital receipt would support investment in the council’s wider priorities and services.”