ENGINEERS behind Chelmsford's controversial Flood Alleviation Scheme have seemingly paved the way to begin work on the divisive project after the courts granted access to a defiant farmer's land.
Colchester Magistrates' Court district gave the Environment Agency (EA) warrant of entry to access Gary and Julie Sharp's farm in Stock.
It wants to build a 465-metre long and three-metre high wall, sluice gates and a control building on the Sharps' land in Little Tressells Farm to operate the £12 million scheme.
Despite the ruling, Mr Sharp has pledged to continue fighting, and is considering using a court injunction or a European Court of Human Rights appeal to veto the judge's verdict.
Only last night the main players, Chelmsford City Council, the EA and Mr Sharp, were scheduled to meet for an around-the-table negotiation.
"There is still a long way to go yet," Mr Sharp told the Chronicle before the meeting.
"I will continue to fight my corner – I've said that all along. In the world we live in you can't expect someone to come along onto your land and put a structure on it. It's just mad."
Mr Sharp claims the EA has never once explained how and where it will shift his 600 cattle from the 100-acre farm during the construction.
"They have never to this day explained how they're going to move the livestock," said the father-of-two.
"They haven't got a clue."
The EA says work on Mr Sharp's land is essential to preventing potential flooding to 548 homes and 235 commercial properties.
It adds the works would stop 500 million gallons cascading down the River Wid through Stock, Margaretting and into Central Park in the city centre.
Preparation works for the scheme, first mooted more than a decade ago and given council permission in February 2013, have already cost about £1 million in taxpayers' money.
Mr Sharp believes the venture, seemingly one step closer after the ruling on December 1, is unnecessary and a means of freeing up current flood-risk areas for development.
Margaretting Parish Council, which city council leader Roy Whitehead met with last Thursday to discuss the scheme, has always opposed a project it fears will "drown the village".
Council chairman Penny Savill said: "We're still not in favour of the scheme, but obviously it is out of our hands and it's now with the city council and the Environment Agency."
In August the EA said it would start groundwork by the autumn and complete it by September 2015.
This week, an EA spokesman said: "The issue with the landowner has not been fully resolved and because of that the preliminary work has not started but we still hope to start in the beginning of the New Year."
Chelmsford City Council leader Roy Whitehead said last month the scheme was in doubt, but this week said: "It certainly is not a waste of time and especially from the point of view that it is our duty to protect our residents."
