�Brentwood residents will be able to buy strips of council land next to their homes for the first time to turn into gardens.

The council is hoping the scheme to sell under-used spaces will get rid of land that is expensive for it to maintain, which is not useful, and will raise money for the authority.

Cllr Russell Quirk, chairman of the asset infrastructure and localism panel, said: “We have many small strips of land and we’re happy to consider selling some of these, when reasonable.

“New use for this land – to extend a garden or similar – will enhance an area and buying it might be attractive to its neighbours.

“We will make sure that any sales are good for the community – we won’t sell anything that might cause access problems – and we’ll put in covenants or restrictions that would limit its use to be just garden land.

Plots

“We’ll also save through no longer having to pay to maintain this land.”

A council report said: “The council did from time to time receive reports from the community to purchase, lease or license areas of land adjacent to their property in order to extend their gardens in some way or to provide opportunities for parking, particularly where garden size was limited.”

The council decided to invite residents to contact them if they are interested in buying land owned by the council and councillors are encouraged to identify suitable plots.

The cost of buying land will also include payment of associated legal and valuation fees.

n For more information about the scheme contact the council on 01277 312500 or email enquiries@brentwood.gov.uk.