There was an Act of Parliament in 1812, an act for the enclosure of waste or heath land. Large pieces of waste or derelict land were allowed to be fenced in.

Alexander Watford of Cambridge and Benjamin Strutt of Colchester were the Commissioners named and appointed in and by an Act of Parliament passed in the 52nd year of the Reign of King George the 3rd entitled "An Act for inclosing Lands in the manor of Great Bentley in the County of Essex".

Land affected by this act was sold off at the Wed 7th September 1814 Land auction.