Editing Manningtree (section)

==Smallest town claim==
Manningtree has traditionally claimed to be the smallest town in England, but its 2007 population of 700 people in 20 hectares<ref>{{cite web | url=http://archive.echo-news.co.uk/2007/11/7/262780.html | title=Essex: Town is happy to be small wonder | publisher=Echo Newspapers | date=7 November 2007 | access-date=2010-09-24}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> and the 2011 census population for the civil parish of 900 are much higher than the 351 population of [[Fordwich]], Kent.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=795410&c=Fordwich&d=16&e=15&g=457433&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1285290383900&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612140711/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=795410&c=Fordwich&d=16&e=15&g=457433&i=1001x1003x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1285290383900&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 June 2011 | publisher=National Statistics | title=Area: Fordwich CP (Parish) | date=28 April 2004 | access-date=2010-09-24}}</ref> However, it is believed to be the smallest town by area.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.manningtreetowncouncil.gov.uk/manningtree|publisher=VCS Parish Council Websites|title=About Manningtree - Manningtree Town Council|accessdate=2024-01-13 }}</ref>

In April 2009 it was proposed that Manningtree should merge with [[Mistley]] and [[Lawford]] to form a single parish, losing its separate identity as a town.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/localnews/4299842.Manningtree__Threat_to_Mayor/ |title=Manningtree: Threat to Mayor |date=17 April 2009 |first=Andrea |last=Collitt |journal=Harwich and Manningtree Standard | url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004163753/http://www.harwichandmanningtreestandard.co.uk/news/localnews/4299842.Manningtree__Threat_to_Mayor/ |archive-date=4 October 2011 }}</ref> As of 2023 such a merger has not occurred.