Dave Harris writes to MoD over Middlewick Ranges sale

Middlewick Ranges in Colchester, which is earmarked for development in Colchester Council’s plan for almost 16,000 homes to be built in the city by 2033, was listed for sale by the MoD on Wednesday.

A lack of appropriate infrastructure coupled with worries regarding ecology and biodiversity were among the frustrations raised by Berechurch councillor Dave Harris in his letter to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.

Mr Harris said he is “disturbed” by the plans to sell off the land for housing.

Disturbed - Berechurch councillor Dave Harris who has written to Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (Image: Steve Brading)

'We don't have the infrastructure'

He wrote: “The ecology and biodiversity in the Middlewick Ranges are at risk due to this plan, and selling just to allow profit for both the Government and any potential developer is not popular with myself, with my family, friends, and indeed the whole neighbourhood I live in.

“I am aware the city council has 1,000 homes in the local plan for Middlewick, but I have consistently argued for the MoD to take the sale of Middlewick off the table.”

He added other MoD-owned land around the UK would be “better suited to development” because of the greater availability of space to build the infrastructure such a large development would require.

“Berechurch and surrounding areas have no room for such infrastructure that would be needed to serve it,” he continued.

Site - the sun rises over Middlewick Ranges in Colchester (Image: Richard Martin)

“Roads, community space, employment, businesses, community space, and health services are already lacking. Indeed, getting a dentist or doctor’s appointment is already impossible.”

Colchester MP Will Quince has also written to Mr Shapps to raise his concerns over the sale of the site, including the addition of an extra pocket of land which is not earmarked for development in the council’s local plan.

The proposed sale of the Wick comes after city councillors voted to adopt the local plan last year.

At a full council meeting, 26 out of 38 councillors present voted in favour of the plan, while five councillors voted against it and seven councillors, including Mr Harris, abstained from voting.