Chanting Colchester protesters demand The Wick is saved

Campaigners are trying to stop the building of 1,000 homes on the former Army training base.

On Tuesday night protesters gathered outside Colchester Town Hall shouting "lay no brick, save the Wick”. 

Chelsey Cardy, 22, was one of the organisers of the demonstration on Tuesday evening. 

She said: “We want to try and save the Middlewick from deforestation and building houses on it.

"Seeing all this wildlife enjoying their home is great, but if they go ahead with the development, those species will not have a home themselves. 

Organiser - Chelsey was one of the organisers of the rally (Image: Newsquest)

“Since we’ve started we have made more petitions and we need to keep spreading the word, and do the most we can to stop the council from going ahead.” 

Among the protesters was Charlotte Martin, 72, who joined the call to protect the Wick. 

She said: “The Wick is about allowing room for people and not just homes and cars. Colchester has been very developed and we’ve got an awful lot of housing here.

"But we need to start building housing that’s appropriate for people, for disabled people, old people and others. 

“This is a very special site and once it goes it goes. The Essex Wildlife Trust has written a very good report saying how it could be managed for the environment and for people. 

Protester - Charlotte Martin at the protest (Image: Newsquest)

“The Wick is about biodiversity, it’s about space, it’s about air and what people need to live right.” 

Green councillor Mark Goacher joined the protest outside Town Hall, as he shares residents’ concerns, especially after it was revealed by the Gazette that the council had not seen an initial ecology report. 

Mr Goacher said: “I have put in a Freedom of Information request to find out who, if anybody had seen this report at Colchester Council, and who received it. 

“There has been some talk at the council about some people who’ve seen it, but I want to get to the bottom of it. 

Councillor - Mark Goacher joined the protest (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m concerned that the council will not take the Wick out of the Local Plan, but it wouldn’t be needed in there. There are a lot of other parts of land that could be used for development. 

“It is upon the council to start a call for new sites to save the Wick.” 

Protesters at the rally agreed that the MoD should rethink the sale of the land, and even consider gifting the property to Colchester Council in honour of those who served the Army at the Garrison. 

A spokesman for the MoD said: " Middlewick Ranges is surplus to military requirements and is being disposed of in line with HM Treasury guidance. We remain committed to making the right decisions to support defence capabilities and secure value for money for the taxpayer. "