Colchester Middlewick: Here's what councillors think

Councillors representing Conservatives, Labour, Green and Liberal Democrats all gave their opinion on the current situation on Middlewick.

The latest development saw campaigners protesting outside Colchester Town Hall chanting "lay no brick, save the wick".

Many have been left angered by plans to develop Middlewick into 1000 homes, as part of Colchester Council's Local Plan.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Mile End, Martin Goss said: "This is a legal planning matter which is currently part of the Local Plan review process.

"Residents are engaged and very aware of this matter which will review policy and other matters.

Liberal Democrat councillor, Martin Goss (Image: Credited) "It will be for this process to determine the outcome of the review of the Local Plan which of course will be influenced by undated planning policy and legislation from the Labour government leading to a potentially huge increase in house building in Colchester which is a huge issue - 1,400 houses per annum as opposed to 920.

"Labour should take the sale of the site off the table if they want to truly protect it.

"A full accessible property manager country  park for all should be part of any plan going forwards."

Conservative councillor for Tiptree, Paul Dundas said: "The history of Middlewick and potential development is a long one.

Conservative councillor, Paul Dundas (Image: Credited) "The site was allocated into the Local Plan when it was submitted in October 2017. The Conservatives did not vote for this to be submitted, it was voted through by Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors.

"We also need to be clear that, contrary to what has been said by some, there were no trade offs with other sites such as Marks Tey.

"Both Middlewick and Marks Tey were in the submission but the Marks Tey project was found 'unsound' by a planning inspector without the A120 being upgraded.

"The situation now is that, legally speaking, Middlewick is allocated for 1,000 houses.

"However, there is now an increasing amount of evidence that it may not be viable both from an ecological and a financial point of view to build there.

"There is also the question of infrastructure and transport which are lacking although this applies to all of Colchester if the government will not commit to major projects like the A12 and A120 upgrade and an enlarged hospital.

"If the Middlewick plans prove to be unworkable then they will either have to be revised or cancelled. We would not support it remaining allocated for housing as-is if the evidence clearly points to an ecological disaster.

"Of course, the other possibility is the government cancels the sale. We have had a change in government and the Labour government could, if they wished, simply decide not to sell it and that would be the end of the matter."

Labour councillor for Shrub End and Berechurch, Dave Harris said: "The MOD must know that the sale of Middlewick land is not needed.

Labour councillor, Dave Harris "I recall delivering a large petition on behalf of the three Berechurch and three Old Heath councillors, with the knowledge that is coming from all quarters about flawed reports on environmental impact on Middlewick - now is time to act.

"The reports that list the diversity of unique and rare wildlife in the land, with reports stating that insects/plants/shrubs/trees/soil types and animal life that will definitely be impacted.

"The revelation that birds such as nightingales are in larger numbers than anywhere else in the UK – it’s time for the council to commit to doing an acceleration on the review of the Local Plan.

"Collect and collate evidence of the site and its correct status as a unique and irreplaceable area.

"Look immediately for a list of replacement sites to put at least 1,000 homes back into the Local Plan.

"I ask officers and councillors to work in unison to achieve these steps in the review now, before it’s too late.

"As for housing, we have always built homes in Colchester as the need for housing arrives.

"As a replacement site for Middlewick, how about looking where a new community can be built without destruction of such a diverse site.

"Let’s not build a concrete jungle where there is no infrastructure."

Green Party councillor, Mark Goacher (Image: Credited)

Green Party councillor for Castle ward, Mark Goacher said: "Middlewick Ranges is a major wildlife site rich in acid grassland and populated with skylarks, nightingales, lizards, moths and many other species.

"It is almost unique in the South East in terms of habitat and building over this site would be a huge and irreparable loss in terms of wildlife habitat.

"It is also the only large green oasis in the South East of Colchester, surrounded by heavily urbanised areas.

"People need green space for leisure and for their mental health, as was shown by the experience of the pandemic.

"The MOD needs to reconsider the sale and consider the option of a nature reserve with a Memorial element honouring those Colchester soldiers and citizens who have died in war.

"This would both honour the site’s past and also preserve the site as a natural wildlife space.

"Colchester Council needs to be doing all it can to remove the Wick from the Local Plan including initiating a call for replacement sites.

"We need action not words. Ideally the new government will press for it to be gifted to the city by the MOD as a nature site and green space.

"The revelation that there was an ecology report prior to the flawed Stantec report which showed higher levels of acid grassland shows that the entire decision process which led to the Wick being included in the Local Plan was based on flawed information as councillors were not shown this first ecology report.

"We owe it to future generations to save this unique site."