A new leaflet is to be handed out, promoting plans to develop Bathside Bay at Harwich.

Support Port Expansion and Kill Off Unemployment Threat (Speakout) is to give out the leaflets to residents.

In it, it lists 21 groups and individuals who support the principle of building a new container terminal by Harwich International Port.

Another group, Residents Against Port Expansion, has been set up to oppose the plan.

The Speakout leaflet says: "Harwich has always been a thriving port and it is only in the last 20 years that we have lost most of our port-related industry. The Bathside Bay development would give us back what all but present generations have missed out on."

It adds that many objectors do not live in the town, or have moved there since the ports declined and so have no knowledge of how Harwich used to prosper.

It accused protesters of "wild scare stories" and said nearby Felixstowe has houses next to its port and is flourishing.

Opponents fear there would be noise and light pollution and that there would be damage to the environment.

Published Wednesday January 7, 2004

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