Harwich International Port's decision to create a new wildlife area as compensation for developing Bathside Bay has received a mixed reception from campaigners.
Port owners Hutchison revealed last week it would make new inter-tidal mudflats, possibly in the nearby Hamford Water.
It wants to create a new container terminal, but would create the new wildlife area in a bid to compensate for the effect the project would have on wildlife in the area.
A spokeswoman for the RSPB said: "We welcome the recognition from Hutchisons that the port development will cause serious environmental damage and that this should be compensated for. The RSPB will continue to lobby Government to ensure it takes into account the impacts of the port development in its decision making."
Martina Weatherley, of environmental group Spindrift, said: "It sounds absolutely great, but that does not benefit Harwich directly. You can't uproot a hedgerow and plant new saplings and say I have replaced it."
A spokeswoman for English Nature said it was too early to comment on the plan
Published Thursday October 17, 2002
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