Compensation measures to replace a habitat for birds will go ahead if a port development at Harwich is agreed.
Harwich International Port said it proposes to form a new, larger habitat for wildlife that would be impacted by any work at Bathside Bay.
The work involves creating new mudflats further along the coast where birds and animals would hopefully move to.
But environmental campaigners against the building of a new container terminal, said they were not convinced by the promise of compensation.
Paul Davey, spokesman for port owners Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, said: "This habitat creation will redress the predicted environmental impact on habitats and birds due to the intended port development."
He said the port was looking at creating intertidal mudflats - area covered by water at high tide and exposed at low tide by the backwaters.
Harwich International Port is working with landowners, environmental groups and regulatory bodies to see how suitable Hamford Water would be for the compensation.
Stephanie Tyrer, president of Harwich Environmental Action Team (HEAT), said new mudflats would not benefit some wildlife.
She said: "The mudflats make an entire eco-system and they are already established. It will take years before many species take hold at the new ones.
Wild orchids, reptiles and insects would not recover from losing the Bathside Bay habitat, she claimed.
A public inquiry into the proposed container facility is expected next year.
Published Friday October 11, 2002
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