The controversial Bathside Bay development at Harwich has received a major boost with two of the town's leading groups agreeing to back it.

Harwich Conservation Panel and The Harwich Society have both unanimously agreed to support the multi-million pound scheme.

Both groups also want to protect a buffer zone from Gas House Creek to the old town, to prevent ships coming too close to the area.

There have been environmental concerns about the plan for a new container terminal and how it may affect wildlife in the area.

But Andy Rutter, chairman of the panel and society secretary, said the groups felt the economic impact on the area could not be ignored.

He added there were several single-issue groups looking to protect wildlife and open spaces, which he had no problem with, but said that the economic effect on the town was something that needed to be taken into consideration.

The panel set up a special sub-committee to look into the development and recommended approval.

Eileen Tyrer, chairman of Harwich Environmental Action Team, said: "I am rather surprised that they have agreed to that, considering that English Nature, the RSPB and the Council for the Protection of Rural England all objected."

Hutchison Ports, which owns Harwich International Port, has said hundreds of jobs would be created by the project.

Published Monday, March 11, 2002