Tuesday 4th April, 2023
Labour Group Leader Councillor Chris Pearson has promised to fight against the sale of Middlewick Ranges for housing development.
At the Local Plan Committee meeting at Colchester City Council on Monday, residents and local Councillors expressed their concerns about the plans by the Ministry of Defence to sell off the land.
Councillor Pearson said:
“We will continue to make sure the Conservative government doesn’t sell off Middlewick for house building. The land should be gifted to the city for a nature reserve.”
Resident Richard Martin highlighted the importance of protecting wild spaces in the face of the climate emergency. He asked about the £50,000 allocated for a study at Middlewick Ranges.
An officer responded that the money would be spent on masterplanning, which would include ecology.
Resident Nick Chilvers raised concerns about the lack of employment opportunities and infrastructure in the area. He also highlighted the need for a strong and independent agency to oversee the public engagement process:
“The project will be a big one. Who will oversee the public engagement process? There is no parish council. It will need a strong and independent agency that won’t be brow beaten by developers. The local people have no faith. This needs sorting out before any development starts.
Where will the new residents earn a wage to pay their mortgage. No new employment land has been allocated. You can’t influence public transport. There are hills. If you don’t address connectivity there will high unemployment and the problems associated with that.”
An officer acknowledged the importance of consultation and engagement, and encouraged suggestions from the community.
Labour Councillor Dave Harris emphasised the need for a comprehensive masterplan that addresses the needs of the community, including employment, schools, dentists, and doctors:
“My ward colleagues have spoken to residents. The message is always the same. They don’t want the MOD to sell Middlewick. The masterplan has got to address what is lacking in the area if you’re going to build 1,000 houses.”
The Chair of the committee, LibDem Councillor Martin Goss, agreed that infrastructure and development were important considerations for the site.
Labour Councillor Lee Scordis expressed disappointment that there was no clear information about the plans for Middlewick Ranges, and called for more transparency and community involvement in the process:
“We need to look at options moving forward for Middlewick. Councillors can steer, residents can lead. We have to be wary that the site hasn’t be sold. The MOD wanted to dispose of this in 2018. Its disappointing that I can’t tell residents what is happening. We are left in the dark.”
The legal requirement for a review of the Local Plan is every five years, according to Chair Councillor Martin Goss.
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