Colchester City Council’s recent statements regarding the inclusion of Middlewick Ranges in the Local Plan reveal serious missteps in transparency, environmental protection, and the use of ecological evidence. Here, Friends of Middlewick outline key concerns, highlighting inaccuracies, withheld evidence, and the ongoing destruction of critical habitats. 1. Early Allocation Without Ecological Evidence The council admitted… Continue reading Press Release: Friends of Middlewick Respond to Colchester City Council’s Middlewick Ranges Statement
Author: savemiddlewick
“New Housing Targets Make Development on Middlewick LESS likely”
Friends of Middlewick: Our Position on the New Government’s Housing Targets This is certainly a hot topic and we can see how some people are concerned about how this relates to the catastrophic proposals for Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site. [Yet another reason that in only five days over 6,000 people have signed the petition to urge… Continue reading “New Housing Targets Make Development on Middlewick LESS likely”
Hedging Your Bets For You
Hedges in the UK are currently protected under the Hedgerows Regulations 1997, removal can be granted by local authorities. But how aware are we and our council about the importance of hedgerows? Scientists have reported that in just seven days a 1-metre length of the well-managed dense hedge will mop up the same amount of… Continue reading Hedging Your Bets For You
The Battle for Lodge Hill
I want to tell you a story which I am calling the “Battle for Lodge Hill”. This battle took place between the local authority, the MOD, Homes England, developers, the Government and the Local Plan. Lodge Hill was part of a military camp in Kent, built as part of ordnance depots across other camps in… Continue reading The Battle for Lodge Hill
‘Have your say’ submission
at the Local Plan meeting in February 2021. The importance of Greenspace for mental health. As you’re aware Mental health problems are one of the main causes of the overall disease burden worldwide. The UK government’s strategy on loneliness recognises the importance of Greenspaces and links urbanisation with loneliness and decreased well-being. £2.1 billion per… Continue reading ‘Have your say’ submission
A Rant by Nick Chilvers
MiddleWick has been included in the emerging Local Plan and soon to go forward for examination by planning Inspectors. If passed, the result will be to concrete over a lovely open space on the south-east of Colchester. It will cause the destruction of wildlife habitat and, with no jobs nearby, add lots more traffic from… Continue reading A Rant by Nick Chilvers
The Current Situation
PIGGY IN THE MIDDLEWICK The problem is that the Wick has and will continue to become that political football the nearer to the May election we get. Counsellor David King pledging that the “feasibility study would be undertaken through the Local Plan and Environmental agency/ party cross working, and more and better consultation with what… Continue reading The Current Situation
Save Our Wick, Save Our Wellbeing
During the long months of Covid 19 restrictions, many people have come to realise the real hidden value of the Middlewick Ranges (the “Wick”) in South Colchester: Having an uninterrupted view of the countryside in an urban setting, with magnificent sunsets and sunrises; flitting moths and butterflies; being able to breathe in the fresh air… Continue reading Save Our Wick, Save Our Wellbeing
Colchester Hospital is under pressure
Colchester general hospital is the main hospital for Colchester and surrounding areas. Wait times for treatments are at an all-time high and development will only impact this problem (Maguire, D. 2020). The hospital has been subject to a vast increase in patients due to a large amount of development already undertaken. Colchester council states that… Continue reading Colchester Hospital is under pressure
Limited access to the Wick likely after the land is developed
1,000 homes and the rest of the Middlewick will still be a training ground and there may be additional regulations put in about dog walking infringements. In the 1960s the town wasn’t gridlocked why? Fewer vehicles of course, then like today someone had a “Vision” Greenstead, Whitehall industrial est, Severals lane, Highwoods. Just a few… Continue reading Limited access to the Wick likely after the land is developed