Green and Blue Spaces - Register

Form ID 10190

Site 
None

Respondent 
Natural England

Agent
Natural England

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Natural England , see letter for full text and appendices-
Natural England welcomes Colchester City Council’s proactive approach to mapping existing
greenspaces and waterways. It is positive to see a Call for Sites that includes potential land to form
part of the Council’s Green Infrastructure Network, as well as off-site Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
opportunities. The results from the Call for Sites should be used to better inform and consider the
supply and demand of biodiversity units for BNG within the Borough, to help identify those areas of
greatest need for BNG delivery.
Impacts to “very high” or “high distinctiveness” habitats as defined within the BNG metric will make it
difficult for developments to deliver BNG and any local baseline mapping information available should
be used to inform site selection and avoid these habitats, in line with the mitigation hierarchy. The
Statutory biodiversity metric can be used to identify those specific habitat types.
The Statutory Biodiversity metric uses a strategic significance multiplier that identifies priority areas
for nature recovery and incentivises a greater uplift of biodiversity units in those locations. The Greater
Essex Nature Recovery Strategy is anticipated to help guide BNG habitats to the best, strategic
locations. However, in the interim Local Authorities should use existing strategies and baseline
information to inform these areas of “strategic significance” and it is recommended that this local
mapping data is used for this purpose. Natural England have developed a national Nature Recovery
Network to inform the Local Nature Recovery Strategies that are currently being developed and to
identify opportunities for reconnecting fragmented habitats. This information could be used to
complement the mapping data when developing Local Plan policy and allocations.
The Green infrastructure Map is a national dataset that can be used to identify inequalities in access
to greenspace and plan for new Green Infrastructure (GI). The mapping tool incorporates a number
of layers, including socio-economic data and access to natural greenspace standards which can help
to prioritise spatial investment in GI provision (e.g. by targeting green space provision to where it is
needed most). This mapping database could complement local datasets and help to evaluate the
quality and quantity of GI in Colchester. Open space provision can use Natural England’s Accessible
Greenspace Standards to determine needs based on size, proximity, capacity and quality. This should
be used in conjunction with the local mapping to help set clear, measurable targets in policy for
improving the quantity and quality of GI provision in Colchester.
You should refer to our advice in Annex A in developing new green spaces and waterways.
Further general advice on the consideration of protected species and other natural environment
Page 2 of 5
issues is provided at Annex A.
We would be happy to comment further should the need arise but if in the meantime you have any
queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

Form ID 10191

Site 
None

Respondent 
Essex Bridleways Association

Agent
Essex Bridleways Association

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
As a suggestion, can the map show existing Public Rights of Way please ? This will show whether it is possible to reach the green space areas by means other than vehicle.

I think the green space survey needs to be broader in its thinking and look at accessibility, connectivity, can people ride there, can they cycle there, can they walk there etc. Is there a way of getting from one wildlife area to another without having to use a car etc...and if currently not possible, how this could be improved. The thinking behind this exercise could be broadened in my view, with the map developed to allow consideration to be given to rights of movement between the green spaces and waterways, and what improvements can be made in terms of ease of connectivity.

Form ID 10240

Site 
None

Respondent 
National Highways

Agent
National Highways

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10592

Site 
None

Respondent 
Essex Field Club

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Surveying and generally enjoying the wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
by designating it a Nature Reserve/Country Park and removal from the Local Plan

Comments 
The original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges was badly misinformed; but we now have a fuller picture of the evidence. In view of the completely flawed and refuted idea that the ancient acid grassland can be recreated and the planning requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain, it would be impossible for CCC to legitimately approve planning applications that would be legally compliant with the National Planning Framework. Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. We/I strongly reiterate the national level SSSI value of the invertebrate assemblages and acid grassland within Middlewick, with preliminary surveys to date identifying the outstanding total 1480 invertebrate species of which 167 have a conservation status (‘Species of Conservation Concern’). Middlewick is included in the internationally / nationally East Coast Important Invertebrate Area (IAA). Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permanently lost under the current Local Plan. At 53 hectares of acid grassland, Middlewick Ranges is by far the largest area of open acid grassland not only in Colchester District but in the whole of Essex. It is larger than all acid grasslands across all of Braintree, Chelmsford, Southend, Maldon, Uttlesford, Harlow and Rochford's Local Wildlife Sites put together. There are other remaining areas of relict acid grassland and heath; but these are fragmented and in far smaller compartments, usually only a small component of other habitats, such as scrub and woodland in Epping, Danbury, Tiptree and Fingringhoe SSSIs. The site has immense value and importance as a public amenity and open green space which is self-evident for anyone who has visited Middlewick. People not only enjoy but rely on this beautiful green resource in the heart of South Colchester; for physical and mental health. This was even more noticeable during Covid, many described the Wick as a ‘lifesaver’. The whole complex of grasslands, scrub and woodland between Roman River SSSI and Abbotts Road including Weir Lane Grassland, Birch Brook and Middlewick LoWS should be a protected large nature reserve; it is one continuous ecological unit and incredibly important corridor for species to move between SSSI and LoWS in southern Colchester - as well as habitat in its own right.

Form ID 10697

Site 
None

Respondent 
HELEN CONNELLY

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10726

Site 
None

Respondent 
Essex Wildlife Trust

Agent
Essex Wildlife Trust

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Essex Wildlife Trust provides advice to Local Planning Authorities to inform planning decisions in respect of potential ecological impacts from development. If the applicant or any other interested party requires additional information on the advice we have provided, any such queries should be directed to the Planning Case Officer who will seek further information from us where appropriate and necessary. Dear Planning Policy Team, Colchester Green Spaces and Waterways Consultation Thank you for contacting us regarding the above consultation. We welcome this opportunity to provide our comments. 1. Introduction It is clear that Colchester City Council's starting point and immediate focus for the current Local Plan Review is the enhancement of Colchester's green network. Essex Wildlife Trust welcomes this strong commitment to "creating a better environment". To succeed, this ambition to enhance the green network relies, crucially, on Colchester's network of designated Local Wildlife Sites. With this clear direction, the Trust calls on Colchester City Council, with its strengthened duties to enhance biodiversity under the Environment Act 2021, to permanently safeguard Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site (Co122). In spite of its special status for wildlife, recognised by its designation as a Local Wildlife Site in the Colchester Local Plan, and its importance to local people as a highly valued green space, Middlewick Ranges, perversely, remains threatened with destruction under the same Local Plan. This threat is in the form of a proposed housing allocation of 1,000 houses, which would destroy the site. Essex Wildlife Trust urgently advises that the allocation of Middlewick Ranges for housing should be immediately removed from the Local Plan and the site protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Spaces Network and the wider Local Nature Recovery Network (LNRN). Ideally it should be formally designated as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed in perpetuity for the benefit of wildlife and people. Love Essex Love Wildlife Company Reg No. 638666 England Registered Charity No. 210065 VAT Registered No. 945 7459 772. Importance of Middlewick Ranges Middlewick Ranges is an outstandingly important site for wildlife, not only for Colchester but for Essex and the wider region. At 76 hectares, it is one of the largest Local Wildlife Sites in the area and, on its own, represents nearly 4% of the District's total Local Wildlife Site acreage. With tens of hectares of rare acid grassland habitat, Middlewick Ranges encompasses the largest extent of this habitat in north Essex. The habitat is of the same ecological importance as acid grasslands of fully protected Sites of Special Scientific Interest, such as Epping Forest SSSI. Acid grassland is a type of natural dry grassland that grows on low fertility, sandy and gravelly soils, similar to lowland heath. In these exacting conditions, uncommon grasses and wildflowers thrive and a very unusual and special insect fauna develops. On Middlewick Ranges, the grassland and its underlying carbon-rich soils have been undisturbed for at least two centuries and were also historically part of an even more extensive grass-heath environment to the south of Colchester. This has allowed high levels of biodiversity to flourish. As Natural England's letter of 28th June 2022 to your Council emphasised, the significance of its special acid grassland is likely to have been underestimated. And yet, this Local Wildlife Site is threatened with destruction to make way for development. Of real concern to the Trust is the fact that the site's insect biodiversity was inadequately addressed during the Local Plan preparation. Due to its rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected). Examples include Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle. In the Trust's opinion, Middlewick Ranges is almost certainly now of national importance for insect biodiversity. EECOS (now Essex Ecology) advised your officers in early 2021 that the site, with more survey work, could reach a level to be considered of SSSI quality. New data was submitted to you by Essex Field Club and Butterfly Conservation in June 2022 supporting this, including at least 23 Red Data Book Species and a quarter of all Essex's known moths and butterflies. Middlewick Ranges lies within the Thames Estuary Important Invertebrate Area (IIA). IIAs have been identified by Buglife using the data from 85 national invertebrate recording schemes and data from Local Environmental Records Centres. IIAs are nationally or internationally significant places for the conservation of invertebrates and the habitats upon which they rely. Natural England, in its letter to your authority, stated that it would expect this exceptional biodiversity to be properly safeguarded. In addition to its exceptionally important invertebrate assemblage, Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site supports an abundance of other wildlife including common lizard, slow worm and grass snake, a range of bat species (including the rare Barbastelle bat), badgers, and over 10 Red Listed Birds of Conservation Concern (BOCC), including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. It also supports several Essex Red Listed plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland. 3. Birch Brook Local Wildlife Site In addition, Birch Brook Local Wildlife Site would be subjected to significant harmful impacts by the proposed development of Middlewick Ranges; this currently tranquil green corridor supports 2 Love Essex Love Wildlife Company Reg No. 638666 England Registered Charity No. 210065 VAT Registered No. 945 7459one of the county's most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds and Essex Red Listed plants, including a variety of rare ferns. It provides a vital resource for wildlife and a connecting corridor, directly linking to the Roman River Valley SSSI. Development of Middlewick Ranges would threaten this wildlife haven, including the breeding Nightingales, due to the increased pollution, noise, lighting, trampling and predation by domestic pets associated with a large new housing estate. 4. Weir Lane Grasslands The mitigation for the destruction of Middlewick Ranges, which was proposed at the Local Plan examination in 2021, was completely flawed and would in no way safeguard the Ranges' biodiversity. The proposed mitigation did not take account of the richness of the insect fauna nor the undisturbed, carbon-rich soils and, furthermore, proposed the ploughing up and destruction of old grasslands to the south of the Ranges, in the area of Weir Lane. These old grasslands currently represent one the largest tall and tussocky grasslands in the Colchester District, being over 100 hectares in total area. They also form part of a vital green corridor which connects the Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook and Middlewick Ranges Lows, reaching into the heart of Colchester. These permanent grasslands have established to provide a home for an important assemblage of invertebrates and the small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and bats which feed on them. Apex predator species include Kestrel, Barn Owl and Common Buzzard. The hedgebanks which divide the grasslands into smaller fields support many large and ancient oaks. The presence of bracken, broom and wood sage is indicative of relatively sandy soils, as evidenced by soil tests. Some areas of grassland support finer grasses such as common bent and meadow grasses, and there are areas of abundant flowers such as yarrow, oxeye daisy and St John's-wort. This demonstrates the considerable potential of these grasslands if they are protected and managed sensitively for wildlife. 5. Policy context Colchester City Council has a statutory duty to protect biodiversity under the NERC Act 2006, which has now been strengthened by the Environment Act 2021. The allocation for housing at Middlewick Ranges is in direct conflict with Government aspirations for nature's recovery, being contrary to National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) guidelines on the Environment and Government legislation on Local Nature Recovery Networks and Biodiversity Net Gain (Environment Act 2021). These jointly require protection of Local Wildlife Sites to recognise their importance and the contribution they make to wider ecological networks and as core areas of habitat vital to emerging Local Nature Recovery Networks. Paragraph 174 of the NPPF states that planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: "minimising impacts on and providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures Paragraph 175 states that plans should: 3 Love Essex Love Wildlife Company Reg No. 638666 England Registered Charity No. 210065 VAT Registered No. 945 7459 77'distinguish between the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites; allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value, where consistent with other policies in this Framework; take a strategic approach to maintaining and enhancing networks of habitats and green infrastructure; and plan for the enhancement of natural capital at a catchment or landscape scale across local authority boundaries." Paragraph 179 states that plans should: a) 'Identify, map and safeguard components of local wildlife-rich habitats and wider ecological networks, including the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity; wildlife corridors and stepping stones that connect them; and areas identified by national and local partnerships for habitat management, enhancement, restoration or creation; and b) promote the conservation, restoration and enhancement of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species; and identify and pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for biodiversity." Paragraph 180 states that when determining planning applications, local planning authorities should apply the following principles: a) 'if significant harm to biodiversity resulting from a development cannot be avoided (through locating on an alternative site with less harmful impacts), adequately mitigated, or, as a last resort, compensated for, then planning permission should be refused' This protection quite explicitly steers development away from Local Wildlife Sites in all but the most socially significant situations where an overriding need for the development in that location has been established. Local Wildlife Sites represent the critical natural capital of the county and it is essential that they receive this level of protection. It is abundantly clear that the allocation of Middlewick Ranges for development does not accord with the above legislation and policy. Development of the Ranges would result in: the permanent loss of an extensive and important ecological network; the destruction of a site designated for its nature conservation value, and estimated to be of national importance and potential SSSI status due to its exceptional invertebrate assemblage; failure to protect and enhance a natural asset; and failure to maximise opportunities for the preservation, restoration, enhancement, and connection of natural habitats. It would also result in increased habitat fragmentation and directly conflict with Government initiatives to support nature's recovery. The applicant has not demonstrated an over-riding need for housing development in this location to justify such a catastrophic loss of biodiversity in the District. Given the increasing urgency of the need to tackle the burgeoning nature and climate emergencies, locally, nationally, and globally, this is patently unacceptable. 6. Conclusion Accordingly, in the face of the climate emergency and the UK's deepening biodiversity crisis, and with your Council's now strengthened duties to enhance biodiversity, Essex Wildlife Trust takes the view that the full, long-term protection of Middlewick Ranges, and their management for wildlife and people, is essential. Safeguarding this green space for current and future generations of 4 Love Essex Love Wildlife Company Reg No. 638666 England Registered Charity No. 210065 VAT Registered No. 945 7459 77local people, and visitors from farther afield, is also of paramount importance for future well-being. Such a wildlife-rich, accessible, and large open space allows encounters and engagement with the full diversity of nature, where wildlife and human history combine to make it unique and irreplaceable. We are therefore requesting and advising that Colchester City Council removes the current site allocation for housing at Middlewick Ranges and provides revised housing allocations at alternative, more suitable and environmentally sustainable locations. We also request that the Council commits to fully protecting Middlewick Ranges by formally designating the site as a Local Nature Reserve or Country Park. In addition, we request that the old grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges (Weir Lane) should be included in Colchester's Green Network by including them as part of a protected Local Nature Reserve/Country Park alongside Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Local Wildlife Site for wildlife and the people of Colchester to enjoy.

Form ID 10727

Site 
None

Respondent 
Historic England

Agent
Historic England

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Historic England Planning Policy Team Our ref: Colchester City Council PL00794596 Telephone 01223 582775 05 January 2024 Dear Planning Policy Team Colchester Green Networks and Waterways Consultation Thank you for consulting Historic England on the Colchester Green Networks and Waterways Consultation. As the Government's adviser on the historic environment Historic England is keen to ensure that the protection of the historic environment is fully taken into account at all stages and levels of the local planning process. We have reviewed the online consultation material and although we do not have the capacity to review each individual site and provide specific comments for each, Historic England can provide the following general comments in relation to planning for green networks and waterways in relation to the historic environment: Green Networks, Waterways and the Historic Environment Historic England would highlight that Green and Blue Infrastructure should not only be considered in terms of the natural environment, health and recreation but also the role it can play in conserving and enhancing the historic environment. It can be used to: conserve and enhance heritage assets improve setting of heritage assets improve access to heritage assets create a sense of place and tangible link with local history create linkages between heritage assets and other green infrastructure Conservation and enhancement of the natural environment is an important facet of sustainable development. There is an important synergy between the historic and natural environment. Countryside, landscape parks and the open spaces in our cities, towns and ABOUT Historic England, Brooklands, 24 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge CB2 8BU Telephone 01223 58 2749 HistoricEngland.org.uk Stonewall Please note that Historic England operates an access to information policy. DIVERSITY DISABLED CHAMPION Correspondence or information which you send us may therefore become publicly available.Historic England villages often have heritage interest, and it would be helpful to highlight this. It is important not to consider 'multi-functional' spaces only in terms of the natural environment, health and recreation. It may be helpful to make reference in the text to the role GI can have to play in enhancing and conserving the historic environment. It can be used to improve the condition and setting of heritage assets and to improve access to them. Likewise the historic environment can help contribute to the quality, character and distinctiveness of green spaces by helping to create a sense of place and a tangible link with local history. Opportunities can be taken to link new GI networks into already existing green spaces in town or existing historic spaces such as church yards to improve the setting of historic buildings or historic townscape. Maintenance of GI networks and spaces should also be considered so that they continue to serve as high quality places which remain beneficial in the long term. In Colchester, green spaces surrounding and the historic environment provide an important component of the landscape setting of the historic city. These features help to make Colchester the special and unique place that it is today. They serve to protect heritage assets and their settings, and some are designated as heritage assets in their own rights. They play a crucial role and form part of the character of this historic city. Maintaining and enhancing these features is critical to the future of this City. Baseline Data Registered Parks and Gardens (RPGs) should be included in the data set for the assessment. Other datasets, e.g. the National Trust or access land layers, can help to improve understanding regarding accessibility, but it will not be a complete picture. We suggest that it would be helpful to include Scheduled Monuments (SMs) as a dataset. Many SMs are 'green' features within the landscape, covering woodland, grassland, etc., and while (like RPGs) they have varying degrees of accessibility and variable conditions, they present opportunities for improvements to benefit access, health & well-being and biodiversity. Likewise we suggest that you include Conservation Areas as a dataset. Green spaces, trees, water courses, etc., contribute so much to shaping and defining the key characteristics of Conservation Areas - directly related to the project's aims of place-making and maintaining local distinctiveness. You may also want to consider interrogating Natural England's datasets on current/live agri-environment schemes, both to see where subsidised investment is ABOUT Historic England, Brooklands, 24 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge CB2 8BU Stonewall Telephone 01223 58 2749 HistoricEngland.org.uk DIVERSITY Please note that Historic England operates an access to information policy. CHAMPION DISABLED Correspondence or information which you send us may therefore become publicly available.Historic England concentrated and to identify those areas/assets where there are 'gaps', allowing a more informed discussion of potential opportunities and where multiple organisations to focus resources. You may also want to consult the Historic Environment Record and Local Lists which could provide useful baseline data. Neighbourhood Plans will also have identified locally important green spaces/open spaces and so we suggest consulting these too. Opportunities for enhancement and landscape character assessment and historic landscape characterisation We anticipate that some of the potential 'opportunities' identified during this process are likely to be at more of a landscape scale (e.g. large-scale woodland creation, re- wilding, etc.), raising the question of how a sound understanding of Landscape Character Assessment / Historic Landscape Character Assessment will inform this process. The synergies between your work on green spaces and also landscape character assessment and historic landscape characterisation need to be made. Future work affecting heritage assets and their settings Would remind you that any proposals that might affect heritage assets will require necessary consents e.g. Listed Building Consent/Scheduled Monument Consent. WE would encourage early engagement with Historic England in relation to future proposals. Conclusions In preparation of the forthcoming evidence base for the Local Plan we encourage you to draw on the knowledge of local conservation officers, the county archaeologist and local heritage groups. Finally, we should like to stress that this opinion is based on the information that you provided. To avoid any doubt, this does not affect our obligation to provide further advice and, potentially, object to specific proposals, which may subsequently arise where we consider that these would have an adverse effect upon the historic environment. We hope that the above comments of assistance. ABOUT Historic England, Brooklands, 24 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge CB2 8BU Stonewall Telephone 01223 58 2749 HistoricEngland.org.uk DIVERSITY Please note that Historic England operates an access to information policy. CHAMPION DISABLE Correspondence or information which you send us may therefore become publicly available.Historic England Yours sincerely Debbie Mack Historic Environment Planning Adviser Debbie.Mack@HistoricEngland.org.uk ABOUT Historic England, Brooklands, 24 Brooklands Avenue, Cambridge CB2 8BU Stonewall Telephone 01223 58 2749 HistoricEngland.org.uk DIVERSITY Please note that Historic England operates an access to information policy. CHAMPION DISABLED Correspondence or information which you send us may therefore become publicly available.

Form ID 10731

Site 
None

Respondent 
Mr Bob Russell

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
The Review of the Local Plan provides an opportunity for Colchester City Council to correct what, if this was a legal matter for the courts, a serious miscarriage of justice in respect of the inclusion of Middlewick for the development of a 1,000 house estate.
If Councillors at the time had known what we now know, I believe that they would never have included Middlewick from the outset.
As it was, by the time matters relating to the Local Plan in its entirety had progressed to the final vote of all 51 Councillors – without the benefit of what is now known about Middlewick’s special ecological characteristics – the argument was put forward that this site could not be withdrawn at that stage without it resulting in the whole of the Local Plan not proceeding.
The Review of the Local Plan proves that it is possible for Middlewick to be removed. If there is a political will to do so by Councillors. It is Councillors who should be making decisions. Not Officers.
Building on Middlewick has never had the whole-hearted support of Councillors. Fewer than half voted for the Local Plan! A majority did not vote for the Local Plan!
For reasons which were never given, more Councillors than usual were absent from the Full Council meeting. Some abstained. Some voted against.
Of the six Councillors whose Wards are directly impacted by development on Middlewick – all having previously expressed opposition – five abstained and one voted in favour (he is no longer a Councillor).
Now that it is known that Middlewick can be removed from the Local Plan, my belief is that these five – along with other abstainers and non-attenders who I surmise did not turn-up because they did not want to support the Local Plan with Middlewick included – would vote to remove Middlewick, given the chance to do so.
As it is now known that Middlewick need never have been included in the Local Plan, I would not be surprised if even some of the Councillors who voted for the Local Plan would now vote for the deletion of Middlewick!
Why is Middlewick in the Local Plan?
Firstly – because the Ministry of Defence applied to have the site included in the Local Plan.
Second – because Colchester City Council agreed to put the site in the Local Plan.
We can in equal measure blame the Ministry of Defence (Government) AND we can blame Colchester City Council for agreeing. Both are to blame for what we are now faced with – a planning and environmental blunder.
It is up to Councillors to use the Review of the Local Plan to stop this blunder going ahead.
In 2016 it was announced that the Ministry of Defence was going to close the Firing Ranges at Middlewick at some date in the future. Subsequently the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (part of the MOD) submitted a request for 2,000 dwellings to be included in the Master Plan – it was a very late submission.
I am left with the impression that chasing house numbers was a greater priority for Planning Officers than concerns over the destructive environmental and planning consequences of building on Middlewick.
When Colchester City Council reduced this to 1,000 dwellings I thought this was an achievement. It was only when the Public Inquiry into the Local Plan commenced (via Zoom) that it became clear that the Council had not needed to agree to a single dwelling! It was the Council who said 1,000 houses was acceptable. They could have said None!
Because I thought the 1,000 houses was a done-deal which the Council had to go along with, my efforts from that “deal” were “damage limitation” – suggesting that the development should be moved to the south in order to avoid the sprawl of an urban coalescence (along Abbot’s Road) of Old Heath and Monkwick
I was not best pleased when at the Inquiry I found out that the Council could have rejected the (DIO) Ministry of Defence’s application in its entirety!
I have no recollection of Councillors – and the general public – being advised that total rejection was an option!
Just because a landowner wishes to have land put into the Local Plan, there is no obligation for the Council to agree – even when the landowner is the Ministry of Defence…….a publicly-funded body, of course.
Since the Inquiry, compelling evidence has come forward to show that the biodiversity characteristics of Middlewick are such that NO development should be permitted. Therefore the Council – for the benefit of existing and future generations – should withdraw Middlewick from the Local Plan.
Others, more knowledgeable than I, will be providing overwhelming evidence that the ecological arguments are so powerful that it would be reckless for Councillors to allow Middlewick to remain in the Local Plan.
Yours sincerely,
Bob Russell
Sir Bob Russell. Former Councillor, Former Leader of the Council, former MP for Colchester

Form ID 10504

Site 
Abberton - ManWood Chase, Abberton, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Caroline White

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Other

Other uses 
Bird watching. Looking for flora and fungi

How could this space be improved 
Safe storage for bikes

Other improvements 

Comments 
Safe cycling storage to encourage pools to cycle there instead of driving. Manage there recreational cycling that has grown in popularity there.

Form ID 10296

Site 
Aldham - Aldham Hall Wood

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Ancient woodland is an irreplaceable wonderful thing and we must cherish it for future generations

Form ID 10143

Site 
Birch - Billets Wood, Birch

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10145

Site 
Birch - Birch Valley, Birch

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to Keep all dogs on leads. Put pressure on the Chelmsford diocese to maintain birch church.

Comments 

Form ID 10149

Site 
Birch - Birch Valley, Birch

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10505

Site 
Birch - Cooks Wood, Birch

Respondent 
Ms Caroline White

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Manage for wildlife.

Form ID 10369

Site 
Central Colchester - Bull Meadow

Respondent 
Ms Kate Wilcox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Walk to work or other commute, Cycle to work / other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Would be brilliant if a path could be opened up to walk on both sides of the river all the way to east hill, creating a nice additional circular wall within the park and nicer pedestrian access to Ipswich Road roundabout.

Form ID 10100

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Castle Park

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10105

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Castle Park

Respondent 
Edward Benton

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Observe and record wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins, Other

Other improvements 
observing and recording wildlife

Comments 
CNHS has been intensively monitoring this area, notably riverside long-grass areas and Land Lane Open Space, since the change of management was introduced in 2000. We have a large data-set, with exceptionally rich assemblages of butterflies (22 spp) dragonflies (18spp), solitary bees (approx. 50 spp), hoverflies, birds (78spp) and many flowering plants. This year there seems to have been a change of management of the grassland, with no late summer/ autumn cut. This risks loss of plant diversity and consequences for invertebrates, birds etc. Original agreed management should be reinstated without delay.
Open mosaic with grassland must be maintained here. This is crucial for biodiversity conservation, public amenity and climate change amelioration. It is essential that there is NO MORE TREE PLANTING. The implication in topic 4 above, that 'planting' is necessary for biodiversity conservation is a very serious error.
Similarly, separation of comments on these green spaces from comments on the river is highly misleading. The river needs to be considered as part of a habitat mix including both aquatic and terrestrial habitat - most obviously as wildlife corridor for birds, especially but also for species such as dragonflies which have both aquatic and terrestrial stages in their life cycles.

Form ID 10297

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Castle Park

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10409

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Castle Park

Respondent 
Ms Holly Knowles

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
A wonderful park to be proud of with Beautiful flower and gardens.
The toilets need to be checked more regularly and better maintained.
There are frequently people ignoring the no bikes sign and cycling at speed in the park.
Many people ignore the no dogs signs and bring them into the park. I love that the upper park is dog free as it provides a safe space for children away from dogs and dog mess.
Please can there be more done to make sure that the rules of the park are adhered to.

Form ID 10541

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Castle Park

Respondent 
Mr Chris Lacey

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Cycle to work / other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10605

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Castle Park

Respondent 
Mrs Liz Cutting

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Watching wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Improve site for nature and biodiversity, potentially a jewel in the heart of Colchester

Comments 
Good progress has been made in Castle Park/Riverside in the last few years with more sensitive grassland management. Continue to improve the grassland management in terms of keeping mowing infrequent (and at the right time of year) and zero use of wildlife damaging pesticides. Oh and no more tree planting please. Please make sure that the river and river banks TOGETHER are part of the overall nature and biodiversity management. Dragonflies for instance require the fresh clean and undisturbed water of the river in which to breed but cannot exist also without appropriate bankside vegetation. The river, banks and the park are part of the same vital habitat and must be managed together in absolute sympathy with each other for wildlife; different bits cannot be managed separately in isolation when they are interlocking parts of the whole.

Form ID 10298

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Leisure World, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Vital to have green spaces like this in the city centre.
In the winter the path near the part of the river where it becomes a lake often floods and can become impassable. It would be nice if this problem could be sorted.

Form ID 10542

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Leisure World, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Chris Lacey

How do you use this green space 
Childrens play, Other

Other uses 
Swimming, Exercise

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Could use some internal improvements in the swimming pool changing areas particularly.

Form ID 10212

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Roman Wall, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr darius laws

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Middleborough section of the Roman Wall should be lit up at night as it is the main entry point when walking from the station.

Form ID 10299

Site 
Central Colchester - Colchester Roman Wall, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Amazing to be able to walk around an actual Roman wall!
We like doing this walk in winter when countryside paths are too muddy.
Would be improved if the route all round the wall was made into a clearer circular walk with a path all the way (eg at the North East corner there isn't a path)

Form ID 10129

Site 
Central Colchester - Colne Bank Avenue Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Kieran Franklin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Better pedestrian connections between Cymbeline Meadows and areas across the Avenue of Remembrance, particularly Hilly Fields and Spring Lane.
Put in a signal-controlled crossing at the bottom of Water Lane, to connect to Hilly Fields via Sheepen Road and move the existing crossing back to the roundabout where it used to be, creating two useful crossings instead of the existing very inconvenient one. Having a signal controlled crossing at Sheepen Road here could also open up the possibility of a phased junction allowing right turns into Sheepen Road from the A133 to access the Institute and retail park, relieving traffic on the Colne Bank roundabout.
Put in another crossing at the Spring Lane roundabout to improve access to Cymbeline Meadows from Lexden, as it is currently dangerous trying to cross here.

Form ID 10155

Site 
Central Colchester - Colne Bank Avenue Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Kristin Bradley

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
I live very close to this area (just off Glen Avenue) but have only been walking there twice, as to access it I have to take my life in my hands crossing a high speed two way road (Cymbeline Way) without any pedestrian provision. There really needs to be a pedestrian and cyclist traffic light at the bottom of Glen Avenue. Right now it feels like motor traffic speeds are valued more than human lives in Colchester.

There is also a cycle path which cannot be accessed for the same reason.

Access via the spring lane roundabout is also inadequate as despite what the Highway Code may say, motorists do not give way to waiting pedestrians at the entrance and exit points to the roundabout. There should be pedestrian and cycle traffic lights at this roundabout as well.

Form ID 10289

Site 
Central Colchester - Colne Bank Avenue Public Open Space

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10496

Site 
Central Colchester - Colne Bank Avenue Public Open Space

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Access to nature

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement, Other

Other improvements 
Barrier removal or redesign

Comments 
This is one of Colchester's most treasured green spaces, one that I know is well cared for with a lot of ecological investment soon to come also. I will leave others more expert to comment on ecological issues though.
Accessibility-wise however, less thought has been given over the years to equality of access for wheelchair/scooter users. It is home to one of CCC's only 2 designated 'easy access' trails across the city, BUT this is only a 1/2 mile long (return), and has not to my knowledge been extended itself, or added to, in at least 28 years.
Access at the Water Lane entrance on Cymbeline Way would enable a hard-surface loop in conjunction with The Chase, but was made harder (impossible for many) by the removal of a gap some years back and installation of a kissing gate on Cymbeline Way.
Charter Wood is inaccessible in its entirety to chair/scooter users unable to use the kissing gate at the main approach from Cymbeline Meadows, yet there is room aplenty here to accommodate larger/alternative barrier options.
In conjunction with better access to the Charter Wood, I would love to see an improved path leading down from this point along the headland/hedgerow to the junction with the Chase. Again this would offer users of all-terrain chairs and scooters a new loop, by connecting the top path from Charter Wood to the farm, with the Chase, in the mid-section.
The bridge over the Colne at the end of Water Lane and beginning of the Chase is also not currently wheelchair accessible but could easily be made so by ramping the step on approach from both directions.

Form ID 10543

Site 
Central Colchester - Cowdray Avenue Allotment Gardens

Respondent 
Mr Chris Lacey

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Growing crops

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
A really important facility for our household and our neighbours

Form ID 10213

Site 
Central Colchester - Cowdray Avenue Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr darius laws

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
This cycling link needs actually linking up to Rouse Way on the northern side of the river

Form ID 10710

Site 
Central Colchester - Cowdray Avenue Public Open Space

Respondent 
Michael Padmore

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Walk to work or other commute, Cycle to work / other commute, Other

Other uses 
Cowdray Marsh is an important area for plants and wildlife.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Conservation work parties

Comments 
This site needs regular conservation work, e.g. coppicing, to maintain it as a wet marsh. Home to Otters, Kingfishers, Cetti's Warbler, dragonflies and much more.

Form ID 10246

Site 
Central Colchester - Drury Road Allotment Site

Respondent 
Chris Nattrass

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
allotment

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Much-appreciated green space for allotment-holders and neighbouring properties.
Invaluable during Covid.
Helps to introduce people of all ages to the benefits of fresh air, being outdoors and growing your own produce.

Form ID 10300

Site 
Central Colchester - Eld Lane Baptist Church Religious Ground, Eld Lane,

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
To welcome people of Colchester into church community events eg Christmas fun, to the food bank, for Open Door clients (many are homeless or needy in other ways eg mental health, addiction...). This forecourt to the church is used well as an open space right in the busy town centre, where people can come and join in prayer and many other things.

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10092

Site 
Central Colchester - Flagstaff Road Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Formalise the worn path through this space and remove the minor trip hazard behind the sub station

Comments 

Form ID 10476

Site 
Central Colchester - Irvine Road Orchard, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Shaun Thomas

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Community management of Orchard, events, wildlife survey

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
The Orchard is managed by a dedicated Charity and would be open to discussions about how the Council could further collaborate to further the management and use of the Orchard.

The map and designations also need to be updated in the light of the development of the houses and the establishment of the Community Orchard.

Form ID 10705

Site 
Central Colchester - Irvine Road Orchard, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Claire Law

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10130

Site 
Central Colchester - Meander Mews Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Kieran Franklin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Walk to work or other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Complete the foot/cycle path link between Meander Mews and Rouse Way!!

Form ID 10545

Site 
Central Colchester - Meander Mews Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Chris Lacey

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Cycle to work / other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
It would be very nice if the fantastic cycle/path that runs parallel to Cowdray Avenue past Meander Mews (in the direction of the Waitrose roundabout) was extended such that pedestrians and cyclists could carry on all the way to the mill.

Form ID 10214

Site 
Central Colchester - River Colne

Respondent 
Mr darius laws

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
kayaking

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Portage in/out of river

Comments 
There should be portage in/out of the river by the old (Belle Vue Road) outdoor swimming pool, by lower Castle Park and before/after the sluice at east bay

Form ID 10339

Site 
Central Colchester - River Colne

Respondent 
Mr Phil Coleman

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Cut back of nettles and brambles along the whole length of the river bank from North Station Road to Hythe, so river can be seen. Create more seating along the river. Create fishing pontoons.

Form ID 10093

Site 
Central Colchester - The Arena Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Running, playing with my children

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Wider footway on northern edge of Abbey Fields. Stop cars parking on the grass

Comments 

Form ID 10335

Site 
Central Colchester - The Arena Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Marc Inman

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Cycle to work / other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Ensure Abbeyfields remains an open space for the local community to utilise and enjoy.

Form ID 10368

Site 
Central Colchester - The Arena Public Open Space

Respondent 
Ms Kate Wilcox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
I used to run here while doing couch to 5k but people drive and park very dangerously at all times but especially at school pickup times. They drive across the cycle/footpaths to park on the grass in non-designated areas, churning up the grass. I've even seen a family drive right into the middle of the grass area so they could have a picnic next to their car. I think more needs to be done to prevent this antisocial parking.

Form ID 10495

Site 
Central Colchester - The Arena Public Open Space

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Other

Other improvements 
Biodiversity enhancement

Comments 
I partly love this space for its openness and do see that there is an argument for SOME green space in the heart of cities to be left open eg for games/sports etc. But this is a vast area of green to be left this way, and a dearth of green interest in terms of plant and wildlife. It would be great to see a good deal more creative planting across this site.
Accessibility-wise, I would like to see north/south and east-west routes connect with it. I can imagine this contentious, and Im not unsympathetic. But as it is, it is a difficult space for chair users to engage with at all, and of course vast to route around the periphery. I think that were paths to be part camouflaged by new planting, some new paths could work well for all. They would not need to literally bisect the space in both directions but allow access into it and perhaps connect the periphery with eg new picnic area/s and new planting etc

Form ID 10674

Site 
Central Colchester - The Arena Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Chris Piggott

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed

Other improvements 

Comments 
This site owned by the MoD and fundamentally maintained by them is local to me and used almost everyday. We, as a family use this as a route to take our daughter to school, play balls games and have picnics with friends and family.

I have been increasingly concerned over the last few years that this space has turned into a race track and a bit of a car park for residents. It is particularly very dangerous at school drop off times. Despite the MoD putting signs up, this has not improved. It is an accident waiting to happen. The grass is also very damaged and it now an eye sore on the perimeters. Especially on Circular East.
Is there a possibility that trees can be planted on the edges, or work with the MoD to build/implement some sort of special car park that allows grass to grow thus making it safer and easier on the eye?

Fly tipping has now become an issue. I noticed last year that bundle of old car tyres were dumped in the vegetation on the path way. They were there for months. Then right at the end of last year there was what appears to be a dumped kitchen. This was also there a while. When I reported this to the council, (twice) I got a sorry, not our problem type of response, so and so deal with it. I found it very unhelpful and it made it feel that they only care about space in Colchester if they have to.

After a lot of digging and research l, finally found a contact and managed to report it and clear it. Something I feel that could have been a lot easier if the council supported with or did on my behalf.

I also do regular litter picks here and in the playground. More bins would be a great addition and hopefully will keep the area cleaner and tidier.

The playground on the field is in need of some TLC. I was disappointed to see the list of upgrades late last year with the site not on it. This is despite me reporting my concerns on it as far back as Feb 2023 (c) the kids swings are missing, the bus stop type green frames and covered in absence graffiti that has been written by school children. Half hearted patchy paint jobs to cover it, simply isn’t good enough. The soft black tarmac flooring is ripping up and missing chunks across the whole playground. My daughter has even fallen over and had an accident in pot hole in there.

Please do not take the tone of this comment as moan, moan and negative. I love this area and only want it better. But there is a lot more the council can do the make it better and I believe they should definitely be collaboration with the MoD more to aid this.

Form ID 10301

Site 
Copford - Copford Hall Wood

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Appreciate being able to walk here

Form ID 10152

Site 
East Colchester - Colchester Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Ecological value

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Existing no mow spaces on the site support good wildlflower populations, insects and associated wildlife (including hedgehogs). Other areas of the site provide opportunity to create more of these nature-friendly spaces without compromise to other uses of the site.
These other areas include the areas under and surrounding the copses of trees along Primrose Walk.

Form ID 10302

Site 
East Colchester - Colchester Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Great play area for children, and good having the large green space to walk in, play football etc.
My elderly parents enjoy walking across the green to get to their dentists'

Form ID 10392

Site 
East Colchester - Colchester Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Ms Emma McNally

How do you use this green space 
Dog walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10103

Site 
East Colchester - Harwich Road Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Edward Benton

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Observe and record wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
manage grassland for biodiversity/ open mosaic habitats

Comments 
CNHS has been recording wildlife at this site for several years. It has flower-rich grassland and is habitat for a wide range of invertebrates, including bumblebees, solitary bees and other pollinators. In parts of the close-mown areas, cutting frequency should be reduced. In long-grass areas annual or bi-annual cutting should be introduced to prevent reversion to rank grasses and secondary woodland

Form ID 10188

Site 
East Colchester - Harwich Road Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and Green Infrastructure function

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage should be erected to explain the ecological value and environmental functionality of the site

Comments 
I visit Pondfields to appreciate its wealth of wildflowers and the emerging naturalised areas where tree planting has taken place. Among the latter are natural oak saplings starting to take root to supplement the planted species.

In the far north east corner, around the Wilson Marriage Rd entrance, Meadow Crane’s-bill grows and flowers in profusion quite late in to the autumn. It was still flowering on my last visit in November. This is a lovely larger crane’s-bill restricted to the south of the country. It is unusual to see it in such large numbers.


The site is quite wet giving it greater capacity for carbon capture. This is enhanced with minimal management: the more natural growth that occurs, the better the carbon capacity of the soil.


The site is also a wildlife corridor and green route between the Greenstead slopes, the railway line margins and the green spaces and gardens in St John’s.


For these various reasons of ecological value and green infrastructure functionality, more areas of Pondfields should be managed for nature.

Specifically, in addition to the existing naturalised areas, margins to the south, east and north should be managed on a single cut & collect basis in October.

A detailed walk around the site suggests that wide no mow margins could be left to the south, east and extreme north boundaries of the site. These margins can vary from 5m (in areas around access points for instance) up to 40m (particularly at the point at which pedestrian access from Barnardiston Rd enters the site. This is a very wet area offering little in the way of amenity value and much in the way of green infrastructure function).

From observations made on several visits, these changes to a single cut & collect mowing regime in October for those boundary margins would not have any impact on the recreational use of the site.

Form ID 10604

Site 
East Colchester - Harwich Road Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mrs Liz Cutting

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Finding wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Give wildlife management more prominence.

Comments 
Less frequent mowing. Clear out Porters Brook.

Form ID 10186

Site 
East Colchester - Hawthorn Avenue Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Ecological value

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain ecological value of the site should accompany the change in management described below.

Comments 
Over the last two years margins to the west and to the south of the site have been allowed to grow unmown between March and October, with a single cut & collect mow in October.

During this period I have surveyed the unmown areas and found numerous native wildlfowers and increasing insect activity. Example flower species included Buck’s-horn Plantain, Common Cat’s-ear, Small-flowered Crane’s-bill, Common Mallow, Dove’s-foot Crane’s-bill and Yarrow.
Insect species observed included ladybird, butterflies including Large & Small White, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Common Blue, crickets and grasshopper, hoverflies.


I have also talked to local people on the site who have appreciated the natural look of the areas and confirmed that it did not interfere with their usual use of the recreation ground.


Recommendation: this no mow regime should be maintained on the west and south margins of the site and extended to the east bank alongside Hawthorn Ave and to the under tree area alongside Hickory Ave.

Over time the cut & collect process will lower the fertility of the soil, deuce the vigour of the coarse grasses thereby improving conditons for the existing native wildlfowers and associated insect populations to thrive.

Form ID 10271

Site 
East Colchester - Home Wood, Wivenhoe

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Its biodiverity value is important, as for other woodlands in this area.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10104

Site 
East Colchester - Juniper Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Edward Benton

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Observe and record wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is an exceptionally rich site for biodiversity, with dry grass-heath at higher points, lower level damp grassland, scrub, and woodland. CNHS has been recording biodiversity for several years and has a data base of plants, insects, birds etc, including at least two Essex Red Data book bee species. The site has been neglected, with mown pathways through the site the only sign of activity. The site should be designated as a Local Wildlife Site or nature reserve, with an active management plan. This would urgently introduce an annual cut to several COMPARTMENTS ESPECIALLY WHICH REVERSION TO SECONDARY WOODLAND IS ALREADY TAKING PLACE. it is importance to recognise the importance of grassland as a valuable habitat that should be maintained - both for biodiversty/ climate chance mitigation and amenity. data available on request

Form ID 10201

Site 
East Colchester - Juniper Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Interpretive signage would be helpful describing the reasons for the naturalistic management.

Comments 
I make occasional recreational use of the Greenstead North slopes (Juniper Way). I have also participated in informal ecological surveys of the slopes.
During the course of one such survey in May 2022 we found 31 wildflower species in flower including cuckoo flower, cut-leaved crane’s-bill, wild wood-rush and scabious.
The variety of long grass areas, woodland and emerging scrub in the naturalised areas creates a very attractive and naturalistic landscape. There are numerous wet areas across the site. These are especially important for environmental services such as carbon capture and flood attenuation as well as providing important habitat in its own right.
One long-term resident we met reported foxes, bats, squirrels, hedgehogs (including local residents looking after hedgehogs with visits to animal hospitals and creation of hedgehog highways between gardens).
When asked about possibly narrowing the amenity margins in favour of more naturalised area she reported that it might not be popular as dog walkers use it heavily. We also saw several places where youngsters had made hides and “dens” in the undergrowth.
Of the change in general she reported that people had “grumbled” about the naturalised and whip-planted areas at first but now
(three years later) saw them as just normal.
The area also provides an important corridor function through a large part of densely populated urban space.
Naturalised areas will tend to scrub and eventually woodland without any management (witness oak and blackthorn saplings emerging). This will undermine the important wildflower habitat on site and the variety of visual amenity the site offers. Expert advice should be sought for best management of the site for the benefit of the widest range of ecological and green infrastructure functions it can support.
The site overall achieves a great balance between public amenity and ecological value. Ecologically, it is a model for management of public open space achieving a combination of habitats and uses each determined by its underlying structure.

Form ID 10275

Site 
East Colchester - Juniper Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10603

Site 
East Colchester - Juniper Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Liz Cutting

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Watching wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Manage for wildlife and biodiversity

Comments 
Less frequent mowing, no tree planting.

Form ID 10709

Site 
East Colchester - Juniper Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Michael Padmore

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
A wonderful green space, with lots of interesting plants and insects. Important area for biodiversity.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Manage for wildlife - low mow, with some areas cut for games, paths.

Comments 
An important green space that helps to link High Woods to Salary Brook and on to the estuary.

Form ID 10303

Site 
East Colchester - Old Heath Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Great playground for children and good to have the green space to walk in/ play football etc. My elderly parents enjoy walking across the green to get to their dentists' (sorry, I accidentally put this for Colchester rec ground too, I meant this one)

Form ID 10405

Site 
East Colchester - Old Heath Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Ms Holly Knowles

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Other

Other uses 
Exercise/ outdoor gym

How could this space be improved 
Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I visit the rec for recreation several times a week and also use it to walk through to get to work.
Whilst I appreciate it is a well loved site for dog walkers, a small minority do not pick up their dogs mess which is very unpleasant and a health hazard. Especially when it is a site used by so many children. I have attended the “park play” group at the rec and the dog mess is a health hazard when we are playing games on the grass. There are several other groups who also use the grass for activities and again the dog mess is dangerous for them. The grass space is very large, perhaps having half of it as a dog free zone would be beneficial for those who used it for games and sports.
Also some dog walkers ignore the sign to keep their dogs on leads in the nature garden. This could lead to wildlife being disturbed and is also disrespectful to the volunteers who run it.

Form ID 10269

Site 
East Colchester - Salary Brook, Colchester

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
Everything should be done to encourage nature and biodiversity here.

Form ID 10503

Site 
East Colchester - Salary Brook, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Caroline White

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Bird watching. Looking for wildlife and flora/ fungi to record / view

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed

Other improvements 

Comments 
This area should be managed as a wildlife area especially with all of the building.

Form ID 10516

Site 
East Colchester - Salary Brook, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Sarah Manning

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Other

Other uses 
Enjoying nature and local wildlife

How could this space be improved 
More dog bins or litter bins, Other

Other improvements 
Maintain as a green space and don't build on it

Comments 
Highly valuable green space in an extremely impoverished (and nationally notorious) area, and used heavily by both locals and visitors. Not only does this greatly improve the physical and mental health and well-being of everyone who enjoys the space, it is also a vital site for wildlife, boasting a range of habitats which in turn makes it a highly valuable and biodiverse site. So few sites like this remain in Colchester, having been built over with shoddy (yet never affordable) housing; the non-monetary value of such places must be recognised before they are all lost.

Form ID 10521

Site 
East Colchester - Salary Brook, Colchester

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Access to nature

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Other

Other improvements 
Barrier removal or redesign

Comments 
The Colchester Orbital route (East A section) runs along the valley floor of Salary Brook. Hence my specific interest. At Pickford Walk, the Orbital East B route also forks off from the East A and heads diagonally uphill across meadowland to the tree line.

The potential accessibility of this section of the Orbital, the East A route in particular, is good, in that it is step and barrier free. However, the path surfacing, which is tarmac along the full length, is in bad repair in places, which makes access for wheelers uncomfortable/difficult. This issue also makes the path feel neglected in places which in turn makes it feel less safe. Signage is also scruffy which contributes to the same feeling. The south end is in better repair than the north.

The area around the playground adjacent to Titania Way in particular feels unloved.

In addition, there are no seating places, which reduces accessibility for older and ambulant disabled people. Please ensure that any seating is well-sited (consult?) and includes at least some with armrests.

There is also a poor sense of permeability with the neighbouring Greenstead estate, even though the latter has plentiful greensward and there are connecting routes between the two. It would be great to better identify and improve these.

Accessibility here is also compromised by the difference in level between the valley path and Avon Way, which makes some of the routes steep. But nonetheless ensuring that they are well-surfaced and signed, and step/barrier-free, would make a great difference. It would also improve access to buses along Avon Way, and therefore make shorter sections of Salary Brook more available to more people.

Regarding the Orbital East B route, which forks off at Pickford Walk, there are some immediate barriers before the path reaches the meadowland, including a bridge and a stile. I would like to see this replaced by the least restrictive option ie the bridge improved to ensure access for all, and a large accessible kissing gate to replace the stile.

Salary Brook is a beautiful space with so much potential that is more or less realised! But with a bit extra love, thought and investment could be an amazing and very inclusive green space.

Form ID 10558

Site 
East Colchester - Salary Brook, Colchester

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement, Other

Other improvements 
Crossing point on Bromley Road

Comments 
I commented already on this green space but wanted to add, the lack of a crossing point on the Bromley road compromises safe onward connectivity between Salary Brook and Welsh Wood (part of the Colchester Orbital route).

Form ID 10707

Site 
East Colchester - Salary Brook, Colchester

Respondent 
Michael Padmore

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Conservation work, nature walks, biodiversity.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Regular conservation work parties to maintain and expand the biodiversity.

Comments 
Salary Brook benefits from regular coppicing and other conservation practices. It is a vital green space and green corridor.

Form ID 10332

Site 
East Colchester - St Andrew's Gardens Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain management changes proposed below

Comments 
St Andrews Green is a regularly mown “village green” type open space with some maturing trees. I have made visits to survey wildflowers on two occasions. The sward has always been cut short but nevertheless is thick with abundant wildflower plants, almost all prevented from flowering by the frequency of mow. No other users of the site were evident at the time of visits and there was little sign of regular recreational use (no informal scuffed play areas and no desire lines obvious). Given the wildflower potential of the sward, two areas of the green should be adopted as wildflower “islands”. These might amount to c.40% of the site. These should be mown once a year in October with arisings removed. Signage should explain the change. The rest of the site should be mown as normal. This will provide an attractive “frame” to the “wild islands” and will ensure there remains plenty of open space for recreational use.

Form ID 10187

Site 
East Colchester - St Andrews Church, Whitethorn Close,

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Ecological value

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain the site’s status as a Local Wildlife site would help people appreciate the site more and perhaps allow an increase in the areas managed for nature.

Comments 
I visit the site to appreciate the wide variety of native wildflowers on the site. The last time was in August when the first thing that struck me was the minty aroma of Lesser Calamint on the air. This is a long-flowering, richly nectared plant which is a specialist of undisturbed and unimproved dry, acid grassland (itself a rare habitat). It is unknown across most parts of the country and restricted to this part of Essex where its preferred but increasingly rare dry grassland still exists. When I looked down, I realised that I was walking on a carpet of the Calamint which, even in its mown state, was flowering profusely, growing densely and fragrancing the air itself. Behind the church more of the site was left with unmown areas. These were buzzing with insect life and visually rich with diverse wildflower species. Recommendation: more of the back churchyard could be left unmown without damage to the respectful environment needed for its primary purpose but with great benefit to its ecological value.

Form ID 10712

Site 
East Colchester - St Andrews Church, Whitethorn Close,

Respondent 
Michael Padmore

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Space for nature.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Low mow maintenance.

Comments 
This churchyard has a good range of wildflowers, which attract pollinators. It is a lovely space to sit and enjoy nature.

Form ID 10304

Site 
East Colchester - St John's Green Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Walk to work or other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Very special as this is the site where a civil war cannon was fired: the one that blew the top off St Mary's church. So gives you an amazing connection with the rich history of Colchester. There should be a plaque explaining this.
Also a green "breather" close to the city centre, and giving this area a special almost village green feel.

Form ID 10098

Site 
East Colchester - The Moors Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10199

Site 
East Colchester - The Moors Open Space

Respondent 
Michael Padmore

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Cycle to work / other commute, Other

Other uses 
A vital space for nature: Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Cuckoo, Nightingale, Teal, Goosander, Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and many more. Also rare plants including Wormwood and Small Teasel.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
This site has an essential role to play in creating a green/blue corridor for wildlife. People need spaces to experience nature.

Comments 
This space, in common with many others, does not need more tree planting. It needs a proper ecological management plan. It has become overgrown with nettles and brambles and needs a cut and collect plan. In the past, a community group has held regular work parties to look after the area, which contributed to community engagement and wellbeing.

Form ID 10287

Site 
East Colchester - The Moors Open Space

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is a valuable green area close to the centre of Colchester. It links the Hythe and East Hill with a pleasant route.

Form ID 10393

Site 
East Colchester - The Moors Open Space

Respondent 
Ms Emma McNally

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10544

Site 
East Colchester - The Moors Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Chris Lacey

How do you use this green space 
Cycle to work / other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
It would be really nice if the green space could be extended such that the cycling route from Castle Park to Wivenhoe did not have to break off at Hythe station and run along a road of an industrial site before reconnecting by the Light Ship.

Form ID 10609

Site 
East Colchester - The Moors Open Space

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Appreciate of nature, quietness

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is a most special area. I wont comment on biodiversity enhancement because others are better equipped to do so. I dont know whether it would benefit in terms of its biodversity from any additional planting or simply leaving alone and gentle, knowledgeable management. I would only say, please leave its wild character ! We tidy up, even with planting, too many such spaces. This area is loved for these qualities.
Please also dont push bushes etc back TOO far or extend path any wider than need be, all of these risk contributing to a more cleansed feel.
I also dont know whether more dog bins are necessary (ie or whether ignorance is the main issue), but dog fouling is a big problem along here. I wont be the only one to comment! Maybe education/management somehow is the better solution,

Form ID 10270

Site 
East Colchester - Thousand Acres, Colchester

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Its biodiverity value is important, as for other woodlands in this area.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10273

Site 
East Colchester - Welsh Wood

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important, as for other woodlands.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10305

Site 
East Donyland - Donyland Wood

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Special wood with interesting plants and wildlife. Very appreciated

Form ID 10338

Site 
East Donyland - Donyland Wood

Respondent 
Mx C Dewhursy

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Joined up/safe crossing

Comments 
I used to live in Colchester and one reason I moved to Scotland was overdevelopment you have in the sout east of England and threat to ancient woodland. I still visit Colchester on occasions and glad to see some of my favourite walking spots remain. However, congestion and speeding on Essex roads made me feel unsafe crossing highways to access other green spaces to the west. If you could put some traffic calming measures this would really help. Even better if it could be linked up by a safe walking route to other green spaces. Thanks for listening.

Form ID 10174

Site 
East Donyland - Roman River East, Fingringhoe

Respondent 
Libby Arnold

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
The footpath between the villages of Rowhedge and Fingringhoe is now inaccessible during the winter due to a short flooded area just before the Mill. This is now happening every year and prevents the villagers accessing each village- including some people who work and all who love walking dogs and hiking in the area. It prevents me from enjoying my favourite walk. We have to drive round to Fingringhoe instead of walking across. A lot of people have also mentioned this to me as it is impassable during the winter thus preventing us enjoying our green spaces.

Form ID 10306

Site 
East Donyland - Roman River East, Fingringhoe

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Lovely walk here

Form ID 10307

Site 
East Mersea - Cudmore Grove Country Park

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Lovely place for family walks, picnics, flying a kite, picking blackberries. Also at the right time of year there are lots of interesting water birds. Appreciated by many.

Form ID 10500

Site 
East Mersea - Cudmore Grove Country Park

Respondent 
Ms Caroline White

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Bird watching, looking for plants, fungi and other nature to view/record

How could this space be improved 
Safe storage for bikes, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Areas such as stone point restricted to people/ dog walkers especially during bird nesting period.

Comments 
The grazing fields are not always managed well. There are regular dog walkers as well as visitors who allow dogs to run through the grazing fields and in the ponds chasing resting/feeding birds. Dogs are off lead and people partying and camping in Stone Point during the bird nesting period when ringed plovers are nesting on the ground. Dogs run through the grazing fields where ground nesting birds such as lapwings nest.,
More wildflowers could be planted. The hog fennel is doing well there which is good.

Form ID 10308

Site 
East Mersea - Fen Farm Saltmarsh, East Mersea

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Salt Marshes are an extremely important rare ecosystem which we must protect for future generations and for their wildlife

Form ID 10276

Site 
Langenhoe - Abberton Reservoir

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10147

Site 
Langenhoe - Chest Wood and Roman River Complex, Layer de la Haye

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10142

Site 
Layer Breton - Layer Breton Heath

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10309

Site 
Layer Marney - Layer Marney Tower

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Lovely place for walking, with amazing historic building

Form ID 10128

Site 
North Colchester - Bergholt Road Allotment/Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mr Kieran Franklin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Accessing my allotment

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Fix the broken cycling connection. The cycle lane ends at the top of Three Crowns Road with cyclists having to rejoin traffic on Bergholt Road and navigate the North Station roundabout. Providing a safer segregated connection through the station car park and forecourt would improve use of this green space as a transport connection for cyclists.

Form ID 10280

Site 
North Colchester - Bullock Wood

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important, as for other woodlands.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10340

Site 
North Colchester - Colchester Community Stadium, United Way, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Phil Coleman

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Dome the two small pitches and advertise its availability

Form ID 10101

Site 
North Colchester - Highwoods Country Park

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Signage within Highwoods Park

Comments 

Form ID 10102

Site 
North Colchester - Highwoods Country Park

Respondent 
Edward Benton

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Observe and record wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is probably colchester's prime space for biodiversity, which is brilliantly managed with compromise for other amenity uses. The amount of dog walking and fouling (including urination) is increasing and is a threat to wildlife habitats. it needs to be much more closely regulated, and diverted as far as possible to less sensitive areas.
Your fourth category contains a radical misunderstanding. Biodiversity enhancement is NOT dependent on more 'planting' - rather, the creation of open mosaic habitats, through ride management and clearings in the wooded areas, coppicing and grassland management are keys to this.

Form ID 10272

Site 
North Colchester - Highwoods Country Park

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important, as for other woodlands.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10310

Site 
North Colchester - Highwoods Country Park

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
A total gem of a place. Really important for the people of Colchester to be able to walk in, play in, and be in nature.
It is managed very well.
Very important for wildlife. The team there do a huge amount to engage the public with wildlife and nature eg health walks, fungi foray, volunteering, the Big Garden with its help for refugees etc etc.
Excellent play area too.

Form ID 10337

Site 
North Colchester - Highwoods Country Park

Respondent 
Paul Baker

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Maintenance / management improvements, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
More dog bins located more centrally in the country park.

More firm footpaths to enable walking to the train station in all weathers, especially from Ipswich road.

Form ID 10341

Site 
North Colchester - Mile End Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mr Phil Coleman

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment

Other improvements 

Comments 
Create a small basketball court with two blackboards and cage surround on existing site

Form ID 10343

Site 
North Colchester - Mill Road Public Open Space 2

Respondent 
Mr Phil Coleman

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Create safe open space, install activities like low ropes circuit, playground or outdoor basketball court.
Seating and planting around outside.

Form ID 10342

Site 
North Colchester - Northern Gateway Sports Ground, Cuckoo Farm Way, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Phil Coleman

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment

Other improvements 

Comments 
Install a children's playground.
Install basketball court.
Put signage in place to promote the site from A12 junction.

Form ID 10482

Site 
South Colchester - Ball Grove, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Sheila Poole

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10200

Site 
South Colchester - Barnhall Avenue Public Open Space

Respondent 
Michael Padmore

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Cycle to work / other commute, Other

Other uses 
This is a large open space which could be managed much more effectively for wellbeing and for nature.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Change to low mow cutting regime.

Comments 
This space is given frequent buzz cuts even in the driest weather conditions. Some of it should be left unmown to give nature a chance. It would be easy to do this while still providing space for dog walkers and children to play ball games.

Form ID 10373

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Edward Benton

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Observe and record wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
retain as wildlife site appropriately managed

Comments 
This forms part of the wider complex of important sites for wildlife, including Middlewick ranges and the grassland further south to Donyland Wood and the Friday Woods SSSI. Effective conservation entails linkages between mosaics of different habitats. This and adjacent sites would be an ideal focus for Colchester's Nature Recovery Strategy

Form ID 10383

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Emma Bamfield

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
This area of land houses nightingales. It deserves to be protected from the impact of potential building on middlewick

Form ID 10389

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Jennifer Martin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Protect this and adjacent site from housing development

Comments 
This is a vitally important site for rare species and for breeding nightingales, also a wildlife corridor linking to the Roman River Valley SSSI. This site should be protected by removing the adjacent Middlewick Ranges from the Local Plan and making it a Nature Reserve. Putting a large housing development there will negatively impact this site with the pollution, noise, lighting, increased cats and dogs etc.

Form ID 10390

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
David Davies

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Wildlife photography

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Weir Lane Grassland (Southern ‘Mitigation Land’)
Weir Lane Grasslands (between Middlewick/Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI) should be formerly included in CCC Green Network for the following reasons:
- It is threatened by ploughing up and experimental chemical treatment (sulphur spreading) – under the current Local Plan – in order to ‘replace’ the ancient acid grassland at Middlewick Ranges.
- It is already much-loved open green space used by families and dog-walkers across a number of public footpaths. A ‘hidden gem’.
- This area represents one of the most extensive areas of tall and tussocky grasslands in Colchester District and wider Essex, being over 100 hectares in size!
- This grassland is a wild corridor and DIRECTLY connects a number of important habitats and sites for wildlife in South Colchester (including with designations) as follows:
i) To the north: Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Wood Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS) as well as Donyland Wetland, Colchester Cemetery and Bourne Brook LoWS.
ii) To the south-east: Roman River SSSI and LoWS, Upper Colne Marshes SSSI and Rowhedge Pits and Donyland Woods LoWS
iii) To the south-west: Friday Woods (Roman River) SSSI and surrounding Manwood Chase, Ball Grove and Layer Brook Pasture Local Wildlife Sites
- Weir Lane Grasslands supports tall tussocky grassland which will support a range of wildlife; small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, bats and a vast number of invertebrates. Kestrels, owls and buzzards are known to feed here showing presence of voles/shrews.
- The hedgebanks which divide the grassland into smaller fields support many large and ancient oaks and the presence of bracken, broom and wood sage shows a degree of sandy soils as indicated by soil tests. This shows the huge potential of this grassland if it is protected from ploughing up/sulphering and managed sensitively for wildlife.
- Some areas of grassland support finer grasses such as common bent and meadow grasses, and there are areas of abundant flowers like yarrow, oxeye daisy and St John’s-wort.
- This is NOT ‘ecologically benign’ or ‘low value’ or ‘arable land’ as mistakenly claimed in the online Stantec report! (They surveyed it immediately after a hay cut which means a proper survey did not take place; but they still should not have mislabelled this important are an ‘arable rye grass ley’.)
- Weir Lane Grassland should be included in the Colchester’s Green Network and protected from ploughing up and chemicals by making this a protected Nature Reserve/Country Park alongside Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Local Wildlife Sites – For residents and wildlife of Colchester to enjoy.

Form ID 10397

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Lyn Kilvington

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Safe storage for bikes, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Green health space for all to use safe and free

Form ID 10401

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Essex Field Club

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Studying and enjoying biodiversity

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Protection

Comments 
This wonderful site is indirectly threatened by the proposed development of Middlewick Ranges. Should that development proceed - and I oppose it wholeheartedly as it threatens the unique biodiversity of that site - then there would be inevitable consequences for this adjacent site, which is a valued and much-loved wildlife site with much merit in terms of providing habitat for many birds - including breeding nightingales - and protected invertebrate species as well as rare flora. The inevitable pressure brought by adjacent development would undoubtedly have negative consequences for the site in form of pollution, predation/damage by domestic animals (roaming cats plus dogs off lead) and massively increased footfall and invasion by garden-escape plants, all of which has been seen in many other such sites close to new development.

Form ID 10414

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Anne Taylor

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This area has exceptional habitat especially for Nightingales and other endangered wildlife. We HAVE to protect this vital green space for future generations. We know impact of climate change and building on these spaces will compound our failure as custodians of this planet.

Form ID 10415

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Chris Gregory

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
This very important part of Colchester's natural habitat has one of the most important populations of Nightingale in Essex. It also contains Essex Red list plants including varieties of ferns and is a vital habitat for wildlife with a direct link to the Roman River Valley.which is listed as a SSSI. Development of Middlewick would threaten this special haven for wildlife and effect the breeding of Nightingales by increasing pollution, noise, increased lighting, trampling and an increase of cats and dogs which would all result from the building of a large housing estate next to it.

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10430

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr mark fisher

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Conservation of Wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
a wildlife corridor to the Middlewick Ranges Nature reserve.

Comments 
Here Colchester Council have a wonderful opportunity to link up all these wildlife rich areas to Middlewick Ranges as one big Nature reserve by protecting them from future development .

Form ID 10432

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Laura Bayley

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Echoing my comments about the Middlewick Ranges, this is a beautiful and peaceful area to walk around, providing a much needed break from the hustle of work and general day-to-day activities. Such areas are vital for the mental wellbeing of so many people. It also provides an incredibly important corridor for wildlife as well as a great nesting area for nightingales. Any large development on or near this site would dramatically affect this due to light pollution and the increase in cats.

Form ID 10445

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Michael Padmore

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
CNHS is producing a book about 70 iconic species of plants and animal found in NE Essex. I've written the piece about Nightingales and Birch Brook Wood has one of the largest populations of Nightingale in the region - and therefore in the whole of the UK. This is a bird that is threatened with extinction in UK. We cannot afford to lose sites where it has continued to be successful.

Form ID 10450

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Davina Bamford

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
PROTECT THIS AREA of natural beauty and ecological signifiance from housing development. Retain as a country park/wildlife site.

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is a biological corridor connecting middlewick ranges land to natural habitats to the south, containing a significant water source for the wildlife that inhabits the area - seen as one to them. Both Birch Brook and Middlewick Ranges must be preserved as a wildlife/country park as part of Colchester's Green Network. Rare acid grassland and nightingales will be wiped out if development is permitted

Form ID 10457

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
The area’s status as a LoWs should be restated in the reviewed Local Plan. Its role as an ecological corridor should be included in a strategic management plan to maximise the green infrastructure function of the adjacent wildlife sites to the south of the City.

Comments 
Birch Brook Wood is an important area for a number of scarce and even rare species of wildlife including Nightingales - a species scarcely hanging on in this country and one which has found a sanctuary in this corner of Essex. It is well used and loved by recreational walkers for its green peace and setting. When Middlewick is removed from the Local Plan, Birch Brook Wood, Middlewick itself and a proposed new green space (“Weir Lane Grasslands - see separate submission) should be established as an extended wildlife site with controlled public access. This would then form a continuous green space to Donyland Wood, the Roman River sites and River Colne. A new strategic management plan for the entire area should be constructed ensuring public use is compatible with its crucial ecological value and green infrastructure functions, while allowing each of the discreet habitat areas to be managed according to its specific ecology.

Form ID 10464

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr David Rice

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Photography

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
This area should be designated a Country Park/ Nature Reserve/ Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is populated with many species including deer and nightingales. Please remove it from the Local Plan and do not build anywhere close to it!

Form ID 10528

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Alumno Research Group

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Linked envorionments and wild life

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Birch Brook Local Wildlife Site to the south of Middlewick. THis supports one of the most important populations of Nightingale in the county, contains Essex Red List plants including a variety of ferns, and is generally a vital resource for wildlife and a connecting corridor, directly linking to Roman River Valley SSSI. Development of Middlewick would threaten this wildlife haven – including the breeding Nightingales – due to increased pollution, noise, lighting, trampling and cats and dogs associated with a large new housing estate next door.

Form ID 10537

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Sarah Munson

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
wildlife photography

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Preserve this important habitat by designating as a Nature Reserve / Country Park

Comments 
The Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site is another important habitat for rare and endangered and legally protected species, including skylarks and nightingales. It forms a vital dark green, peaceful corridor which is an important habitat for one of Essex’s major Nightingale populations as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife. The impact of light and noise pollution, along with human activity, that would result from any proposed housing development on the adjacent Middlewick Ranges would be absolutely devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook. Wildlife habitats and populations within Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Woodland are inextricably linked and therefore, given its vital role in supporting endangered species the Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site should also be preserved and protected by designating it as a Nature Reserve / Country Park.

Form ID 10560

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Simon Hughes

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
I suggest Middlewick be protected by designating a Nature Reserve/Country Park and removal from the Local Plan. This supports one of the most important populations of Nightingale in the county, contains Essex Red List plants including a variety of ferns, and is generally a vital resource for wildlife and a connecting corridor, directly linking to Roman River Valley SSSI. Development of Middlewick would threaten this wildlife haven - including the breeding Nightingales due to increased pollution, noise, lighting, trampling and cats and dogs associated with a large new housing estate next door.

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.

- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.

- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.

Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)

[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org. uk/middlewick-ranges ]

Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan

- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.

- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.

- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).

- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!

- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an 'Important Invertebrate Area' (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www. buglife.org.uk/our-work/important-invertebrate- areas/

- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.

- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.

"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."

Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.

- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.

- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.

- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!

- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex's most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.

- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs - would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)

- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.

- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology - effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.

- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well- being.

Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces - and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).

- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10562

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Deborah Booth

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Make it a nature reserve/country park

Comments 
Birch Brook is a unique area of ancient woodland, home to large population of nightingales, deer, badgers..
Also contains many plants on Essex red list, rare ferns. It is a vital resource for wildlife, and linking to Roman River valley. Building next to this woodland would ruin it, light pollution, noise. It is so peaceful, please don’t let it be built on.

Form ID 10586

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Essex Field Club

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
national and county ecological study of a Local Wildlife Site for biodiversity

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
The whole complex of grasslands, scrub and woodland between Roman River SSSI and Abbotts Road including Weir Lane Grassland, Birch Brook and Middlewick LoWS should be a protected large nature reserve; it is one continuous ecological unit and incredibly important corridor for species to move between SSSI and LoWS in southern Colchester - as well as habitat in its own right.

Comments 
This supports one of the most important populations of Nightingale in the county, contains Essex Red List plants including a variety of ferns, and is generally a vital resource for wildlife and a connecting corridor, directly linking to Roman River Valley SSSI. Development of Middlewick would threaten this wildlife haven – including the breeding Nightingales – due to increased pollution, noise, lighting, trampling and cats and dogs associated with a large new housing estate next door.

Form ID 10590

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr simon Cross

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Bird and wildlife watching/photography

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Birch Brook and Weir Lane Grasslands to the south provide an important corridor linking Middlewick to other important wildlife sites including Roman River SSSI.
Weir Lane... is a much loved and much used recreational site open green space used by families and dog-walkers across a number of public footpaths... This area represents one of the most extensive areas of tall tuft grasslands in the Colchester District and wider Essex.
It is a wild corridor and connects a number of important habitats for wildlife in South Colchester including to the north Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Wood Local Wildlife Sites as well as Donyland Wetland, Colchester Cemetery and Bourne Brook
To the south-east: Roman River SSSI, Upper Colne Marshes SSSI, Rowhedge Pits and Donyland Woods.
To the south-west Friday Woods (Roman River) SSSI.
Weir Lane Grasslands supports tall tussocky grassland which supports a range of wildlife; reptiles, amphibians, birds, bats and a vast number of invertebrates. Kestrels, owls and buzzards are known to feed here showing presence of many small mammals, voles, field mice and shrews.
This should never been registered as ‘low value’ or ‘arable land’ as mistakenly claimed.
Weir Lane Grassland should be included in the Colchester’s Green Network and protected as a Nature Reserve/Country Park alongside Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Local Wildlife Sites – For residents and wildlife of Colchester to enjoy.
I have serious concerns over the intention to use these grasslands as a site to replace the acid grass that would be lost on Middlewick

Form ID 10599

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr simon Cross

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Painting and Sketching

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Nature reserve/ country park to protect the site from development.

Comments 
Birch Brook Wood supports one of the most important populations of Nightingale in the county, contains Essex Red List plants including a variety of ferns, and is generally a vital resource for wildlife and a connecting corridor, directly linking to Roman River Valley SSSI. Development of Middlewick would threaten this wildlife haven – including the breeding Nightingales – due to increased pollution, noise, lighting, trampling and cats and dogs associated with a large new housing estate next door.

Form ID 10620

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Dagmar Engelken

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
nature photography, nature recording, birdwatching

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
put it in the local plan as a nature reserve, together with middlewick ranges. don't sell it to a housing developer. don't developm middlewick for housing.

Comments 
together with the wick and the grassland area between birch brook and weir lane, this forms a continuuous nature reserve/ network of habitats with Doneyland woods and friday woods. prime site for nightingales. it will be ruined by the housing development nearby. needs to be protected for future generations.

Form ID 10633

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
dr linda mahon-daly

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
wildlife observation

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
needs to be designated a statuary nature reserve due to its extensive and rare biodiversity

Comments 
this area is important for wildlife nightingales breed and lots of rare plants including ferns. It is an important wildlife corridor to the roman river area which in itself leads out to the coast.
Housing nearby ( proposed midddlewick development) would increase the pressure on this area with increased polution dog walking and light polution. It needs protection, designate middlewick as nature reserve not developement land.

Form ID 10646

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Adam Mountstevens

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Birch Brook Wood is an important area of green space for locals to the area (Old Heath). It is one of the reasons why I chose to live in the area. The amount of wildlife many of which are protected by law live here. I live nearby and have bats and stag beetles that fly over from the area and feed in my garden in the summer. I am about to have my first child and would like for them to have this area of greenspace protected for their use. Why are you discussing what you can do to help the environment and reduce the impacts of Climate Change on one hand and on the other, concreting on any open space developers can get their hands on. It makes no sense for this land to be built on. I use it all the time for local walks with my wife and it is great for our mental health. I believe that the council over the past decade have preceded to reduce Colchester residents quality of life bit by bit and its time to stop and think about the residents more carefully. You are overdeveloping the city. Please protect this valuable land for the people of Colchester.

Form ID 10651

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
enform

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
We are an organisation but promote its use as a wildlife area.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
We are an organisation but promote its use as a wildlife area.

Comments 
Birch brook is an important wildlife sites that connects a range of other important wildlife sites. It supports one of the most important populations of Nightingale in the county, contains Essex Red List plants including a variety of ferns, and is generally a vital resource for wildlife and a connecting corridor, directly linking to Roman River Valley SSSI. Natural England have advised us that this area is important in supporting the ecological health of surrounding SSSI areas.
It is already a designated Local Wildlife Site and we would like negotiations to take place to designate it as a Local Nature reserve.

Form ID 10655

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Andrew Wilkinson

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
no improvements required

Comments 
Although I no longer live in the area I still occasionally use this area for walking through. It is a bit too dense to use for recreational purposes but is great for wildlife. It is an important part of the Middlewick Ranges area and all the local wildlife sites.

Form ID 10672

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Richard Cockerton

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Include this area in CCC Green Network

Comments 
Weir Lane Grasslands (between Middlewick/Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI) should be formerly included in CCC Green Network for the following reasons:

- It is threatened by ploughing up and experimental chemical treatment (sulphur spreading) – under the current Local Plan – in order to ‘replace’ the ancient acid grassland at Middlewick Ranges.
- It is already much-loved open green space used by families and dog-walkers across a number of public footpaths. A ‘hidden gem’.
- This area represents one of the most extensive areas of tall and tussocky grasslands in Colchester District and wider Essex, being over 100 hectares in size!
- This grassland is a wild corridor and DIRECTLY connects a number of important habitats and sites for wildlife in South Colchester (including with designations) as follows:
i) To the north: Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Wood Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS) as well as Donyland Wetland, Colchester Cemetery and Bourne Brook LoWS.
ii) To the south-east: Roman River SSSI and LoWS, Upper Colne Marshes SSSI and Rowhedge Pits and Donyland Woods LoWS
iii) To the south-west: Friday Woods (Roman River) SSSI and surrounding Manwood Chase, Ball Grove and Layer Brook Pasture Local Wildlife Sites
- Weir Lane Grasslands supports tall tussocky grassland which will support a range of wildlife; small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, bats and a vast number of invertebrates. Kestrels, owls and buzzards are known to feed here showing presence of voles/shrews.
- The hedgebanks which divide the grassland into smaller fields support many large and ancient oaks and the presence of bracken, broom and wood sage shows a degree of sandy soils as indicated by soil tests. This shows the huge potential of this grassland if it is protected from ploughing up/sulphering and managed sensitively for wildlife.
- Some areas of grassland support finer grasses such as common bent and meadow grasses, and there are areas of abundant flowers like yarrow, oxeye daisy and St John’s-wort.
- This is NOT ‘ecologically benign’ or ‘low value’ or ‘arable land’ as mistakenly claimed in the online Stantec report! (They surveyed it immediately after a hay cut which means a proper survey did not take place; but they still should not have mislabelled this important are an ‘arable rye grass ley’.)
- Weir Lane Grassland should be included in the Colchester’s Green Network and protected from ploughing up and chemicals by making this a protected Nature Reserve/Country Park alongside Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Local Wildlife Sites – For residents and wildlife of Colchester to enjoy.

Form ID 10683

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Rob Smith

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
I am not a resident of Colchester, but have visited this site many times in conjunction with the adjacent Middlewick Ranges site. I view these sites together as a regionally important site for wildlife.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
by not building anything on the adjacent Middlewick Ranges site. It will degrade due to increased recreational use

Comments 
This is a regionally important site for nesting Nightingales. It also contains interesting flora with 3 Essex Red- Listed fern species and other scarce woodland plants. We have written to the Local Plan Committee separately, letter dated 4th January 2024. Together with the Middlewick Ranges site, this Local Wildlife Site forms an important link with the regionally-important wildlife of Middlewick and the rest of the Roman River Valley. It is a precious resource that should be retained to support the Green Network and should never be built on. This will destroy nationally important invertebrate assemblages and degrade other significant ecological aspects.
Robert Smith
Butterfly Conservation, Cambridgeshire & Essex branch

Form ID 10693

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Liz Lee Reynolds

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Ensuring this important area is protected

Comments 
Ensure protection of this area, which is an important habitat for nightingales and other species as well as Red listed plants and provides a vital resource for wildlife and a connecting corridor, directly linking to Roman River Valley SSSI. This would be threatened if development was to happen on the local Middlewick Ranges due to increased pollution, noise, lighting, trampling and cats and dogs etc.

Form ID 10701

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Rhi McDermott

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Such a lovely part of the Wick. I have so many memories of the stream from playing with my dogs and others in it, to swinging over the stream and my daughter, herself playing in it. We love having access to this wonderful site, the mixture between open fields to shaded woods. I always finish the walks, calm and clear.

Form ID 10711

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Sheila Reader

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
This needs to be preserved as a valuable green space. This supports one of the most important populations of nightingales in the county and is a connecting corridor to the Roman River Valley SSSI. Development of Middlewick Ranges would threaten this wildlife haven.

Form ID 10718

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Janis Bear

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
It should be included in the ccc network for the reasons below

Comments 
Weir Lane Grasslands (between Middlewick/Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI) should be formerly included in CCC Green Network for the following reasons:
- It is threatened by ploughing up and experimental chemical treatment (sulphur spreading) – under the current Local Plan – in order to ‘replace’ the ancient acid grassland at Middlewick Ranges.
- It is already much-loved open green space used by families and dog-walkers across a number of public footpaths. A ‘hidden gem’.
- This area represents one of the most extensive areas of tall and tussocky grasslands in Colchester District and wider Essex, being over 100 hectares in size!
- This grassland is a wild corridor and DIRECTLY connects a number of important habitats and sites for wildlife in South Colchester (including with designations) as follows:
i) To the north: Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Wood Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS) as well as Donyland Wetland, Colchester Cemetery and Bourne Brook LoWS.
ii) To the south-east: Roman River SSSI and LoWS, Upper Colne Marshes SSSI and Rowhedge Pits and Donyland Woods LoWS
iii) To the south-west: Friday Woods (Roman River) SSSI and surrounding Manwood Chase, Ball Grove and Layer Brook Pasture Local Wildlife Sites
- Weir Lane Grasslands supports tall tussocky grassland which will support a range of wildlife; small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, bats and a vast number of invertebrates. Kestrels, owls and buzzards are known to feed here showing presence of voles/shrews.
- The hedgebanks which divide the grassland into smaller fields support many large and ancient oaks and the presence of bracken, broom and wood sage shows a degree of sandy soils as indicated by soil tests. This shows the huge potential of this grassland if it is protected from ploughing up/sulphering and managed sensitively for wildlife.
- Some areas of grassland support finer grasses such as common bent and meadow grasses, and there are areas of abundant flowers like yarrow, oxeye daisy and St John's Wort. This is NOT ‘ecologically benign’ or ‘low value’ or ‘arable land’ as mistakenly claimed in the online Stantec report! (They surveyed it immediately after a hay cut which means a proper survey did not take place; but they still should not have mislabelled this important are an ‘arable rye grass ley’.)
- Weir Lane Grassland should be included in the Colchester’s Green Network and protected from ploughing up and chemicals by making this a protected Nature Reserve/Country Park alongside Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Local Wildlife Sites – For residents and wildlife of Colchester to enjoy.

Form ID 10729

Site 
South Colchester - Birch Brook Wood, Colchester, Colchester

Respondent 
Colchester Natural History Society

Agent
Colchester Natural History Society

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
The Colchester Natural History Society wishes to share some comments and concerns regarding the Green Network and Waterways Consultation. This letter is instead of inputting into the various boxes on the consultation website.
Firstly Middlewick Ranges has to come out of the Local Plan immediately and be designated as a nature reserve or country park on account of the exceptionally rich wildlife found there. This area of acid grassland is the largest left in Essex now and the rich assemblage of invertebrates have led it to become a National Important Invertebrate Area – taking on a national significance. Over 1400 invertebrate species have been recorded and 150 species of those have a conservation status. It is also an important green lung for those who live on the south side of town and is a well visited site.
Secondly the Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site appears threatened by the land being put up for sale. Any housing nearby would lead to much disturbance and degradation of the fabric of the wood, to the actual brook, as well to many species including the important breeding population of nightingales. This area needs protecting as a Green Space
Thirdly the Weir Lane grasslands are an exceptionally rich set of meadows, currently unspoilt and visited by many locals, as seen by the well-walked network of pathways across them. There can’t be an equivalent size of similar grasslands anywhere else in the borough. This whole area is part of the mitigation for the proposed Middlewick development, which will destroy these rich grasslands by ploughing and sulphur application. This whole area needs protecting as a Green Space.
From the wording, there appears to be a presumption that green spaces and waterways are only of interest to the Council for public amenity. Ecological importance and biodiversity barely feature, which is hugely worrying, as there should be more emphasis on managing and enhancement for wildlife. Every open green space and each of the waterways are of great value to wildlife. In recent years the Council has begun steps to manage amenity grasslands for wildlife which is greatly encouraging. There should be more roll-out of the Wivenhoe Green Spaces Project across all of the borough and within a quicker timescale too. By spring next year there will be the new duty on public authorities to have regard to relevant LNRS. The Council needs to demonstrate it is safeguarding wildlife across the borough and fully action any points in the forthcoming strategy.
As always Colchester Natural History is keen to engage with Council officers to ensure Green Spaces and Waterways are sympathetically managed for biodiversity.

Form ID 10359

Site 
South Colchester - Black Heath, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Daniel Layzell

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Other

Other uses 
Walking children to school

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Widen paths.
Look at options and ways of improving wildflower mix.
Improve some areas that have been neglected with waste an d uneven surfaces.

Form ID 10311

Site 
South Colchester - Bourne Mill & Distillery Pond

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Amazing place for bats, come at dusk with a bat monitor!

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10406

Site 
South Colchester - Bourne Mill & Distillery Pond

Respondent 
Ms Holly Knowles

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Walk to work or other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I regularly walk from Roosevelt way to Bourne road via the footpath through this green space. I usually have a child in a buggy and the steep gradient of the hill makes it almost impossible. The texture of the path also does not provide sufficient grip. It would be very useful if the gradient of the path or direction it goes in could somehow be adjusted to be less steep.
This path also seems too hidden and enlclosed and could perhaps be made more welcoming to discourage bad behaviour. I once witnessed a drug deal here.
The wooden path which leads from here to old heath road is a nice idea but I feel could be much improved. It is far too narrow so if you are pushing a buggy and meet someone coming the other way it is very difficult to get pass. There is frequently dog mess on it as well and it’s it is narrow it is difficult to avoid. This means I do not use this route very often as I find it difficult to navigate.

Form ID 10408

Site 
South Colchester - Bourne Mill & Distillery Pond

Respondent 
Ms Holly Knowles

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
This woods and the beautiful Distillery pond is a hidden gem of Colchester. It is a shame that there is no public footpath from old heath road to distillery pond to link them. The private road is of very poor surface and floods easily making it very difficult to access distillery pond on foot from this direction.
The trees on this site hang over the path on old heath road which makes it difficult to walk along the path.

Form ID 10481

Site 
South Colchester - Bourne Mill & Distillery Pond

Respondent 
Mrs Sheila Poole

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed

Other improvements 

Comments 
Areas left inaccessible in order for birds to nest without being disturbed.
Signs for dogs to be kept on leads in Bourne Woods.

Form ID 10582

Site 
South Colchester - Bourne Mill & Distillery Pond

Respondent 
Doreen Drew

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10312

Site 
South Colchester - Cemetery and Crematorium, Mersea Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Peaceful place and nice it is big and spacious.
Amazing place for wildlife as well as its primary purpose. Eg loads of bats!! Very special.

Form ID 10454

Site 
South Colchester - Cemetery and Crematorium, Mersea Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Anita Bond

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Visit graves etc

How could this space be improved 
More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10484

Site 
South Colchester - Cemetery and Crematorium, Mersea Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Sheila Poole

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10096

Site 
South Colchester - Church Road Open Spen

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10375

Site 
South Colchester - Donyland Wetlands, East Donyland, Colchester

Respondent 
Edward Benton

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Observe and record wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
as with other local sites, continue to manage for biodiversity

Comments 
Part of the very important complex of sites linking Middlewick Ranges with Donyland Wood and the wildlife sites in the Roman River Valley. Together of great value as topics for Nature Recovery strategy of Colchester.

Form ID 10095

Site 
South Colchester - EarlsWood Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10556

Site 
South Colchester - EarlsWood Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Part of the Colchester Orbital, this new greensward has great potential for highly accessible, inclusive walking and cycling - level and step/barrier free with good play provision.
However there is a dearth of rest points, and apart from the Garrison itself, not so much of interest, though it is early days. Could there be more creative planting and wilding of this green space, for the sake of biodiversity enrichment and connectivity. And so that the garrison doesn’t dominate quite so much?
Please ensure regular rest points are well-sited and have armrests for older users.

Form ID 10358

Site 
South Colchester - Finchingfield Way Playground, Colchester, CO2 0AU

Respondent 
Mr Daniel Layzell

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 
Improve footpath adjacent to field. Currently unusable

Comments 
Some minor improvements to play equipment. Replace spring sit ons with a slide.
Have a wildflower area that is mown. Rotate grass areas that get cut.
Improve area around the goal. Fill in hole/divert in ground

Form ID 10313

Site 
South Colchester - Friday Wood

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Very special place to us for family walks.
A great shame that the main car park was closed so abruptly.
Good paths mean this is a good place for winter walks when other places are too muddy. Very helpful for keeping spirits up in the grey, dark time of year.

Form ID 10344

Site 
South Colchester - Friday Wood

Respondent 
Mrs Rosanne Taylor

How do you use this green space 
Dog walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
More dog bins or litter bins, Other

Other improvements 
Return of car parking

Comments 
I used to enjoy walking here regularly but have not been able to since the car park on Bounsted Road was closed.

Form ID 10314

Site 
South Colchester - Gosbecks's Park, Gosbecks Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Excellent for walks from our house. So precious to have this and it not all be built up. Especially as there are points of Roman interest (where the temple and amphitheatre were....) and it's also excellent for wildlife eg in summer you can join in moth evenings.

Form ID 10346

Site 
South Colchester - Gosbecks's Park, Gosbecks Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Rosanne Taylor

How do you use this green space 
Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Car park is not maintained so gets flooded.
Increase marking of nesting areas to stop people walking in these areas rather than on designated footpaths.
Cow field by the new Bloors housing development is now regularly flooded due to poor maintenance of excess drainage from new houses.

Form ID 10360

Site 
South Colchester - Holt Drive Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Daniel Layzell

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Places to sit

Other improvements 

Comments 
Play area getting overgrown with weeds. Uneven surfaces in play area.
Lovely site with lots to play on. A lower basketball net would be amazing.
A picnic table would be fabulous as often meet after school for a picnic

Form ID 10407

Site 
South Colchester - Horrocks Close Playground, Colchester, CO2 8SD

Respondent 
Ms Holly Knowles

How do you use this green space 
Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit

Other improvements 

Comments 
A lovely play area but a shame there is no place to sit. A bench or two is really needed.

The structure with the slide on the left as you face the park from the road, has wooden designs on the side. Are all the pieces there? It looks incomplete.

Form ID 10485

Site 
South Colchester - Hythe Lagoons, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Sheila Poole

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Birdwatching

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Needs to be managed again so it’s safe for nesting Lapwings, for example.

Additional, proper steps down to the bird hide would be helpful.

Form ID 10494

Site 
South Colchester - Hythe Lagoons, Colchester

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
As a wheelchair user and regular path user between the Hythe and Rowhedge, it is a sadness to me that I have never been able to see/visit the Lagoons. I wouldn’t personally want to compromise the ecology of the site to do so, but if there was any way to construct a path from site-sensitive materials, enabling chair users to get to an accessible hide, that would be a great result.

Form ID 10107

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Stacey Knight

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10108

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Gary Plummer

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is one of the most important Bio diverse pockets of land in Colchester and must be protected from being built on.

Form ID 10292

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Richard Kilshaw

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Wildlife watching: bird watching, reptile, insect and plant spotting

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
changes to the habitat management regime.

Comments 
Although the UK Priority habitat 'Dry acid grassland' and associated nationally and rare insects require regular close management, other, more neutral / less acidic grassland areas, ie. the majority northern swathe of the site is more robust semi-natural grassland , termed 'Lowland meadow' with its own rare plant and wildlife assemblages including large populations of common lizard, slow worm and skylarks. This area has usually been cut at end of June or during July - which as well as peak nesting season for skylarks but also peak flowering period for meadow plants, significantly reducing the abundance of such species, which in turn, reduces the perceived biodiversity value of this area to all but the most observant users.

Form ID 10315

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Really important area for wildlife.
And also such valuable green space in a built up area. We know how important these are for everyone's mental health, as well as vital biodiversity.
Hands off for any housing developments! Do you just want a load of people who are miserable and can't easily get to a precious green space??

Form ID 10319

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Martin Pugh

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Enjoying the wonderful nature/wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Protect Middlewick as a Nature Reserve/Country Park safe from development

Comments 
I am extremely worried about Middlewick Ranges continued inclusion in the Local Plan, allocated for up to 1000 houses. This would mean the end for this amazing Local Wildlife Site - and also result in a disaster for wildlife in South Colchester more generally. On a personal level, this sites means a lot for my family, my sons love this wild space... but as an ecologist of 20 years, this is even more important:

This site is an ESSENTIAL part of the Green Network of Colchester connecting the Roman River SSSI, Birch Brook Local Wildlife Site and surrounding permanent grassland - with the centre of Colchester including Colchester Cemetery, along with people's gardens. The current Local Plan will permanently sever this vital 'link' in the chain for biodiversity. People will notice significantly fewer birds on their bird tables as a direct result!

The destruction of Middlewick Ranges under housing - as facilitated by the Local Plan - would also mean the loss of one of the most important acid grasslands in Essex and the loss of a 'biodiversity hotspot' for invertebrates, being of UK importance and supporting well over 1000 species including dozens with conservation status including Red Data Book. And all the other wildlife which depends on Middlewick, from mammals inc bats, to reptiles, amphibians, birds - and an increasingly rare flora associated with acid grassland including waxcaps found in very few other locations.

In its continued inclusion of Middlewick Ranges in the Local Plan - and now with the land up for sale - CCC is flirting VERY dangerously with the flouting of NUMEROUS environmental and wildlife laws and designations and obligations, both existing and upcoming - from NPPF, LNRS, Environment Act (obligated Biodiversity Net Gain!) and the Green and Blue Networks Strategy... The destruction of one of the most important and largest acid grasslands in WHOLE Essex would not only fall foul of many of these statutory obligation, but also send a horrendous message to other planning authorities and developers - and the good people of Colchester. Many of whom depend on the Wick for their physical and mental health.

This site and its incredible flora, fauna and heritage is irreplaceable - no number of experimental techniques or dodgy science can justify or rationalise the paving over of this precious site.

Please THINK AGAIN and remove Middlewick Ranges from the Local Plan. Many thanks for this opportunity to contribute to this review; I hope that CCC can come the the right decision on this, promptly - and once and for all protect Middlewick as a Nature Reserve /Country Park - safe from the grubby/greedy hands of developers and MoD, who have no interest whatsoever in the staggeringly rare wildlife - or the interests of residents of Colchester.
Best wishes,
Martin

Form ID 10336

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mx C Dewhursy

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 
Insure against future housing developments.

Comments 
I used to live in Colchester and still visit on occasions. Before I departed Essex I understood that Middlewick Ranges site was under threat of development. This may have changed, or the campaign group may not have their facts straight but I really enjoy walking in nature reserves and there is too much development in Essex (one reason why I left). For the remaining population, it should be insured against housebuilding and overdevelopment. Thanks for listening.

Form ID 10347

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Richard Martin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I use Middlewick Ranges everyday to walk my dog, otherwise I have to put him in a car and drive to the nearest large green area. dog walking areas would be great but protecting the wildlife that exists on this site should be top priority, not housing

Form ID 10350

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Deborah Booth

How do you use this green space 
Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
Make it a nature reserve/country park, do not build on it please

Form ID 10351

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Sophie Paterson

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
I understand that this area is in line for development. I can't understand the sense in very likely destroying important urban green space, and then asking for views on creating green space elsewhere. I realise that it is privately owned, but if it could be saved, it would make a lot of residents very happy.

Form ID 10357

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Gaynor Bell

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
There should be no development of this ecologically important land, both in terms of maintaining biodiversity and also in not adding more pressure on an already struggling infrastructure.

Form ID 10366

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Linda Paterson

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
It's an extremely important part of our lives and used almost daily. It doesn't need a lot doing to it, just preserved.

Form ID 10367

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Tracy Fance

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Don’t sell valuable natural rare environmental space for building on.
It’s as rare as Epping forest and should be part of the already established SSSI Sites nearby.
As explained to the Council by multiple environmental agencies.
Including RSPB, Essex Wildlife Trust and Essex Field club.
Not forgetting independent ecologists who have also assessed the site as unsuitable.

Form ID 10372

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Edward Benton

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Observe and record wildlife.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
conservation of exceptional biodiversity and public enjoyment

Comments 
It is essential that this site is protected from building development. It is a much loved area (vis more than 1000 objections to inclusion in local plan, and 3000 in facebook 'save middlewick' group). It is an important Colchester heritage site - used by MoD since Crimean War, and to station troops to be sent to WW1. But also it is of SSSI standard for biodiversity, with many new data since inclusion in the local plan, which even then was based on demonstrably inadequate advice. CCC will be furnished with up-to-date information and comments from a range of local and national conservation organisations and experts.
It needs to continue to be managed for biodiversity and public enjoyment, either as a nature reserve or country park.

Form ID 10374

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Kelly Francis

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Walk to work or other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
The site is home to many species of wildlife, and it would be beneficial to see this space kept as a natural area.

Form ID 10376

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Simon Barton

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This area is perfect for all local residents and is used daily to escape the oppression of concrete and brick surrounding the rest of the area.

Form ID 10378

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Gareth Davies

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Don’t destroy it by building houses!

Form ID 10379

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Rosie Clarke

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Safe storage for bikes, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Suggest be protected by being designated status of nature reserve/country park & removal from the local housing development plan

Comments 
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.

- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.

- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).

- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.

- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!

- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/our-work/important-invertebrate-areas/

- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.

- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.

"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation." (Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.)

- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.

- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').

- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.

- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!

- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.

- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)

- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.

- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.

- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.

- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.

- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).

- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Weir Lane Grasslands (between Middlewick/Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI) should be formerly included in CCC Green Network for the following reasons:

- It is threatened by ploughing up and experimental chemical treatment (sulphur spreading) – under the current Local Plan – in order to ‘replace’ the ancient acid grassland at Middlewick Ranges.

- It is already much-loved open green space used by families and dog-walkers across a number of public footpaths. A ‘hidden gem’.

- This area represents one of the most extensive areas of tall and tussocky grasslands in Colchester District and wider Essex, being over 100 hectares in size!

- This grassland is a wild corridor and DIRECTLY connects a number of important habitats and sites for wildlife in South Colchester (including with designations) as follows:

i) To the north: Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Wood Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS) as well as Donyland Wetland, Colchester Cemetery and Bourne Brook LoWS.

ii) To the south-east: Roman River SSSI and LoWS, Upper Colne Marshes SSSI and Rowhedge Pits and Donyland Woods LoWS

iii) To the south-west: Friday Woods (Roman River) SSSI and surrounding Manwood Chase, Ball Grove and Layer Brook Pasture Local Wildlife Sites

- Weir Lane Grasslands supports tall tussocky grassland which will support a range of wildlife; small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, bats and a vast number of invertebrates. Kestrels, owls and buzzards are known to feed here showing presence of voles/shrews.

- The hedgebanks which divide the grassland into smaller fields support many large and ancient oaks and the presence of bracken, broom and wood sage shows a degree of sandy soils as indicated by soil tests. This shows the huge potential of this grassland if it is protected from ploughing up/sulphering and managed sensitively for wildlife.

- Some areas of grassland support finer grasses such as common bent and meadow grasses, and there are areas of abundant flowers like yarrow, oxeye daisy and St John’s-wort.

- This is NOT ‘ecologically benign’ or ‘low value’ or ‘arable land’ as mistakenly claimed in the online Stantec report! (They surveyed it immediately after a hay cut which means a proper survey did not take place; but they still should not have mislabelled this important are an ‘arable rye grass ley’.)

- Weir Lane Grassland should be included in the Colchester’s Green Network and protected from ploughing up and chemicals by making this a protected Nature Reserve/Country Park alongside Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Local Wildlife Sites – For residents and wildlife of Colchester to enjoy.

In a Climate and Biodiversity Crisis - the stakes for Colchester could NOT be higher.

Form ID 10380

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Selina King

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
The wick is for wildlife, save the wildlife that thrive in the wick! My dog loves going for walks up the wick as well.

Form ID 10381

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Emma Bamfield

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Middlewich should be removed from the local plan for housing. It contains rare acid grassland and protected species of animals.

Form ID 10382

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Jennifer Martin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Nature reserve/ country park

Comments 
Middlewick is a valuable site for invertebrates and should be protected. Building a housing development here will destroy this valuable habitat. Please remove this site from the Local Plan.

Form ID 10385

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Hayley Black

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
I have been useing this area all my life for walking, dog walking and enjoying nature. My children have also grown up enjoying this area. They have learnt alot about all the different birds, bees, bugs, bats and the pond life of the stream. Also how important that this grassland is to nature and biodiversity. They have even researched its history and importance for school projects. It would be an absolute disaster if the people of Colchester lost this amazing essential space.

Form ID 10386

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
David Davies

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Wildlife photography

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins, Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges - The Case for Protection and Removing from the Local Plan Summary
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.
- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)
[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/middlewick-ranges ]
Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/.../important-invertebrate-areas/
- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.
"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."
~ Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.
- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.
- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.
- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!
- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10388

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Sarah Taylor

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Cycle to work / other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit

Other improvements 

Comments 
It’s great to have this green area for us to go to walk the dog breath in fresh air instead of peoples food from lots of houses more roads built up no where to walk the dog take the kids get em off there computers no more houses this town and it is a town not a city !!!!!!!!! Needs no more people cars traffics houses Thankyou greedy housing investors !!!!!! Please stop

Form ID 10391

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Daniel Layzell

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Cycle to work / other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Perfect area that doesn't need altering. It needs preserving

Form ID 10395

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Emma McNally

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges is a rich and diverse natural habit for a wide range of wildlife. To build on it would be criminal and fly in the face of efforts to save our planet by reducing our carbon output.

Form ID 10396

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Lyn Kilvington

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Safe storage for bikes, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Green healthy free space for all to use

Form ID 10398

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Peter Pyke

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Looking at wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed

Other improvements 

Comments 
This area should be removed from the local plan for development following new information that has become available via expert surveys re the range and diversity of flora and fauna.

Form ID 10399

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Nicola Brady

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Just leave it for nature , protect it , then the ecosystem will continue to protect us .

Form ID 10400

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Essex Field Club

How do you use this green space 
Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Studying rare biodiversity

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Preservation

Comments 
This site is a hugely valuable piece of a rare habitat in Essex, and in the UK generally: unimproved lowland acid grassland. Historic study, and that prompted more recently by the proposed development of the site, has demonstrated the incredible biodiversity of the site, accommodating as it does a large number of rare species, especially invertebrates, many of which have recognised conservation and/or protected status. It really should be protected for its huge biodiversity value which is much valued by the people of Colchester and more widely in Essex and the UK as a whole.

Form ID 10402

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Carole Shorney

How do you use this green space 
Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit

Other improvements 

Comments 
This very valuable Green Space should be protected in perpetuity and removed from the Local Plan.

Form ID 10403

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Holly Knowles

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, More dog bins or litter bins, Other

Other improvements 
Nature reserve/ country park

Comments 
Please remove this site from the local plan and protect this area.
There is overwhelming evidence that this is an important site for wildlife and is far too important to be lost.
Building on it would cause far too much traffic on the surrounding roads.
This site should be made into a nature reserve/ country park to protect it for wildlife and for the people of Colchester who enjoy using it.

Form ID 10410

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Save the Middlewick Ranges

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
This bio diverse site should not be sold or built on for housing but saved for future generations as a country park. There is evidence of such diverse grassland and resident wildlife!

Form ID 10411

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Chris Gregory

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
We as a country are losing so much of our green space. Middlewick should be protected by making it a Nature Reserve or a Country Park and it should be removed from the local plan. With so much house building in Colchester residents need some open spaces for relaxation, excercise for the benefit of their health and well being.

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges is threatened by the building of 1000 houses currently included in the local plan which would totally destroy, not only this important local wildlife site but also an important local open space which serves to help improve the health and well being of the local community.
I therefore propose the immediate removal of this important site from the local plan and it be protected as a vital open space for the benefit of the residents of Colchester and the wildlife which it contains.

Form ID 10412

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Anouska Wren

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
I would like to see the wick protected as green space by designating it a nature reserve or country park like highwoods. I would like to see it removed from the local plan.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
It would be improved by being protected and designated a nature reserve or country park akin to highwoods. So much enrichment to colchester community could come from protecting this space and working with it much like highwoods.

Comments 
The wick is home to ancient grassland and irreplaceable ecology. It would be criminal to build on this. It is a beautiful place to walk with astounding scenery and heritage. How colchester could consider this on their local plans truly shows that the right priorities that would actually encourage tourism and intregrity in its city status are not valued. Let colchester grow as a unique and beautiful city and place to live not just another soulless place. Protect the wick and protect the integrity of the future colchestians with a rich heritage and astounding country beauty.

Form ID 10413

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Anne Taylor

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This space is a godsend for mental wellbeing but more importantly is a final safe bastion for mother nature!! Take the Wick out of the Local Plan and adopt it as a recreational park to protect it from future catastrophic development stupidity. STOP THIS LUNACY NOW!

Form ID 10416

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr neil southin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10419

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Yvonne Pickin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I use this area regularly for dog walking and getting away from my laptop at lunchtime, such a beautiful space, fresh air and nature. It would be a shame to see it go.

Form ID 10420

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Abigail Ganjehbaf

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
The Middlewick Ranges are a really important part of our family’s history and present life in this part of Colchester. All our dogs have been walked on the Ranges over the years and our children and their friends have played there. In this age of climate change, areas such as this are invaluable to not only local people but our country and their diversity is invaluable. Please don’t swap this for more cars and pollution! Come on Colchester, stand up for the people of this city, listen to us and protect our environment and the environment of future generations!

Form ID 10421

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Heather Short

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10424

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Verity Howard

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10425

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Wendy Hogg

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Fresh air ,walk in a wide green space seeing wildlife ,peaceful is good for the mind and healthy for body .we need green places for the environment and wildlife to flourish

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Nature watch out benches so people to relax and enjoy the areas,planting and preserving existing foliage

Form ID 10426

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Wayne Baker

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
It's a very important rare habitat

Comments 
Middlewick is a very important wildlife site. To allow building there would be nothing more than criminal.

Form ID 10427

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs SHERIDAN SMITH

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Just please don't build on this unique,diverse space. Let Colchester citizens enjoy the area. Generations of children and families have benefitted from this wonderful place. Let that continue. Colchester lungs.

Form ID 10428

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
mrs sandra pledger

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Additional play equipment

Other improvements 

Comments 
Preserve unique area
Encourage and delovope natural diversity

Form ID 10429

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr mark fisher

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
I have objected to any development of this wonderful wildlife site for some years.

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
please please designate this site and the surrounding areas Weir Lane Grasslands (between Middlewick/Birch Brook LoWS a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. Please remove it from the Local plan.

Form ID 10431

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Laura Bayley

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is a beautiful and peaceful area to walk around, providing a much needed break from the hustle of work and general day-to-day activities. Having Middlewick as an outdoor escape has been vital for my own mental wellbeing, and I know I’m not alone in this. It’s so lovely to be able to hear and see so much wildlife.

Form ID 10433

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Idris Hashmi-Durrant

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Turned into a nature reserve

Form ID 10435

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Gavin Humm

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Dog poo bins need to be at the entrances to all the areas accessible, and emptied quicker. Waste bins also for the minority that keep littering.

Form ID 10436

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Stephen Goodey

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
I don't use this site but feel stronglt that it needs leaving as is, no building on it.

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Doesn't need improving, leave as is.

Form ID 10438

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Jon Hillman

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is a beautiful place, used by families of Colchester for decades. People grew up playing on this site and their families do to this day. It's an amazing place for walking, natural beauty, nature and habitat and for general wellbeing. With 10k houses on the Tendring border, which we all know won't affect Tendring, they'll just collect the taxes, Colchester will pick up all the burden associated. In that case we don't need more housing this side of town, as the current infrastructure is creaking as it is. This place should be taken back for the real Colcestrians to love, enjoy and cherish for decades to come. Long live the Wick ❤️

Form ID 10439

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Katie Lloyd

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
a Nature reserve/Country park and protect it from development

Comments 
The Middlewick ranges are an important and rare habitat for wildlife that cannot be recreated elsewhere which is currently threatened by development. It needs to be removed from the local plan and protected from any further development.

Form ID 10440

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Lucy Bangay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Educational, forest schools, celebrate wildlife, encourage yoga,reiki anything to enhance its natural beauty so we can co exist positively

Form ID 10442

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Edward Barratt

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Bird watching.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Middlewick should be protected by designating the site as a Nature Reserve/Country Park and removal from the Local Plan

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because this is what has been allocated under the current CCC Local Plan. This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates it supports. Middlewick Ranges should be removed from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people.

The detailed rationale for this is as follows:
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex. Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these being threatened/endangered/rare or protected. For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates.
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park.
- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The Ministry of Defence and their consultants have proposed an ecologically unsustainable plan to replicate acid grassland on the site by the use of sulphur – a proposal that has been roundly dismissed by an array of experts and relevant authorities. The proposal by the Ministry of Defence is also for 60% of the site to be retained as green space. But this would include amenity grass, allotments, sports pitches even roadside verge and landscaping. In addition, the space would certainly be divided into 2 parts: the area beneath the pylons to the north of Middlewick, where building is not possible, and remaining areas south of the development. Whatever remains will be fragmented making loss and impact much higher than it sounds.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. There will be a clear and obvious increase in disturbance through the construction process, habitat degradation through the proximity of the development itself caused by increased recreation (especially dog walking), noise, lighting, and, most obviously cats, all of which will adversely affect this significant population -of comparable size to the largest Essex population around nearby Fingringhoe Wick
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares. This is also a green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a landscape-scale chemistry experiment, with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick provides a variety of community benefits, enhancing human physical and mental health, climate mitigation, helping to tackle air pollution, and providing a space in which young people can experience and learn about nature. The grasslands, hedges and numerous trees are all essential resources in the enhancement of air quality and in combatting climate change. This is an environment that supports active lifestyles and improves access to exercise opportunities, and as such, represents a cost-effective alternative and/or supplement to conventional health promotion strategies. These benefits are free and, leaving aside parts of the site to which access has been restricted by the Ministry of Defence, publicly accessible. Recent evidence suggests that health inequalities in North East Essex are widening, and, nationally, life expectancy may even be declining. Middlewick plays an essential part in tackling such problems for the people of Colchester. There are a substantial number of homes in the surrounding area without access to a private garden. Parks and green spaces are widely recognised to provide a number of mental health benefits. People who spend more time in nature enjoy enhanced cognitive functioning and attention and reduced stress. House prices in the area surrounding the Middlewick site are typically lower than the Colchester average, indicating that this is one of the less affluent areas of Colchester. Middlewick is therefore an important exception, offering an array of economic, social and health benefits, assisting the ‘levelling up’ of our community.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this valuable site from the Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10443

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Michael Padmore

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Walk to work or other commute, Other

Other uses 
This is a vitally important space for wildlife.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Don't build on it. Keep it for nature, as a country park.

Comments 
Recognised by EWT, CNHS and many ecologists and naturalists as a vitally important remnant of a very rare habitat, with many scarce and threatened species. It would be a terrible loss to Colchester and Essex.

Form ID 10447

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Rachel Green

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
SAVE THE WICK! The wick needs to be saved as a significant area of natural beauty and bio diversity. Important wildlife, plants and biodiversity will be destroyed with the plan for new houses!

Form ID 10448

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Rebecca Watts

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
This area is currently part of a local plan to build 1000 plus houses. The one thing you could do would be to reject this and consider alternatives that would not effectively cut off a huge green area for so many.
In this space my children have seen wildlife they have never seen before and it has been such a beautiful place- especially for well being and fitness- that in a cost of living crisis is free to all.
From lizards, deers, badgers, slow worms, butterflies I have not seen anywhere else in Colchester.. it is clear that this natural beauty spot has been a safe place for nature as well as the community. When I learned this would be developed I was shocked, there is more wildlife here than other protected country parks in Colchester I wonder why this would not be a priority for people to protect.

Form ID 10449

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Davina Bamford

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
PROTECT THIS AREA of natural beauty and ecological signifiance from housing development. Retain as a country park/wildlife site.

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Ensure this significant ecological site is managed and maintained to preserve the special acid grassland and the vast array of wildlife species that inhabit it. Make a part of Colchester's Green Network.

Form ID 10453

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Anita Bond

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This space is a great asset to the Community.
It should be officially turned in to a country park or nature reserve.
The wildlife , green space is great for one’s wellbeing.
I’ve been using this space for nearly 50yrs. Initially to play, fly kites and explore behind the butts. Now its dog walking ,
Don’t destroy destroy it

Form ID 10456

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
The nationally important ecology of Middlewick should be protected by designating the area a Nature Reserve/Country Park and removing it as development land from the Local Plan.

Comments 
EWT, Natural England, local experts and many others have demonstrated the importance of the Middlewick ranges to wildlife and to people. The Council were obviously misled by a faulty and ill-considered assessment of the site’s ecological importance when it made the decision to include the site in the Local Plan. Its amenity and recreational value was similarly underestimated. In the light of the new and more complete information which I now understand is before the Council, the City now has the chance to correct its position. Middlewick should be protected and extended for future generations of wildlife and residents. It can become a jewel in the area’s green infrastructure, the gateway to a southern green belt connecting a range of important and diverse habitats. The impact of its potential as a reservoir of rare insect diversity and status as a connective corridor for wildlife will have an impact across the region. It will be a credit to its Council and citizens for generations to come.

Form ID 10459

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Alumno Research Group

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Wildlife preservation and biodiversity campaigner

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Preservation of important habitats

Comments 
The inclusion of Middlewick Ranges as a site for housing development in the current local Plan is a mistake, based on inadequate assessment of the site and an impractical condition based on false analysis. The constant references on the original Santec Report commissioned by the MoD to back their plan to sell the site for highly profitable housing development, prays in aid the work done by the RSPB has been disowned. The individually tailored analysis has been overtaken by recent government legislation laying down a suitable metric for the replacement of habitat to other locations. This alone makes the condition for building houses and replacing the list habitat invalid and is reason in itself for removal of the site from the Local Plan

Given the governments plans to increase biodiversity and preserve important areas, the idea of building houses on any part of the unique site would be a disaster for the myriad of species on this site and its role in increasing biodiversity. Many species in the red zone risk of extinction reside or use the site.

The site also plays an important role in the linking of many of the green sites in the area that provide capacity for species to expand and increase so that wildlife in Colchester can increase. The prospect for the City and its biodiversity would be threatened by any development on the site. It should become a nature reserve or country park

The impact of Covid on mental health has shown the important of access during pandemic for individuals to green spaces. I live in the centre of the city and made extensive use of Castle Park and the area beside the river Colne. There is a significant prospect the the destruction places like Middlewick will have an impact on the wildlife throughout the area in the coming years.

The site designation of the site for Housing should be removed from the Local Plan and instead the area turned into Nature Reserve

Form ID 10460

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Mark Rayner

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This space should be turned in to Nature Reserve due to the rich wildlife that exists on the Middlewick

Form ID 10462

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr David Rice

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Photography

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
Middlewick and areas up to boundary with Weir Lane should be designated a Nature Reserve/Country Park/Site of Special Scientific Interest - and removed from the Local Plan with immediate effect.

Form ID 10463

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Christopher Luff

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
The Case for Protection and Removing from the Local Plan
Summary
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.
- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)
[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/middlewick-ranges ]
Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/.../important-invertebrate-areas/
- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.
"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."
~ Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.
- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.
- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.
- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!
- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.
* * * *
RESOURCE 2: Weir Lane Grassland (Southern ‘Mitigation Land’)
Weir Lane Grasslands (between Middlewick/Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI) should be formerly included in CCC Green Network for the following reasons:
- It is threatened by ploughing up and experimental chemical treatment (sulphur spreading) – under the current Local Plan – in order to ‘replace’ the ancient acid grassland at Middlewick Ranges.
- It is already much-loved open green space used by families and dog-walkers across a number of public footpaths. A ‘hidden gem’.
- This area represents one of the most extensive areas of tall and tussocky grasslands in Colchester District and wider Essex, being over 100 hectares in size!
- This grassland is a wild corridor and DIRECTLY connects a number of important habitats and sites for wildlife in South Colchester (including with designations) as follows:
i) To the north: Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Wood Local Wildlife Sites (LoWS) as well as Donyland Wetland, Colchester Cemetery and Bourne Brook LoWS.
ii) To the south-east: Roman River SSSI and LoWS, Upper Colne Marshes SSSI and Rowhedge Pits and Donyland Woods LoWS
iii) To the south-west: Friday Woods (Roman River) SSSI and surrounding Manwood Chase, Ball Grove and Layer Brook Pasture Local Wildlife Sites
- Weir Lane Grasslands supports tall tussocky grassland which will support a range of wildlife; small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, bats and a vast number of invertebrates. Kestrels, owls and buzzards are known to feed here showing presence of voles/shrews.
- The hedgebanks which divide the grassland into smaller fields support many large and ancient oaks and the presence of bracken, broom and wood sage shows a degree of sandy soils as indicated by soil tests. This shows the huge potential of this grassland if it is protected from ploughing up/sulphering and managed sensitively for wildlife.
- Some areas of grassland support finer grasses such as common bent and meadow grasses, and there are areas of abundant flowers like yarrow, oxeye daisy and St John’s-wort.
- This is NOT ‘ecologically benign’ or ‘low value’ or ‘arable land’ as mistakenly claimed in the online Stantec report! (They surveyed it immediately after a hay cut which means a proper survey did not take place; but they still should not have mislabelled this important are an ‘arable rye grass ley’.)
- Weir Lane Grassland should be included in the Colchester’s Green Network and protected from ploughing up and chemicals by making this a protected Nature Reserve/Country Park alongside Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook Local Wildlife Sites – For residents and wildlife of Colchester to enjoy.

Form ID 10466

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Tracey Luff-Johnson

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges - The Case for Protection and Removing from the Local Plan
Summary
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.
- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)
[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/middlewick-ranges ]
Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/.../important-invertebrate-areas/
- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.
"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."
~ Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.
- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.
- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.
- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!
- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10471

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Oliver Hall

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Exercising, running

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Nature Reserve/Country Park - Protect Middlewick Ranges from Development

Comments 
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.
- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)
[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/middlewick-ranges ]
Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/.../important-invertebrate-areas/
- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.
"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."
~ Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.
- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.
- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.
- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!
- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10477

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
mr andrew cook

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I wouldn’t like to loose it

Form ID 10480

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Sheila Poole

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Birdwatching/Observing nature

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
I believe strongly that this site should not be built on

Comments 
This large, biodiverse area for wildlife is possibly the most important area in Colchester for nature. It is essential that the varied habitats it contains are protected. - and certainly not built on.
It has great potential to be well-managed as a country park.
e.g. Nightingales are in decline, nationally, but 20 singing males are currently heard each year here. Dartford Warblers can also be seen here.

Form ID 10483

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Lesley Scordellis

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
The glory of this place is it's naturalness - it doesn't need any manmade enhancement1

Form ID 10487

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Essex Field Club

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
National and county ecological study on a SSSI quality site for its biodiversity

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
The whole complex of grasslands, scrub and woodland between Roman River SSSI and Abbotts Road including Weir Lane Grassland, Birch Brook and Middlewick LoWS should be a protected large nature reserve; it is one continuous ecological unit and incredibly important corridor for species to move between SSSI and LoWS in southern Colchester - as well as habitat in its own right.

The nutrient-poor sand and gravel substrate is important for the retention of the acid grassland and encourage expansion of the heather, and it would be important to do everything possible to prevent enrichment from dog fouling and encourage people to do what most dog walkers now do on the streets when walking their dog, pick up, bag and take away the faeces. In very dry periods in the summer any fire risk can be managed by having wide fire break corridors, as is done on southern heathlands.

Currently the cutting of grasslands for hay is taking place too early in the year and impacting on Protected Species such as reptiles and nesting skylarks, as well as being very poor destructive management for the nationally important invertebrate assemblages present on the site. The grasslands should not be cut all at once or take place over large areas of the habitat, but rather take place on areas on a long rotation. In terms of management for invertebrates the best solution is the physical uprooting of developing trees and of gorse areas where these start to dominate acid grassland combined with long rotational cutting of some grasslands areas, but never all at once, plus the deliberate rotational scraping of areas and the creation or clearing of small exposures used for nesting and hunting by ground nesting bees, wasps and other invertebrates.
Any development of the site would fragment the habitat, leading to detrimental 'edge effects' that alter environmental conditions at the habitat periphery. Many species, including sensitive ones like the Nightingale, require large, undisturbed areas and development disrupts these requirements, even with habitat retention. The rarest and most threatened invertebrates of Middlewick have complex habitat needs. They may need: i) sandy ground for burrowing/nesting and ii) nearby foraging grounds in short and tall grasslands with nectar sources or invertebrate prey/hosts. iii) scrubby/woodland areas to overwinter in dead wood, under bark or in leaf litter. Removing one of these habitat types can make the site ecologically unviable for diverse invertebrate populations; even if the a percentage of their acid grassland/sandy slopes are retained. Even species-poor tall grassland (often incorrectly disregarded as without value/'waste ground') can play an essential role as foraging, sheltering and over-wintering habitat for specialist invertebrates nesting in sloping sandy soils nearby.

Increased human activity, construction noise, and domestic pets will significantly disturb wildlife, irrespective of the area preserved. The proximity to development increases pollution and artificial lighting, disrupting the ecological balance and favoring generalist species over specialised ones. Smaller habitat patches are less resilient to environmental changes and stresses, affecting the ecosystem's ability to recover. This is in particular in context of the Climate Crisis. Many/most species rely on a patchwork of habitats and habitat mosaics of various habitat types combined, for example short grassland, shrubs, trees and aquatic; remove one essential piece of this jigsaw puzzle then the entire system collapses and the site becomes unviable for those species. The overall ecological impact of development is a cumulative effect of habitat loss, fragmentation, disturbance, and altered environmental conditions, which cannot be mitigated by merely preserving a percentage of the area.

Form ID 10490

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Russell Leavett

How do you use this green space 
Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Biological recording, wildlife walks.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Designated as a country park, SSSI status to be ratified.

Comments 
This is the largest remaining area of acid grassland in Essex and as such merits protection at the highest level. Its biological interest is well documented by The Essex Field Club and the Colchester Natural History Society, who continue to gather data at the site.

Form ID 10491

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Beryl Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Please see below

Comments 
This green space, a valuable local wildlife site should immediately be withdrawn from the Local Plan and protected by designating it a Nature Reserve/Country Park.
This area contains rare habitats, an abundance of wildlife, birds and invertebrates, many of which are rare and protected.
When it was added to the Local Plan at a late stage, perhaps the Council were not aware of the full facts but they are now. This information has been confirmed and verified by experts and numerous wildlife organisations. PLEASE REMOVE THE AREA FROM THE LOCAL PLAN AND PROTECT IT IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU.

Form ID 10493

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
I enjoy it for its nature - its plant and wildlife. I have a specific interst in at as co-founder of the Colchester Orbital which runs diagonally across the north end of it. The Orbital was devised with the primary goals of celebrating, helping to protect, and helping people to connect with and enjoy, our most important green spaces around and within the city. Middlewick was chosen for this reason, as an important Local Wildlife Site.

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement, Other

Other improvements 
Please, please - what this site needs is protection from development!

Comments 
I am not an ecologist, and there may be ways its biodiversity could be enhanced further - I'll leave CNHS to comment on such things. But it is well-understood that this area of grassland at the northen end is environmentally precious just as it is. The northern end is also important as the part closest to the city centre, because we so badly need to retain as much green space as possible right in the urban/residential heart of things. Such spaces that can never be reclaimed, and are really so PRECIOUS (even small green spaces), in enabling the connectivity of biodiversity within and across urban spaces, and for the physical wellbeing and mental health of city residents who live nearby and need that proximity to it. The continual pushing out to prioritise housebuilding, as here, incrementally depletes and impoverishes our city, and is why it is so baffling and heart-breaking to so many people that Middlewick is currently under threat at the very same time as we are being asked these questions.

Accessibility-wise, access within and across the site would need careful consultation so that path-type improvements are context-specific and framed by ecological understanding and advice. But at the present time, chair and mobility scooters users are effectively excluded from this space at the northern end by the presence of stiles and A-frame barriers (hence, although the Orbital crosses the site, an alternative route exists via Abbot's Rd and the cemetery.

Please save the Middlewick site - the city will always thank you for it. There is so much feeling around this issue.

Form ID 10512

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Sarah Manning

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Enjoying and studying nature, especially rare grassland species

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Don't build on it!

Comments 
Middlewick ranges is an astonishingly rich and biodiverse site that must be protected for both the sake of the dwindling state of nature in Colchester, and for the well-being of everyone who lives nearby. So much valuable green space has been lost already to development that we simply cannot afford to lose such a large site, especially one of such incredibly high ecological value.

Form ID 10519

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Lee Scordis

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is currently in the Local Plan for 1000 homes but should be protected.

Form ID 10524

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Claire Harrington

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I have been visiting Middlewick since I moved to Colchester 14 years ago. During the pandemic, as a frontline NHS mental health worker I became acutely aware of the vital significance of open green spaces to peoples’ wellbeing and mental health. Latterly, since I have become a full time carer for my terminally ill husband, I have come to appreciate the site even more as I am unable to travel further afield to walk and be with nature. As a committee member for the Essex and Cambridgeshire branch of Butterfly Conservation, a member of Colchester Natural History Society and Essex Wildlife Trust, I am very aware of the huge ecological importance of this site. As CCC will be aware from the input of Natural England, Bug Life, Butterfly Conservation, the RSPB and Essex Wildlife Trust, this site is highly significant for its acid grassland habitat and wealth of rare invertebrate species. I feel extremely privileged to have a site of such spectacular ecological significance on my doorstep.

I grew up in a large, industrial city in the Midlands; when my brother visited me recently, he commented on how special it was to be able to access the countryside so quickly and easily from Old Heath where I live. I have always enjoyed living in Colchester and believe the city has become a wonderfully thriving place, maintaining a good balance between excellent cultural, leisure and other facilities, amazing history and easy access to beautiful beaches, nature reserves and wider countryside. However, the fact that a site as ecologically special as Middlewick could be faced with destruction (particularly when Colchester has by all accounts exceeded it housebuilding targets) is extremely worrying. I would implore Colchester City Council to protect this hugely important site as a matter of the highest priority.

Form ID 10529

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Alumno Research Group

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Link to adjacent land and biodiversity despolation

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Birch Brook Local Wildlife Site to the south of Middlewick supports one of the most important populations of Nightingale in the county, contains Essex Red List plants including a variety of ferns, and is generally a vital resource for wildlife and a connecting corridor, directly linking to Roman River Valley SSSI. Development of Middlewick would threaten this wildlife haven – including the breeding Nightingales – due to increased pollution, noise, lighting, trampling and cats and dogs associated with a large new housing estate next door.

Form ID 10530

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Sarah Munson

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
wildlife photography

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Protected from development by designating it as a Nature Reserve / Country Park.

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges is a much loved and extremely valuable Local Wildlife Site, containing High Priority Habitat of National importance, which supports an abundance of wildlife including a range of protected and red list species, but which is under threat from development. Critically, the rare acid grassland which is a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE) and rare invertebrates would be lost forever, should this land be developed for housing as is currently the plan.

The proposal that rare Acid Grass Grassland habitat can be recreated elsewhere, is a false narrative as is evidenced by the many Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation experts in the field who have voiced their deep concerns. By definition, it is irreplaceable and to destroy it would be nothing less than an act of environmental vandalism.

The biodiverse and wildlife rich environment that is Middlewick Ranges, is considered to be, by the most qualified national experts, one of the most important ecological and scientific assets, and one that the Council should endeavour to preserve.

I would therefore urge that the site is designated as a Nature Reserve / Country Park in order to protect it from being lost forever to development, so that it can continue as a valuable habitat and wildlife haven, and enjoyed by the local and wider community, as a vital part of Colchester’s Green Network.

Form ID 10540

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Jennifer Lithgow

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
this very valuable natural open space must be protected from housing development for the mental health and wellbeing of the residents both local and further afield.

Also to protect the enormous amount of rare and protected wildlife.

Form ID 10549

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Wayne Walker

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I have used this green space for nearly thirty years, my children played there, learned to ride their bikes there, We have walked three dogs during that time. This space needs to be retained so that my grandchildren can play and learn there and I can continue to walk my dogs.

Form ID 10550

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Kieren Brown

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
extremely concerned we are likely to lose this diverse space due to the proposed development of 1000 houses!
there is nowhere quite like this anywhere is in colchester and certainly no proper green spaces this side of the city.

Form ID 10553

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Jennifer Lithgow

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement, Other

Other improvements 
The Middlewick site must be designated as a Nature Reserve/Country Park and removal from the Local Plan

Comments 
PLEASE take the Wick off the local plan. .
There are multiple reasons outlined by others.
It is imperative that the rare and endangered wildlife are protested and not destroyed.

Form ID 10555

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Mary Tod

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Walking to shops and gym on Whitehall Road

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I use the Ranges for the above as well as shopping in Lidl, walking to the gym and I take an interest in wild life and flora and fauna living on the Ranges and the wet areas further east
Additional entry points along the perimeter of the fence.

Form ID 10559

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Simon Hughes

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Safe storage for bikes, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.

- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.

- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.

Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)

[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org. uk/middlewick-ranges ]

Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan

- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.

- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.

- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!

- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an 'Important Invertebrate Area' (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www. buglife.org.uk/our-work/important-invertebrate- areas/

- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.
"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."

Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.

- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.

- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.

- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!

- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex's most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.

- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs - would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.

- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology - effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.

- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well- being.

Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces - and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).

- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10561

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Deborah Booth

How do you use this green space 
Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Make it a nature reserve/country park

Comments 
Middlewick needs protecting and removing from the local plan. Rare acid grassland with rare invertebrates, many with conservation status. Home to badgers, foxes, bats, buzzards, skylarks, nightingales, deer. It is the green lung of south Colchester. It would all be lost if building is allowed there. Please remove it from local plan.

Form ID 10576

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Sandra Pinney

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is such an important piece of land and must be kept from building on its ideal for walking and dog walking and so much nature there, it’s good for the mind and soul and I would miss it terribly .

Form ID 10578

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr simon Cross

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
litter pick

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Other

Other improvements 
country park/nature reserve, protect the site from building development.

Comments 
The Middlewick Ranges site is currently under threat from being developed. Building over 1000 houses would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife. This site includes rare acid grassland and nationally important rare invertebrates. Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. The site should never have been included in the CCC local plan as the planning committee weren't given full and correct information about the biodiversity of the site. Many environmental experts have called for this rare acid grassland and its surrounding natural environment to be removed from the plan and protected under current wildlife legislation.

Form ID 10581

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Doreen Drew

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Nature watch

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10596

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr simon Cross

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Painting & Sketching

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Nature reserve/ country park to protect the site from development.

Comments 
The Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation in the current CCC Local Plan.
This development would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the recorded rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people.

The Middlewick Ranges site currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permanently lost under the current Local Plan.
Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/.../important-invertebrate-areas/
The Middlewick Ranges site supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.

The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy the Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a large array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.

Form ID 10602

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Liz Cutting

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Wildlife watching, being close to nature

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Make it a fully fledged and protected nature reserve

Comments 
This is an incredibly important wildlife site with rare habitats and rare species across many taxa groups- including rare or threatened birds, bats, invertebrates and plants. It is a haven for hugely important wildlife. Building on part of the site will destroy it. It needs to be protected. Colchester City Council should be PROUD of this wonderfully biodiverse site and should be doing everything in its power to IMPROVE it for wildlife, not damage or destroy it. Sites like this are not only incredibly important for wildlife but also for people, Colchester and surrounding area residents, important for physical and mental wellbeing.
Your list above does not include this option. Yes you mention nature/biodiversity but that should not be equated with planting - which may or may well NOT be a positive step.

Form ID 10619

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Dagmar Engelken

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
nature photography, nature recording, birdwatching

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
middlewick has rare, invaluable and irreplaceble acid grassland (the mitigation is nonesense, one cannot recreate a habitat with sulphur), sandy areas and heathland (one of the few places where heather can be found locally). home to at least 1,400 invertebrate species making this the prime site in the borough, and probably of national importance, making it a prime candidate for a SSSI. there are large numbers of Red Data and other protected species such as skylarks and nightingales (the most important site for nightingales after Fingringhoe Wick) The site needs to be protected for future generation, put on the local plan as a nature reserve. it is the most important accessible green space for surrounding residential areas and forms a continuous wildlife area with Friday Woods and Doneyland Woods and also linked to the important colne estuarine region.

Form ID 10625

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Butterfly Conservation

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Re: Green Network and Waterways Consultation - Middlewick Ranges

We have consistently opposed the inclusion of the Middlewick Ranges site within the Local Plan (Policy
SC2) from the initial Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) proposal in 2017. Since the Adoption of
Policy SC2 in July 2022, important new evidence has significantly reinforce our stance. The current
consultation gives Colchester City Council the opportunity to fully integrate the Middlewick Ranges Local
Wildlife Site (LoWS) within the Green Network and to remove Policy SC2 (allocation for up to 1,000 homes).
The key changes are:
1. Strong evidence from invertebrate field surveys in conjunction with the Essex Field Club have
found 8 invertebrate assemblages in favourable condition, using Natural England’s own Pantheon
software analysis. This easily qualifies the site for Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status and
shows the site to be significantly more important than its current LoWS designation. A breakdown
of the data gathered since 2019 shows:
 1348 invertebrate species, including 24 NERC Section 41 species that the Local Authority
has a duty towards. 16 further NERC Section 41 Priority Species – research only. 3 species
currently listed as ‘Extinct’ in the UK. 3 ‘Endangered’ species, including 1 European
‘Endangered’. A further 3 species ‘Vulnerable’ to extinction and 4 ‘Near Threatened’. There
are 19 GB Red Data Book species, 3 ‘Nationally Rare’, 72 ‘Nationally Scarce’ (NS/Na/Nb)
and a further 9 Nationally Notable species.
 Other wildlife groups show 12 Red Listed bird species, including up to 29 singing male
Nightingales and many nesting Skylarks.
 There are 4 NERC Section 41 Herptile (reptile and amphibian) species on the site and 5
Protected Species of Bat. There are Badger setts present on the site (Protection of
Badgers Act) and Brown Hare has recently been recorded, a NERC Section 41 species.
 There are several Essex Red Data botanical species at the site, including the Nationally
Scarce Lesser Calamint. There are several lichen species that are rare to Essex but have no
national conservation status. Significant too are areas of Waxcap grasslands, with 6
species present. Waxcap fungi grasslands are an ancient grassland indicator and can
merit SSSI designation in their own right.
2. We understand that Natural England have been in recent communication with the Planning
Department to emphasise these nationally important assemblages of invertebrates and the large
areas of priority habitat (especially acid grassland) present at the site.
Not only is this important with respect to this site and Policy ENV1 (“The Local Planning Authority
will conserve and enhance Colchester’s natural and historic environment,…”), but it should feature
strongly within the wider nature recovery strategy of Colchester’s Green Network.
The following 2 points may be hearsay, but we wish to comment further on the development of the
Masterplan and the Mitigation Proposals:
3. We understand that the Housing Masterplan may have shifted focus from that shown in the DIO
Vision Document (December 2020) that informed Policy SC2. This showed the housing radiating
from the Abbots Road southwards. As this would seriously impinge upon current amenity use of
the publicly-accessible areas by people from Monkwick and Old Heath, we understand that the
housing may now be located within the area that is currently fenced-off, i.e. the main firing range.
However, this would destroy the key area of Priority Habitat at the site that was previously
identified in the Stantec Report (November 2020) as the most substantive area of acid grassland.
If this is being given serious consideration, then it shows a continued disregard for the ecological
value of the site.
4. The area that the DIO has recently put up for sale extends beyond the original Development Area
of 83ha to include a substantial area of the Birch Brook Woodland LoWS, giving a total land sale
area of 120ha. Whilst we accept that this does not necessarily extend the Development Area, we
understand that the 100ha land area to the south, either side of Weir Lane, will not be offered for
inclusion in the Mitigation Land proposals. We previously expressed profound concerns over the
Mitigation Proposals contained within the Stantec report, i.e. sulphurication of soil to attempt to
create acid grassland in an area that we have since found already has its own ecological value. But
it now appears that this potential aspect of mitigation has been withdrawn as it will be retained by
the MoD for training. This formed a fundamental justification for the Allocation of up to 1,000
homes on the Middlewick Ranges site and its apparent withdrawal completely undermines the
current Allocation.
We believe that these matters represent a significant material change in circumstances and makes Policy
SC2 undeliverable and it should be withdrawn from the Local Plan. These matters fully accord with the
evidenced-based views of Colchester Borough Council’s then Ecological Officer with respect to the 2006
proposals for a Recycling Centre at the northern end of the site - appl. Ref: Col/06/1401. This development
was ‘only’ 3.7 hectares in area, i.e. 4.3% of the current Development Area and was refused on ecological
grounds.
SC2 is a disastrous policy both ecologically and for the people of Monkwick, Old Heath and the wider
Colchester area. All the evidence supports the integration of the Middlewick Ranges site within the Green
Network in its current condition.

Form ID 10626

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Member of Parliment

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Removing this ecologically significant site from the Local Plan

Comments 
My constituents use Middlewick for most of the above uses and it is a much loved open space.

I am sure you are aware that Middlewick is a site of ecological significance, it is one of the few remaining areas in England containing rare acid grassland, which is a UK biodiversity action plan habitat. The Essex Wildlife Trust has previously stated that “Middlewick Ranges is one of the most important and valuable Local Wildlife Sites in the Colchester Borough. It is exceptionally valuable for its areas of acid grassland habitat and diverse invertebrate populations, which include a substantial number of rare and threatened species”.

Although significant ecological concerns were raised before the Council included the site in the Local Plan, additional evidence of the importance of this ecosystem and serious concerns about the ability to replace the rare acid grassland have since been relayed to the council.

Over 1400 invertebrates rely on the site including 167 with conservation status including red list species like the necklace ground beetle, the fastest declining beetle in the UK. In terms of invertebrate value, it is one of the most valuable sites in the country.

This rare acid grassland which can feature up to 25 plant species per square meter.
Stephen Falk – an experienced entomologist and ecologist, one of Britain's leading experts on pollinators and their identification, ecology, conservation and management has said:

“I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! It is not 'acidic' grassland, or 'acidified' grassland (i.e. any grassland treated with acid to produce a lower pH).

Acid grassland is a complex ecological 'community' of plants, insects and fungal communities, often of great antiquity. It is a grassland that often features a long historic continuity of key microhabitats (such as bare, sandy ground and boggy ground) and unusual plant assemblages.

The invisible soil profiles of acid grassland (hidden from the eye but formed over many centuries if not millenia by rainwater leaching) cannot be recreated by simply adding Sulphur. But those rare and precious soil profiles (mostly now lost by modern farming practices or development) are the vital foundation for all that lives above.

To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation. It should be treated with the utmost suspicion”

It's important to note that rare acid grassland has never been recreated elsewhere, the idea that it can is based on one study based on arable sandy land and in the opinion of experts, is practically impossible and any theory that it can be, is based on bad science. I am told that the concept of replacing, quite frankly, irreplaceable hundreds of years old habitats like this is deeply flawed.

Let’s be clear what this proposed sale and development means – replacing the rare acid grassland on adjacent or alternative land. That means taking current rich tall grassland, ploughing it up and adding sulphur in what will be one of the UK’s biggest ever science experiments. An experiment that is at the expense of a priority habitat and displacing the 1400+ invertebrate species, 167 of which have a conservation status.

Once this grassland is built on, we are fooling ourselves that it will ever be able to be recreated. This will mean a huge loss to the ecology of not only my constituency but also that of the entire country.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) carried out a study at their Minsmere reserve in Suffolk which was a strict habitat creation project with a conservation objective to create suitable habitat from farmland of low biodiversity value for breeding. This single case study has been used in the Ecological Evidence Base report by Stantec to justify the compensation or mitigation proposals for Middlewick Ranges. The RSPB feels so strongly that this work is not theoretically possible they have written to Colchester City Council to advise that they do not wish for their work at Minsmere to be used to legitimise or justify the destruction of acid grassland or heathland (priority habitats) at Middlewick, as it is not comparable or analogous. The RSPB has also said that they do not consider that any mitigation or compensation would be suitably bespoke, deliverable or effective.

Building on the Wick is not something my constituents or I ever want to see but it is not too late to save this beautiful army training area and ecological system. Please take action and protect it.

Form ID 10630

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Buglife

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
An outstanding 1,480 species of invertebrate have been recorded at Middlewick Ranges, of which 167
species hold a conservation designation as ‘Species of Conservation Concern’, 11% of all species recorded.
It is generally considered that sites supporting 10% Species of Conservation Concern are of national
importance, indicating how valuable this site is for invertebrates. The entire Middlewick Ranges site is part
of the revised Essex Coast Important Invertebrate Area (IIA)1
. IIAs are nationally or internationally
significant places for the conservation of invertebrates and the habitats upon which they rely.
15 Species under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006 have
been identified on the site. These include the Silky Gallows Spider (Phycosoma inornatum), Necklace
Ground Beetle (Carabus monilis), Phoenix Fly (Dorycera graminum), Four-banded Weevil-wasp (Cerceris
quadricincta), and Five-banded Weevil-wasp (Cerceris quinquefasciata).
The site supports an overall diverse assemblage of rare and threatened species, including several
communities that are of Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) quality according to the Pantheon tool
designed by Natural England and Centre for Ecology & Hydrology2
. Assemblages recorded in ‘favourable
condition’ include those associated with bare sand & chalk, rich flower resource, scrub edge, scrub-heath &
moorland, bark & sapwood decay, open short sward, heartwood decay and epiphyte fauna. These
assemblages illustrate the value of the mosaic of habitats present on site, enabling a wide diversity of
species to be supported.Potential Loss of a Local Wildlife Site and associated Priority Habitat
As a LoWS, the Ranges are a key biodiversity site in the area, supporting one of the largest areas of the
Priority Habitat Acid Grassland in Essex. Any development on this site will result in the loss of this Priority
Habitat and an overall loss of biodiversity, contravening National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
biodiversity policies. Paragraph 179 (b) of the NPPF (2021) states that planning policies should “promote
the conservation, restoration and enhancement of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection
and recovery of priority species; and identify and pursue opportunities for securing measurable net gains for
biodiversity”.
As well as its inherent wildlife value, Middlewick Ranges is also important as part of a network of sites
supporting local biodiversity in the Essex Coast IIA. Paragraph 174 of the NPPF (2021) states that “planning
authorities and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by a)
protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, sites of biodiversity and b) minimising impacts on and
providing net gains for biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more
resilient to current and future pressures”.
The Local Plan Review presents a clear opportunity to include Middlewick Ranges within the Green
Infrastructure Plan of the Borough and secure the future of this site. Buglife argues that to meet the
Government targets for 30% of land to be protected by 20303
, LoWS should be protected from
inappropriate development. In the context of a biodiversity crisis, this site is a biodiversity hotspot and
development needs must be met on sites of less value. This is not only to fulfil the requirements for
developments to avoid significant harm to biodiversity, but also to ensure meaningful uplift can be
achieved through enhancements and Biodiversity Net Gain.
Buglife urges Colchester City Council to include Middlewick Ranges as an important green space within the
Local Plan Review and protect it from development

Form ID 10631

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
dr linda mahon-daly

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
wildlife observation

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
needs to be designated a nature reserve due to its extensive and rare biodiversity

Comments 
This is an extremely rare and valuable wildlife site, acid grassland. Recent surveys have shown it to of SSSI standard. It is not suitable for housing developement it needs to be removed as developement land from the local plan and designated a nature reserve. The proposed mitigaton land to the south, is of itself, a rich and biodiverse habitat with breeding nightingales as well as invertebrates. To plough this up and subject it to a chemical experiment would be vandalism and lead to a significant overall loss of biodiversity

Form ID 10636

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Claire Rodie

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Environmental improvement projects e.g. voluntary litter picking

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I am sure you are already aware of the below, but I would like to add my voice to the crowd. Development of Middlewick Ranges will be significantly detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the city of Colchester. Large green spaces are essential for local human and wildlife populations and should be protected at all costs.
Summary
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.
- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)
[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/middlewick-ranges ]
Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/.../important-invertebrate-areas/
- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.
"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."
~ Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.
- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.
- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.
- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!
- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10642

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Adam Mountstevens

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
More dog bins or litter bins, Other

Other improvements 
Middlewick should be protected by making it a country park or local nature reserve.

Comments 
Middlewick is an important area of green space for locals to the area (Old Heath). It is one of the reasons why I chose to live in the area. The amount of wildlife many of which are protected by law live in Middlewick. I live nearby and have bats that fly over from the wick and feed in my garden in the summer. I am about to have my first child and would like for them to have this area of greenspace protected for their use.
Why are you discussing what you can do to help the environment and reduce the impacts of Climate Change on one hand and on the other, concreting on any open space developers can get their hands on. It makes no sense for this land to be built on. I use it all the time for local walks with my wife and it is great for our mental health. I believe that the council over the past decade have preceded to reduce Colchester residents quality of life bit by bit and its time to stop and think about the residents more carefully. Please protect this valuable land for the people of Colchester and make it a country park!

Form ID 10643

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
enform

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
We are an orginasation but promote its use as a wildlife and open space area.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
This is an important Wildlife site and needs to be preserved

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges is an important Wildlife site and provides a range of recreational facilities for 5 housing estates and 2 villages.
It is already designated as a Local Wildlife Site and has been relatively undisturbed for over 150 years.
The site contains a large area of rare Acid Grassland which is a priority habitat. Recent surveys confirm that it contains 1348 invertebrate species alone of which 24 are Section 41 Priority Species. It is designated as an Important Invertebrate Area on the Buglife website. A whole range of ecological information is available which you are aware of.
The site is also used by the surrounding housing estates and villages and even those from further afield for a range of recreational uses including walking, dog walking, wellbeing and mindfulness and as a route for walking and cycling. Public footpaths connect various estates and villages. It also forms part of the Colchester orbital.
This is an important open space in the South of Colchester and as such we believe it should be designated as a public open space. Although the council do not own the site, because of its ecological value we would like it to be designated as a Local Nature reserve with a lease agreement.

Form ID 10644

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Charlotte Martin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Middlewick should be protected by designating it a Nature Reserve / Country Park for the people of Colchester to enjoy

Comments 
This area needs to be removed from the Local Plan as it is an important wildlife and nature area and should be conserved. Housing should not be built on an irreplaceable site such as this one. Development would threaten a wildlife haven including breeding nightingales. Light pollution, increased pollution form vehicles, animals killed on roads etc. As Joni Mitchell said, "See Paradise put up a parking lot..." We need to think and act differently and save our precious spaces.

Form ID 10645

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Charlotte Ethna Boyle

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 
Middlewick be protected by designating a Nature Reserve/ Country Park and removal from the local plan.

Comments 
Middlewick is an amazing place to walk. I remember going here as a child and the love my mum has for it passed down onto me. With an incredibly stressful job, I often walk or run in Middlewick as a way manage my mental health. Running on the roads just doesn't have the same effect. I know many others who use Middlewick to walk their dogs also and you would always come across another walker. This is also where me and my parter had our second date, so I could show him something I loved. I hope for it to exist so we can take our children there one day. Middlewick is one of the spaces in Colchester where everything else disappears and you can see so much nature. It should be enhanced for everyone to enjoy.

Form ID 10650

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Liz Cardy

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
We desperately need to save the Wick from being destroyed with house building. It’s a much treasured and important part of the local area and enjoyed by many. There is a ludicrous amount of house building going on in Colchester and the local roads will be further congested. The Wick is a beautiful haven for wildlife and extremely beneficial to people's health and well being. We really need to save it for the good of everyone including future generations.

Form ID 10654

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Andrew Wilkinson

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
No extra facilities are required

Comments 
I used to live on Monkwick estate many years ago and grew up in the area. It was the main natural wildlife area locally and much of my childhood was spent playing there. It was a welcome green lung to local residents. I still use the site for walking when I am in the area and use it as a way to reconnect with nature and improve both my physical and mental wellbeing. The skylarks singing overhead is a particular highlight.
I have the site to thank for increasing my knowledge and interest in Wildlife matters as a child which continues today. We used it for family rambles and picnics as well as a place to hang out with childhood friends.

Form ID 10659

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Eileen King

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10662

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Chris Piggott

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This has been put into the Local Plan. Despite hundreds of local objections from residents, organisations, experts, councillors and members of parliament.

Since the addition to the plan the already beloved wildlife site appears to have had more land added to the sale than initially advertised to the public. This is not what was sold to us. Everything north of Birch Brook which is up to 120 Hectares not the 85 Hectares which was added to the plan. It has also since been confirmed, that the plan to recreate acid grassland by the method of spreading sulphur is all but impossible. I really cannot see how a net gain for the bio diversity is possible on site with original plan, let alone with the additonal land. I would like to see the council stand firming against the DIO and the MoD, just like campaigners and Will Quince have consistently done and protect this land that the council already states as a wildlife site. Please stop the build of 1000 houses and make this a Nature Reserve and/or a Country Park.

Form ID 10667

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr s cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
When Middlewick Ranges was added to the Local Plan at a very late stage the full issues of biodiversity and environmental facts were not properly understood. Now there is full knowledge of this valuable local wildlife site, with the rare habitats and countless species of birds, animals and invertebrates, so many of them rare and on the ‘red’ list.
This area must be removed from the local plan and protected as an unspoilt natural area. The time is now to right this massive error made by the council by including Middlewick in the local plan
The abundance of species on Middlewick, together with supporting information from experts and wildlife organisations, who have objected to the proposals and have stated the area is of NATIONAL IMPORTANCE is now widely documented.
Middlewick impacts on 2 SSSI sites and indeed in 2007 Natural England agreed it should have been designated a SSSI in its own right but they lacked the resources to do so.
You have the power to do the right thing. PLEASE remove Middlewick Ranges from the Local Plan immediately.Also on the subject of traffic, it is documented by Essex County Council the traffic flow was high in 2005 and recent data shows pollution within the area is already above national guidelines. Colchester City Council have exceeded the housing targets so PLEASE remove Middlewick Ranges from the Local Plan now and protect the area.
Thank you
Mr. S. Cox

Form ID 10668

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Richard Cockerton

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Remove Middlewick Ranges from the Local Plan

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges - The Case for Protection and Removing from the Local Plan

There were an unprecedented number of objections to development on Middlewick which demonstrates community support for saving this site. This was the case before the Covid pandemic but that episode clearly illustrated the importance to the community and individual wellbeing provided by this unique location.
The Middlewick Ranges contains rare habitats and species within the site and there is much more detail on this set out below.

Should any proposed development ever proceed, there will be enormous impacts on traffic, congestion and air pollution where Colchester already exceeds legal limits.

Middlewick Ranges should NEVER have been included in the local plan, building on Middlewick will do irreversible damage and is yet another potential example of how little regard is given to ecology in decision making.

Further arguments in favour of removing Middlewick Ranges from the Local Plan:

- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.
- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)
[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/middlewick-ranges ]
Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/.../important-invertebrate-areas/
- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.
"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."
~ Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.
- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.
- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.
- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!
- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10669

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Maria Fremlin

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Wildlife walks

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Display boards about the fauna and flora

Comments 
Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in
Essex
Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these are
threatened/endangered/rare or protected e.g. Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor
butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger
and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle.
Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms
and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected
Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler,
Skylark and Nightingale, as well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
All of the above must be preserved.

Form ID 10670

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Tracy Fance

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
This area has now been proven by independent ecological surveys to be worthy of SSSI status and therefore should be protected by designation as a Nature reserve and removed from the local plan .

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is my local area and Middlewick is so important to local people, during lockdown it was a vital area for recreation and I personally walk there most days just to alleviate stress and enjoy the cleaner air that it so easily supplies us with.
The pollution levels in this area are already high on Mersea road and to destroy this now would only add to the dangerous levels that are apparent.
Not to mention the trees that help with the water management in this spot that would be prone to flooding if removed.
Use some sense Colchester council.
Make it a Nature reserve.

Form ID 10681

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Rob Smith

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
I am not a resident of Colchester, but have visited this site around 60 times in the past 4 years. I view this site as a regionally important site for wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
by not building anything on the site, certainly not 1,000 homes

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges is a regionally important site for wildlife, with a nationally important invertebrate assemblage, plus other significant ecology such as Nightingales, ground-nesting Skylarks and Waxcap (fungi) grasslands. We have written to the Local Plan committee separately, letter dated 4th January 2024.
Robert Smith
Butterfly Conservation, Cambridgeshire & Essex branch

Form ID 10684

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Tina Pinfold

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Walk to work or other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Please we need this open space for our residents to carry on enjoying & to preserve our wildlife for the future.

Form ID 10689

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Pamela Ponsford

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
I would like to propose we protect Middlewick by designating it as a Nature Reserve/Country Park and removing it from the Local Plan. I believe it is our absolute duty to protect this as once it is gone it is gone forever. We must protect it for future generations. It truly is an outstandingly beautiful spot in the ever growing sea of bricks that has overtaken much of our city of Colchester. Middlewick is and always has been a haven of peace and tranquility for me, my family and my friends. We can escape the noise, pollution and stress of daily living. It allows me to exercise surrounded by nature at its best and gives me space to unwind, de-stress and breathe in the countryside without leaving the city It is a safe place for us to walk, ride and take our children to run around and play in natures backyard. We can experience many rare wild animals, birds and insects in their natural habitat, for example, stag beetles, badgers, birds, lizards and butterflies. This space is vary rare and special not only for its benefits to the local community, not only for the breeding species that live here, but also for its very rare acid grasslands. Please do the right thing and a remove Middlewick Ranges from the local plan and take this golden opportunity to benefit the whole community for generations to come.

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
I would like to propose we protect Middlewick by designating it as a Nature Reserve/Country Park and removing it from the Local Plan. I believe it is our absolute duty to protect this as once it is gone it is gone forever. We must protect it for future generations. It truly is an outstandingly beautiful spot in the ever growing sea of bricks that has overtaken much of our city of Colchester. Middlewick is and always has been a haven of peace and tranquility for me, my family and my friends. We can escape the noise, pollution and stress of daily living. It allows me to exercise surrounded by nature at its best and gives me space to unwind, de-stress and breathe in the countryside without leaving the city It is a safe place for us to walk, ride and take our children to run around and play in natures backyard. We can experience many rare wild animals, birds and insects in their natural habitat, for example, stag beetles, badgers, birds, lizards and butterflies. This space is vary rare and special not only for its benefits to the local community, not only for the breeding species that live here, but also for its very rare acid grasslands. Please do the right thing and a remove Middlewick Ranges from the local plan and take this golden opportunity to benefit the whole community for generations to come.

Form ID 10692

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Liz Lee Reynolds

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 
The area is protected by designating a Nature Reserve/Country Park and removed from the Local Plan

Comments 
The Middlewick Ranges are a vital natural area in Colchester. It has significant impacts in terms of biodiversity and green space for local residents and no part of this can be lost to housing which will have further environmental impacts as well as using the Wick itself.

Form ID 10695

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ian Graham-Cumming

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
I would like to see this area, which is currently a rare wildlife area, to be retained as open space rather that devolpment. It seems to me that it has become clear that this site is unique in Colchester and ought to be preserved as open space.

Form ID 10696

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Nicholas Chilvers

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Withdraw the site from the Local Plan. The original biodiversity report was flawed. New evidence is available to support retaining as a nature reserve..

Form ID 10698

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Penny Sheldrake

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Walk to Lidyl, Abbotts Rd., walk to Colne Valley Vets, Hythe

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins, Other

Other improvements 
Create a country park. We have nowhere else in S. Colchester for dog walking, etc. which is completely off the roads, enabling big dogs to be let off leads in a safe environment, which helps their physical and mental health too!

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges is a wonderful space, which I have enjoyed with my various dogs most days for more than 30 years. It is now a well known fact that nature and wildlife is good for human health both physically and mentally. I will be heartbroken if it is built on. I love seeing the wildlife, hearing the skylarks singing throughout the summer, hearing the first cuckoo in May, watching the sparrowhawk diving to catch their prey, catching a glimpse of foxes, muncjac deer, snakes, rabbits, etc., etc. The whole area is a picture in spring/summer, when all the wildflowers are in bloom, the hedgerows are in blossom and the trees too. There are many huge mature trees (some oaks which must be hundreds of years old) which help to decarbonise the local area with all the road pollution, etc. Surely the Council can find other places to build the houses people need without destroying this wonderful place? Apart from all the arguments about no supporting infrastructure, we must save this space, so future generations can enjoy it as I have.

Form ID 10699

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Charlotte Hunter

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Designated a country park and removed from the local plan.

Comments 
Not only does Middlewick play a vital role in the local ecology of Colchester. But improves both the physical and mental health of local residents.

.

Form ID 10700

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Rhi McDermott

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
It's a beautiful open space, perfect for dog walking or just a walk on your own. My daughter and dogs love walking over there and having an explore. It gives people this side of town somewhere to walk and meet others for a walk too. Countryside is so good for mental wellbeing, its helped me when I've needed to go out for a stroll, it's so peaceful over there.

Form ID 10702

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Paula Watts

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
Please do not allow housing on this site. It is a wonderful and diverse site for animal and plants. This land has not been used for farming of any kind and as such the enviroment is very unusual.
I have lived in this area for 60 years and remember walking on the middlewick with my father looking for bullet cases. My granddaughter is 3 and we walk my dog regularly overthe ranges.
Please do not build on this land its a beautiful place.

Form ID 10704

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Fay Smalls

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit

Other improvements 

Comments 
Apart from perhaps an occasional bench I think it should be kept as natural as possible to encourage wildlife. A few information boards would be good.

Form ID 10708

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Sheila Reader

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Middlewick Ranges is a valuable green space for the whole of south Colchester. It includes 10 hectares of rare acid grassland. It is of national importance for insect biodiversity. To build 1000 homes on this site would be an act of self harm not only from the wonderful fauna and flora that flourishes there but also for the local population. We all know that spending time in green spaces improves mental health and fosters a sense of wellbeing. Middlewick ranges must be removed from the Local Plan. It must be protected by designating the entire area as a Nature Reserve/Country Park.

Form ID 10713

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Sandy Armitage

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Do not develop it - once it's gone it's gone!

Comments 
This is an area of established acid grassland and home to endangered and rare species. This open green space is precious not simply for the importance of general well being, it's also that is has been recognised as an area of great importance by many recognised naturalist professionals and ecologists. Grasses and creatures that have taken decades to establish and provide vital green lungs to the area on so many levels. Please remove it from the Local plan of development. It matters to so many to keep it.

Form ID 10715

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Martina Puglisi

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Nature reserve protect from development

Comments 
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.
- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. (See reasons below)
[This view is echoed by many county/national nature and conservation organisations such as Essex Wildlife Trust: https://www.essexwt.org.uk/middlewick-ranges ]
Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates!
- Buglife have included Middlewick Ranges on their national map as an ‘Important Invertebrate Area’ (IAA) alongside River Colne and Roman River SSSI and Highwoods Country Park: https://www.buglife.org.uk/.../important-invertebrate-areas/
- Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.
"I am astonished and disturbed by the claims that high quality acid grassland can be recreated on unsuitable soils elsewhere simply by adding Sulphur. I would suggest there is a basic misunderstanding of what acid grassland actually is! To suggest that simply adding Sulphur can recreate an ancient soil profile, an ancient seed bank, or ancient (and isolated) plant, invertebrate and fungal communities, is one of the most controversial claims I've encountered during my many years working in nature conservation."
~ Steven Falk FRES, author of Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland, and a national authority on invertebrates and their habitats.
- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.
- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable').
- As a result, they badly underestimated the biodiversity value of the existing grassland habitats impacted - as well as exaggerating the value of the new habitats, using the above unproven experimental 'sulphering' methods.
- For these reasons, the 'Biodiversity Net Gain' they claimed to achieve using their DIY spread sheet (not the official Defra metric which does not allow such calculations for irreplaceable habitat such as acid grassland!) - would actually mean a significant Biodiversity Net Loss!!
- In addition, Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site would be very significantly impacted by any development on Middlewick; this current peaceful and dark green corridor is home to one of Essex’s most important Nightingale populations, as well as many other breeding birds, rare ferns and other wildlife.
- The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.
- Current plans would destroy this Weir Lane Grassland ecosystem entirely, ploughed up and subject to sulphur spreading with unknown impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecology – effectively a 'landscape-scale chemistry experiment', with no ecological basis or precedent. Attempting to replace what by definition is irreplaceable Priory acid grassland habitat.
- Middlewick Ranges is a vital green open space for the people of south Colchester, including those lacking big gardens or other accessible spaces essential for mental and physical health and well-being.
- Colchester County Council has a responsibility to protect Local Wildlife Sites and other important spaces for nature under existing and upcoming environmental laws and legislation, including National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the Environment Act (which enforced Biodiversity Net Gain) and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).
- CCC therefore have a statutory duty to protect and not destroy such irreplaceable wild spaces – and also to ensure that 30% of land be protected by 2030 under Government plans (30by30).
- Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site should therefore be protected for good by removing this invaluable site from the Colchester Local Plan; it should never have been included in the first place, it is time to put things right.

Form ID 10717

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Janis Bear

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
To be removed from the local plan and secure as a nature reserve

Comments 
- Middlewick Ranges is currently threatened by development and the prospect of up to 1000 houses because of its allocation under the current CCC Local Plan.
- This would permanently destroy this valuable Local Wildlife Site and green space for people and wildlife – including rare acid grassland and the host of rare invertebrates of national importance it supports.
- Much of the information below was either not considered or not available at the time of making this crucial - and catastrophic - original decision to build on Middlewick Ranges. Colchester City Council were badly misinformed; but now have the full picture.
Middlewick Ranges should be IMMEDIATELY REMOVED from the Local Plan and protected as a vital part of Colchester's Green Network – as a Nature Reserve/Country Park managed for wildlife and people. Reasons Why Middlewick Should be Protected and Removed from the Local Plan
- Middlewick currently supports the largest remaining area of open acid grassland in Essex, being over 50 ha alongside other important habitats; this represents over one third of acid grassland in Colchester District and roughly 10% of ALL acid grassland in Essex.
- Acid grassland is a Priority Habitat; a Habitat of Principle Importance in England (HPIE). By definition, it is irreplaceable. This would be permenatly lost under the current Local Plan.
- Due to this rare soil and grassland type, Middlewick Ranges is home to over 1400 invertebrates, over 150 of these having a conservation status (being threatened/endangered/rare or protected).
- For example: Stag Beetle, Purple Emperor butterfly, Four-banded Weevil-wasp and other extremely rare solitary bees, digger and cuckoo wasps and the Necklace Ground Beetle, Britain's fastest declining beetle.
- Experts including from Colchester Natural History Society, Essex Field Club, Buglife and Essex Wildlife Trust, who strongly object to the proposals, have therefore said Middlewick is of national importance for invertebrates! Middlewick supports an abundance of other wildlife including lizards, slow worms and grass snakes, toads, small mammals, Badgers, bats (including the rare protected Barbastelle bat) and over 10 Red List bird species including Grasshopper Warbler, Skylark and Nightingale. As well as Essex Red List plants and a range of Waxcap fungi associated with acid grassland.
- The proposals set out by MoD and their consultant Stantec to destroy Middlewick Ranges Local Wildlife Site and replace it with ploughed and chemically treated grassland to the south using unproven experimental methods, are extremely controversial and have been denounced and debunked by a HUGE array of nature organisations, ecologists and other experts, including: EFC, CNHS, EWT, RSPB, Buglife and UK invertebrate expert and author Steven Falk FRES. Natural England have also raised repeated concerns.- The Stantec Middlewick report (available online) which stated the acid grassland could simply be 'replaced' - has been criticised in a multitude of ways by a multitude of experts and organisations. Search 'Midland Ecology Middlewick' for just one example.
- The errors and omissions in the Stantec report which informed the LP Evidence Base, are simply too many to list. To illustrate, they surveyed for insects on a rainy day when they were not flying; and they surveyed the meadows just after they had been cut for hay (both at Middlewick and at Weir Lane 'compensation' site, mislabelling this grassland 'arable'). The impact of having an enormous new housing estate nearby – and the associated lighting, noise, pollution and people, cats and dogs – would be devastating for wildlife along Birch Brook, including the Nightingale population. It would turn into just another polluted semi-urban stream! (Roman River SSSI may therefore also be impacted!)
- The Weir Lane Grasslands to the south of Middlewick Ranges and Birch Brook currently represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares! This is also a vital green corridor which connects Roman River SSSI to Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS, into the heart of Colchester.
- This permanent grassland has established to provide a home for a large biomass of invertebrates – and the small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats which feed on them. Hovering Kestrels and presence of owls and buzzards shows the presence of prey species.

Form ID 10719

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Kelsey Froomes

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Not to be used for building on!! There are other places in colchester for this to happen. There are so many different types of wildlife that enrich the area.

Form ID 10720

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Martin Byrne

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Observing wildlife

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Remain free from housing

Comments 
Middlewick is an important site for wildlife in North Essex, with rare flora and fauna to be found there.
It is also great for exercise and wellbeing.

Form ID 10721

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Claire Coe

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 
Keep it a green space

Comments 
The Middlewick Ranges should be a properly managed green space for protecting wildlife and biodiversity. Have areas for the public to enjoy responsibly. Do everything possible to let nature endure and flourish.

Form ID 10722

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Ms Katy Vargas

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
It should be removed from the Local Plan and designated as a nature reserve or country park, to protect it.

Comments 
It's a unique and invaluable habitat that is under threat and once destroyed can never be replaced or recreated, despite fanciful claims by the MOD and their consultants. The real experts all agree on that and strongly object to plans to build there. The council may not have had all the relevant information about the habitats before, but now that it does, it must act accordingly and protect the habitat and the species that flourish there. In addition to the wildlife and natural environment, the council has a duty to the residents of Colchester, especially south Colchester. This side of the city has no other significant park or large green space. It is essential for the large local and growing population to have access to this whole space for their physical and mental health.

Form ID 10724

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Friends of Middlewick

Agent
enform

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
We are writing to you on an urgent matter regarding Middlewick Ranges – and its continued inclusion in the
Colchester Local Plan and allocation for up to 1000 houses. Please consider this and the attached
documents as formal submissions to the current Local Plan Review ending 5th January 2024.
We appreciate this Local Plan Review and consultation period and opportunity to contribute – and aspire to
a problem-solving, collaborative approach.
Before we begin, we would like to refer you to the attached ‘MIDDLEWICK OBJECTIONS: 1 and 2’ (MO:1+2)
documents. These are crucial supporting documents containing:
i) A summary of the key evidence and representations by organisations and individuals and;
ii) Transcripts of the key December 11th Local Plan Committee meeting and other Have Your Say speeches.
Between them these outline a body of concerns and objections about Middlewick’s Local Plan inclusion; we
hope these help to understand in plain English what can be a complex and technical matter.
The referenced resources (attached and via shared Google Drive folder) are as follows:
1. MIDDLEWICK OBJECTIONS 1 - Summary of Representations to CCC wrt LP (2019-2023).pdf’
2. MIDDLEWICK OBJECTIONS 2 - Have Your Say Speeches wrt CCC Local Plan (21-12-23).pdf’
These documents will be periodically updated; find latest versions at the Google Drive link below:
Full Docs: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1J5WXI-DeOyRUzHY0BoKbnY2SbeF2R1fx?usp=drive_link
(The best place to start is the summary of wildlife and maps [15 to 17] and [2] EWT; [4 to 7] RSPB, Buglife etc)
Most of you will hopefully now be aware of the latest objections following 11th December – and the rapidly
unravelling case for including Middlewick Ranges in the Local Plan. A decision which now looks decidedly
unsustainable – in both senses of the word. During this meeting a compelling case was presented by a
number of speakers – organisations, experts, members of the public and councillors alike – to remove
Middlewick Ranges from the Local Plan once and for all, and fully protect this Local Wildlife Site. See Attachments for full text

Form ID 10725

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Diane Appleby

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
The Councillors, Colchester City Council

Dear Mr/Ms Councillors

As you are aware there is grave concern amongst the residents in the vicinity of Middlewick Ranges about the proposed development of some 1,000 houses on this land.
Since time immemorial Middlewick has been the home to a huge diversity of fauna and flora; many of which are protected species as pointed out in correspondence from experts in the field. No efforts to achieve BNG on this land will be successful. The acid grass alone is very rare. What Developer will want to return year on year to test the PH of the soil after sulphur etc. has been used to create this acid grass elsewhere in the area.
Middlewick has been, also for time immemorial, a place for people to enjoy the benefits of nature: Dog walkers, runners, joggers, walkers, students, nature lovers, a place where children can play safely, and somewhere to breath in the clean air of what is the
‘Green lung’ this side of Colchester. It was a God send for the mental health of people in this area.
Should a development take place the residents of three sides of the Wick will be condemned to years of air, light and noise pollution. There is no access road to cope with the heavy plant machinery necessary for building works. The pollution and loss of habitat on the Wick will also have a knock-on effect on the neighbouring SSSI.
Traffic in the Abbot’s Road and Mersea Road area would become even more congested than it is already.
Please take Middlewick off the Local Plan. When it was offered up in letters between CCC/MOD in September and October 2016 we, the public were not consulted.

Yours Sincerely,
Diane Appleby.

Form ID 10728

Site 
South Colchester - Middlewick Ranges, Abbot's Road, Colchester

Respondent 
Colchester Natural History Society

Agent
Colchester Natural History Society

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
The Colchester Natural History Society wishes to share some comments and concerns regarding the Green Network and Waterways Consultation. This letter is instead of inputting into the various boxes on the consultation website.
Firstly Middlewick Ranges has to come out of the Local Plan immediately and be designated as a nature reserve or country park on account of the exceptionally rich wildlife found there. This area of acid grassland is the largest left in Essex now and the rich assemblage of invertebrates have led it to become a National Important Invertebrate Area – taking on a national significance. Over 1400 invertebrate species have been recorded and 150 species of those have a conservation status. It is also an important green lung for those who live on the south side of town and is a well visited site.
Secondly the Birch Brook Woodland Local Wildlife Site appears threatened by the land being put up for sale. Any housing nearby would lead to much disturbance and degradation of the fabric of the wood, to the actual brook, as well to many species including the important breeding population of nightingales. This area needs protecting as a Green Space
Thirdly the Weir Lane grasslands are an exceptionally rich set of meadows, currently unspoilt and visited by many locals, as seen by the well-walked network of pathways across them. There can’t be an equivalent size of similar grasslands anywhere else in the borough. This whole area is part of the mitigation for the proposed Middlewick development, which will destroy these rich grasslands by ploughing and sulphur application. This whole area needs protecting as a Green Space.
From the wording, there appears to be a presumption that green spaces and waterways are only of interest to the Council for public amenity. Ecological importance and biodiversity barely feature, which is hugely worrying, as there should be more emphasis on managing and enhancement for wildlife. Every open green space and each of the waterways are of great value to wildlife. In recent years the Council has begun steps to manage amenity grasslands for wildlife which is greatly encouraging. There should be more roll-out of the Wivenhoe Green Spaces Project across all of the borough and within a quicker timescale too. By spring next year there will be the new duty on public authorities to have regard to relevant LNRS. The Council needs to demonstrate it is safeguarding wildlife across the borough and fully action any points in the forthcoming strategy.
As always Colchester Natural History is keen to engage with Council officers to ensure Green Spaces and Waterways are sympathetically managed for biodiversity.

Form ID 10552

Site 
South Colchester - Queen Elizabeth Way Open Space

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Other

Other improvements 
Barrier removal or redesign

Comments 
The Colchester Orbital crosses this green space, hence my particular interest. There are a few accessibility issues for wheeled users:

1. No path across the greensward; 2. no restpoints, 3. no dropped kerb at the crossing point on Queen Elizabeth Way and then 4. a very tight staggered barrier on the far side of School Rd (approaching from the direction of Mersea Rd) which is completely prohibitive to wheeled users.

3 and 4 would be excellent starting points in improving accessibility.

It would be great to have some access solutions to these issues. The greensward itself is lovely but could easily take some more creative planting to increase its biodiversity and interest, and a path snaking through this i can imagine being a lovely thing, rather than simply rather brutally dividing in two!

Form ID 10316

Site 
South Colchester - Roman River SSSI

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
SSSI so look look after it and protect for the future!

Form ID 10361

Site 
South Colchester - Roman River SSSI

Respondent 
Mr Daniel Layzell

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Absolutely lovely area which we appreciate massively as a family. We are very grateful and it couldn't be improved!!!

Form ID 10097

Site 
South Colchester - Selby Close Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10557

Site 
South Colchester - Selby Close Public Open Space

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 
Addition of off-road path on the inside of the hedgerow along southern border

Comments 
This greensward, extending outwards from Earlswood Way, provides great connectivity between the Colchester Orbital at its most southern point and fantastic off-road and level routes continuing on through Friday Woods.
The big BUT is the super busy, fast Berechurch Hall Road separating the two. Any wheeled user needs to route along this road on narrow footways which feel dangerous in a chair, for about 100m or so, before crossing on s stretch with poor visibility to get to the main access point into the woods.
The majority of this short but definitely dicey journey could be SO much more safe and pleasant if a path could be negotiated on the greensward side of the hedge.

Form ID 10363

Site 
South Colchester - Speedwell Road Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Speedwell OS is a recreational green space equipped with play areas and with one part planted with tree whips in 2022. The OS occupies a damp grassland bottom and is host to a range of wildflowers including cuckooflower, characteristic of the habitat. The tree-planted area is left to “naturalise”; the rest of the OS is mown regularly. The cuckooflower has flowered in the tree-planted area but as this area naturalises further it is very likely to be swamped by coarse grasses. A second area of low mow grassland should be established along the southern boundary of the site along the north-facing fence line of the houses on Speedwell Rd. Here a slight bank arises creating unusable ground for recreational purposes but providing a good potential habitat for wildflowers and insects. This area should be mown in October on a once a year cut & collect basis with arisings removed from the site. This would create an attractive wildflower site to complement the tree planted area, improve the visual amenity of the site overall and boost the site’s ecological value without restricting its current recreational use.

Form ID 10404

Site 
South Colchester - Speedwell Road Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Ms Holly Knowles

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is a well used play area that I visit frequently.
It would be beneficial for there to be some play equipment for older children perhaps near the basketball area such as outdoor gym equipment.
There are several wooden tree supports on the grass where there were once young trees growing. However it appears that the trees must have died as there is only one tree still growing. It would be nice if trees could be planted there and for them to be maintained.

Form ID 10478

Site 
South Colchester - Speedwell Road Recreation Ground

Respondent 
mr andrew cook

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Dog walking areas managed, More dog bins or litter bins

Other improvements 

Comments 
The playing field is not looked after it especially up the top end of field it’s all overgrown with lazy people not picking up after there dog

Form ID 10317

Site 
South Colchester - West End Sports Ground

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Dog walking, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10345

Site 
South Colchester - West End Sports Ground

Respondent 
Mrs Rosanne Taylor

How do you use this green space 
Dog walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Additional play equipment, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Replace the unused cycle track with alternative equipment e.g basket ball court or outdoor gym equipment. Could see more wildflower planting.

Form ID 10140

Site 
Stanway - Gryme's Dyke, Stanway

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10141

Site 
Stanway - Gryme's Dyke, Stanway

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10318

Site 
Stanway - Gryme's Dyke, Stanway

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Another precious piece of Colchester's amazing history. Look after it!

Form ID 10150

Site 
Stanway - Olivers Woods, Stanway

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10139

Site 
Stanway - Public Open Space from Warren Lane to Layer Road

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10146

Site 
Stanway - Ram Plantation, Heckfordbridge

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10501

Site 
Stanway - Warren Lane Pit, Stanway

Respondent 
Ms Caroline White

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Bird watching. Looking for fungi/plants to view/record

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10565

Site 
Stanway - Western Approach Open Space

Respondent 
O&H Properties

Agent
Stantec UK Limited

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
We write on behalf of O&H Properties Ltd (‘O&H’) in relation to their landownership within the Western Approach Open Space. The Western Approach Open Space designation comprises a number of distinct elements as follows: 1. Stanway Country Park 2. The central area of the Lakelands development and land between the centre and the Country Park (“Lakelands Cresent”); 3. Other areas of open space within the Lakelands development; 4. A line and small triangle of land to the west of Stanway by-pass which forms part of the ‘Land West of Lakelands’ allocated development site to which planning application 213047 is under consideration; and 5. Land west of Tollgate Centre Shopping Park. We discuss the appropriateness of areas 2 and 4 being designated as open space (Lakelands Crescent and Land West of Lakelands) below. Land West of Lakelands The current open space designation at Land West of Lakelands appears to reflect the extent of the Stanway Pits Local Wildlife Site (‘LWS’) and alignment of Public Rights of Way (‘PRoW’) 149_25 and 149_5 which runs through the site. Lakelands Crescent The current informal open space at Lakelands Cresent reflects the use granted through the previous outline consents in relation to the wider Lakelands development (reference: COL/90/1904, COL/01/0976, COL/02/0980, 121040 and 12141). The Site historically formed part of the wider Lakelands development to the north and was identified to provide 1ha of open space and 3.87ha of leisure development comprising of ‘outdoor informal recreation’. The site was marketed for leisure use following the outline consents, but no formal interest was received. As such, the land never came forward for leisure development, however the land was levelled in line with the requirements of the 2012 consent and is currently used as informal open space.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Please see below in relation to the Land West of Lakelands and the Lakelands Crescent.

Comments 
Land West of Lakelands
The Land West of Lakelands was allocated for residential development in the adopted CLP2 (Policy WC2), and an outline planning application was submitted in October 2021 for up to 225 residential dwellings (ref. 213047).

The outline proposals seek to retain the existing Local Wildlife Site and PRoW 149_25 forming primary north/south green infrastructure corridor and nature reserve. The banks of the LWS would be safeguarded for ecology with restricted public access. A secondary green infrastructure corridor runs along the western boundary acting as a green edge of the development, providing play areas, amenity areas and connections to public footpaths. Tertiary green infrastructure corridors are provided at the northern and eastern edges of the site along PRoW 149_5 complemented by a landscaped gateway into the development from the by-pass. 42% of the site would be open space including 2 ha of useable public open space encompassing play areas, amenity space and areas of landscape within which access is provided.

Furthermore, the development proposals would deliver ecological enhancements to achieve a net gain in biodiversity on site.
The outline application does, however, propose diversions to the existing PRoWs. Therefore, we would suggest that any open space designation within the land West of Lakelands be revisited following the grant of detailed planning permission for the development.

Lakelands Crescent
In the absence of the land coming forward for leisure use, O&H intends to promote the Site for residential development through the emerging Local Plan. The re-development of the Site would provide an opportunity to deliver much-needed homes on under-used land within the existing settlement boundary. Further, it would enable provision of an enhanced green corridor to provide a strong and sustainable green link between the Lakelands development and the Country Park and beyond. The new green link would also link to the proposed new road crossing and provide safe access to the new Community Centre.

We previously wrote to the Council in June 2021 to advise that the site is available. A call for sites submission is also submitted alongside this response in January 2024 to be considered in the Strategic Land Availability Assessment as part of the Local Plan Review.

The land is no longer needed to meet the formal leisure needs of the Stanway community. Outdoor sports and leisure provision has, since the outline approval, been delivered opposite at the Stanway Country Park and Stanway Lakelands Centre providing a variety of outdoor sports and recreation use and community floorspace. This, in combination with the additional open space and play areas provided within the Lakelands development provide well in excess of the open space required on the Lakelands development alone, providing a benefit to the wider community of Stanway and the Borough.

Paragraph 124 of the NPPF sets out that planning policies and decisions should promote and support the development of under-utilised land and buildings, especially if this would help to meet identified housing needs and encourage effective use of land within settlement boundaries.

The Site does not currently serve any formal open space function and is not relied upon to meet the open space needs of the Lakelands community. Further, the leisure development that was originally anticipated to be developed here has been provided elsewhere. The re-development of this land, which sits within the settlement boundary, could provide additional much-needed residential development alongside enhanced green links towards the now completed Stanway Country Park and Community Centre.

We note that the site is designated historically as a LWS, however the LWS review of 2015 noted that the condition of the LWS is declining and that further changes to the boundary of the LWS are likely as the Lakelands development progresses. The land was originally envisaged to be developed for leisure and therefore the principle of built form on this land is already accepted.

Development of the Site would allow the site to come forward to deliver circa 100 homes to meet housing needs and make effective use of land where the land would remain underutilised if it remains designated as an open space.
We consider that the site’s current open space designation should be reviewed to balance the need to address housing needs, amenity, and conservation functions as part of the Local Plan Review.

Form ID 10564

Site 
Stanway - Wren Close Open Space

Respondent 
O&H Properties

Agent
Stantec UK Limited

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 
Please see below.

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Please see below.

Comments 
We write on behalf of O&H Properties (‘O&H’) and in relation to land to the south of Lakelands, Stanway herein named ‘Lakelands Crescent’ (or the “Site”), part of which sits within the Wren Close Open Space north of the Warren Lane roundabout and comprises of informal green space.

The Site’s current designation as open space reflects the use approved through outline consents granted in relation to the wider Lakelands development (reference: COL/90/1904, COL/01/0976, COL/02/0980, 121040 and 12141). The Site historically formed part of the wider Lakelands development to the north and was identified to provide 1 ha of open space and 3.87 ha of leisure development comprising of ‘outdoor informal recreation’.

The site was marketed for leisure use following the outline consents, but no formal interest was received. As such, the land never came forward for leisure development, however the land was levelled in line with the requirements of the 2012 consent. It is now used as informal open space.

In the absence of the land coming forward for leisure use, O&H intends to promote the Site for residential development through the emerging Local Plan. The re-development of the Site would provide an opportunity to deliver much-needed homes on under-used land within the existing settlement boundary. Further, it would enable provision of an enhanced green corridor to provide a strong and sustainable green link between the Lakelands development and the Country Park and beyond. The new green link would also link to the proposed new road crossing and provide safe access to the new Community Centre.

We previously wrote to the Council in June 2021 to advise that the site is available. A call for sites submission is also submitted alongside this response in January 2024 to be considered in the Strategic Land Availability Assessment as part of the Local Plan Review.

The land is no longer needed to meet the formal leisure needs of the Stanway community. Outdoor sports and leisure provision has, since the outline approval, been delivered opposite at the Stanway Country Park and Stanway Lakelands Centre providing a variety of outdoor sports and recreation use and community floorspace. This, in combination with the additional open space and play areas provided within the Lakelands development provide well in excess of the open space required on the Lakelands development alone, providing a benefit to the wider community of Stanway and the Borough.

Paragraph 124 of the NPPF sets out that planning policies and decisions should promote and support the development of under-utilised land and buildings, especially if this would help to meet identified housing needs and encourage effective use of land within settlement boundaries.

The Site does not currently serve any formal open space function and is not relied upon to meet the open space needs of the Lakelands community. Further, the leisure development that was originally anticipated to be developed here has been provided elsewhere. The re-development of this land, which sits within the settlement boundary, could provide additional much-needed residential development alongside enhanced green links towards the now completed Stanway Country Park and Community Centre.

We note that the site is designated historically as a LWS, however the LWS review of 2015 noted that the condition of the LWS is declining and that further changes to the boundary of the LWS are likely as the Lakelands development progresses. The land was originally envisaged to be developed for leisure and therefore the principle of built form on this land is already accepted.

Development of the Site would allow the site to come forward to deliver circa 100 homes to meet housing needs and make effective use of land where the land would remain underutilised if it remains designated as an open space.
We consider that the site’s current open space designation should be reviewed to balance the need to address housing needs, amenity, and conservation functions as part of the Local Plan Review.

Form ID 10732

Site 
Tiptree - Birch Wood Public Open Space

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is not a public open space

Form ID 10733

Site 
Tiptree - Church Road Public Open Space

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
wrongly labelled this is Grove Lake.

Form ID 10734

Site 
Tiptree - Colchester United Training Ground

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Col U Training ground is not POS as you cannot access unless you are a member.

Form ID 10735

Site 
Tiptree - Golf Driving Range, Newbridge Road, Tiptree

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Golf Range - this is closed.

Form ID 10736

Site 
Tiptree - Grange Road Public Open Space

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Grange Road POS this is attached to the new houses, but we are not sure of the value of the land, can anybody advise on this, is there anything there other than the land?

Form ID 10737

Site 
Tiptree - Grove Road Public Open Space

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Grove Road POS - this land has wildlife value, but we are not able to quantify at this time.

Form ID 10738

Site 
Tiptree - Land of Factory Hill Public Open Space

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Land at Factory Hill POS – there is a leg of land that goes around Nine Acres that we are not aware of being public open space and is not included in the land that will be transferred to TPC.

Form ID 10320

Site 
Tiptree - Tiptree Heath

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Excellent for a family walk. Excellent for wildlife as both woodland and heathland.

Form ID 10739

Site 
Tiptree - Tiptree Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Tiptree Recreation Grounds – wrongly labelled as this is Grove Rd Playing Field and the playground designations should be included.

Form ID 10740

Site 
Tiptree - Warriors Rest, Tiptree

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Warriors Rest – Part of the land is again members only, Can the land be split to show what TPC controls vs the private member section.

Form ID 10741

Site 
Tiptree - Windmill Green Public Open Space

Respondent 
Tiptree Parish Council

Agent
Tiptree Parish Council

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Windmill Green – this is Common Land and should be designated as such.

Form ID 10321

Site 
West Bergholt - Hillhouse Wood, West Bergholt

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Great place for walking. Well known for superb bluebells, but also has orchids, ransoms and so much more. Hear the nightingales in the spring. Very special.

Form ID 10151

Site 
West Colchester - Baden Powell Drive Recreatopm Ground

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10322

Site 
West Colchester - Baden Powell Drive Recreatopm Ground

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Childrens play, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Nice green area next to children's playground, good for families to meet up etc, children and dogs to let off steam.

Form ID 10585

Site 
West Colchester - Cook's Lane, Lexden, Colchester

Respondent 
enform

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Increased Wildlife area

Comments 
The Cooks Lane Local Wildlife site consists of three areas one of which is the Lexden Gathering grounds and another area is woodland behind Lexden Springs School.
The school has now been relocated and the site is subject to proposed housing development. The woodland part of the school that links Firstore Road should be retained and incorporated within the cooks lane area. We believe it is. Any planning permission for housing at the school should make it a condition that the woods are retained. Any section 106 agreement should require the woods are given to the public.
There is adjacent undeveloped land (marked as grey on this map) bordering this marked site and the borders of this Cooks lane site should be extended to include these wildlife and open space areas.

Form ID 10249

Site 
West Colchester - County High School & St Benedicts Open Space

Respondent 
Chris Nattrass

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Walk to work or other commute, Cycle to work / other commute, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Directional signage to eg town centre/station/Lexden/Prettygate would help pedestrians and cyclists to incorporate these into their journey options.

Comments 
Forms a 'green lung' and wildlife corridor, as well as a vital walking/cycling route - recognised in byway 244 ECC map 2017 + Planning Inspectorate decision 26 September 2019 which included evidence from individuals of use back to 1954, as well as usage by generations of children attending the local schools.
It facilitates easy walking and cycling connections in all directions towards and away from the town centre.
It enables communication between pupils attending the schools and helps them to use public transport options - and reduces reliance on cars.
It's a much-valued social and meeting place.
The open space also enhances the wellbeing of local residents and those using the neighbouring allotments and Irvine Road community orchard.

Form ID 10279

Site 
West Colchester - County High School & St Benedicts Open Space

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10323

Site 
West Colchester - County High School & St Benedicts Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Open space here appreciated by many.
Has a footpath at last but needs lighting better and make sure the drainage is right or path floods.

Form ID 10497

Site 
West Colchester - County High School. St Benedicts High School, Royal Grammer, Philip Morant

Respondent 
Walk Colchester

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
There is a great triangle of level, step and barrier-free paths in this immediate area, made up of Bluebottle Grove (west side), the footpath around CRGS sports ground (east) and the paths along the north side that connect these (Park Rd comprises the east-side of these. Not sure what name is given to the west-side alley but they meet at Norman Way).

Bluebottle Grove is part of the Colchester Orbital (West B route) and the east side path is on the Orbital West A route, hence my personal interest.

The Orbital has promoted this area for its higher level of accessibility for wheelers. However we would love to see this further enhanced. Surfacing could be improved in places, as could the crossing points at Norman Way. It would be great to give the triangle a stronger identity as an accessible route, with eg signposting, distance information, and a name! In our Orbital info we call it 'The Lexden Triangle' - could I formally suggest that?!

It also has the advantage of the Norman Way connection route btw north and south down the middle, also level and step-free, although it does have a staggered barrier half way (arguably with no real purpose, could be removed?). This path splitting the middle is great because it offers further access/distance options - older people or unfit etc might use these for improving their distances over time or varying their route to keep it interesting etc.

Although space restricts somewhat, any options for seating opportunities (at least at path junctions) could be explored also, but please use with armrest options for older walkers. It would be great if you could consult with us on location/design etc. Thank you!

Form ID 10099

Site 
West Colchester - Hilly Fields, Lexden, Colchester

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Dog walking, Other

Other uses 
Running

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 
Better signage within Hilly Fields

Comments 

Form ID 10274

Site 
West Colchester - Hilly Fields, Lexden, Colchester

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational Cycling, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10288

Site 
West Colchester - Hilly Fields, Lexden, Colchester

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10324

Site 
West Colchester - Hilly Fields, Lexden, Colchester

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Walk to work or other commute

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Really nice to have this linking west Colchester to city centre. Very good for wildlife, eg purple hairstreak butterflies. Please look after it for future generations.

Form ID 10468

Site 
West Colchester - Hilly Fields, Lexden, Colchester

Respondent 
Miss Rachel Bosler

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Safe storage for bikes, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Wonderful green space - please leave it natural and don't overplan it like Castle Park. However some additional rewilding would be lovely and better maintenance of the paths in and out as often they get overgrown and difficult to pass - particularly in the Spring.

It is one of the only spaces in the city you can actually get far away from cars and breath fresh air.

Form ID 10144

Site 
West Colchester - Lexden Park Playing Field

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10277

Site 
West Colchester - Lexden Park Playing Field

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important, as for other green areas.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10325

Site 
West Colchester - Lexden Park Playing Field

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
I don't think this is a playing field?? If you meant where the duck pond is, this has been really valuable both to take my children when they were young and now my elderly mother. There are amazing ancient oak trees. A place where everyone can connect with nature.

Form ID 10156

Site 
West Colchester - Lexden Springs

Respondent 
Mrs Kristin Bradley

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is marked on google maps as a cycle route. Perhaps google maps is wrong, but if it is meant to be an option for people on bicycles, those terrible A frame barriers need to go. I don’t own a bike with narrow enough handlebars to get through so have to cycle on the main road instead. I also can’t fit through the A frame barriers with a pushchair. This is right behind my house but beside I have young children and a city-style bicycle, this barrier renders it practically unusable to us.

Form ID 10326

Site 
West Colchester - Lexden Springs

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Excellent for wildlife

Form ID 10247

Site 
West Colchester - Norman Way Open Space

Respondent 
Chris Nattrass

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Walk to work or other commute, Cycle to work / other commute, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Enjoying its connections with the other nearby green spaces, and the options it offers to choose different routes. Useful 'buffer' for children as they enter/leave the various schools to have this green space to walk/cycle across before they have to engage with traffic.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Other

Other improvements 
Public footpath signage - including distances to eg town centre and railway station.

Comments 
Vital as a safe and broad footpath/cycleway to connect between the North eg Hilly Fields/Lexden Road/town centre and the South eg Maldon Road/Shrub End playing fields + to both the mainline and town railway stations.
Public accessibility is key and much-appreciated. It ensures that the green space between the schools - which enables people to make easy walking and cycling connections with neighbouring roads/open spaces/Bluebottle Grove and beyond - is protected for all users at all times.
NB Byway 244 ECC map - order 2017.

Form ID 10278

Site 
West Colchester - Norman Way Open Space

Respondent 
Colchester East Action Group

How do you use this green space 
Recreational Cycling, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Its biodiversity value is important, as for other green areas.

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10327

Site 
West Colchester - Norman Way Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Appreciated by many especially as there's now a path, but that needs improving so parts don't get very puddly, and it needs lighting on dark evenings.

Form ID 10694

Site 
West Colchester - Norman Way Open Space

Respondent 
Ms Katy Vargas

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Recreational Cycling, Childrens play, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Sports (cricket, football)

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit

Other improvements 

Comments 
A bench or two would be great. Regular mowing needed in spring/summer/autumn, as local families can't use it for games like cricket or for cycling when grass is too long. A small playground would be a good addition, with community agreement. Otherwise I think it's pretty perfect as an unstructured open space. All my children learnt to ride their bicycles here, as did I. We have had lots birthday parties here (with football or cricket) community picnics, casual encounters and relaxation. It has been the most important and only local green space in the area for as long as I can remember (50 years).

Form ID 10706

Site 
West Colchester - Norman Way Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Claire Law

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Places to sit, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10094

Site 
West Colchester - Spring Lane Park Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Will Vote

How do you use this green space 
Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Running (not sure if this counted as "wellbeing" - what is "wellbeing?")

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 

Form ID 10148

Site 
West Colchester - Westlands

Respondent 
Mr Ian Perkins

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Childrens play

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Dog walking areas managed, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to keep all dogs on leads

Comments 

Form ID 10328

Site 
West Colchester - Westlands

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Lovely place eg to bring my elderly parents for a walk.
So much better than when this was a rubbish tip!!!!

Form ID 10499

Site 
West Colchester - Westlands

Respondent 
Ms Caroline White

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Other

Other uses 
Looking for birds, plants, fungi and other nature to view

How could this space be improved 
Safe storage for bikes, Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity

Other improvements 

Comments 
Planting of wild flowers has improved over time but could still improve.
Safe storage for bikes especially e-bikes would encourage people to cycle there.

Form ID 10133

Site 
Wivenhoe - Bobbits Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Katy Freeman

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is NOT public open space, but actually private garden!

Please remove this from your map.

Form ID 10219

Site 
Wivenhoe - Bobbits Way Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Partnership with local people and businesses

Comments 
Bobbits Way comprises a roadside verge area and, behind, a small grassy slope home to two springs. It sits in a densely residential area and is privately owned by local people after changing hands in 2023. By virtue of its undisturbed nature, its sloping aspect, the two springs and a change in management three years ago, it is host to a wide range of wild flower species. After it changed hands, the Town Council made contact with the new owners to agree best management of the site with them. The owners agreed that the no mow management regime which had been adopted in 2021 should continue. This reduced management from up to 14 mows a year to just one in October. Arisings are collected by the owners and composted on site. After three years of this regime over 90 species of wildflower have been identified on the site. The new owners and the Town Council have now agreed a new management plan for the site which maintains the regime and benefits already achieved for wildflowers, allows the owners to make their uptown preferred use of the site and now includes an improvement plan for the site. As part of that a volunteer work party will tackle encroaching brambles in January to create new transitional habitat on a rotational basis on the site. This will be a new element of micro-habitat on site. The whole is a small scale model of partnership between private landowners and the Town and City Council. Such partnership could be replicated on larger sites throughout the City area to achieve greater ecological value on public spaces and to enhance the City’s green infrastructure. This would need sustained leadership and support by the City Council to work with local businesses and residents but is readily achievable where that leadership is visible and energetic.

Form ID 10238

Site 
Wivenhoe - Boudicca Walk Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain the ecological value of the site.

Comments 
Boudicca is a small area of enriched grassland (probably seeded by the original developer in the ‘70s). It is overshadowed by an electricity pylon and wires, boundaried on three sides by mature hedge, one of them the site of a buried drainage channel and overlooked on two sides by housing. It is a very pleasant and well-used green space for local people. In 2021 it became part of the Wivenhoe Green Spaces project and about half of it was subject to a once a year cut & collect regime. The other half is mown as normal. Being quite a damp site, growth was greater than on other more typically dry sites about the town. Wildflower populations were good as were insect populations. Interestingly, both mown and unmown areas of the site were rich in different wildflowers under different climatic conditions. Indeed, at certain stages of the mowing and seasonal cycles, the mown area was noted as more floristic than the unmown area. The unmown still provided improved habitat for foraging and breeding fauna overall due to its more complex structure, but in terms of numbers of wildflowers in flower and diversity of species the mown area (briefly) out-performed the unmown. Local resident reaction was extremely positive. Surveyors were often joined by neighbours and their children. Eventually neighbours requested fruit trees to be planted in a corner of the normally managed area. This was completed by residents with trees of their choice supplied by the Council in March 2023 with residents undertaking the aftercare.

Form ID 10222

Site 
Wivenhoe - Bowes Road Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain ecological value. Continued no mow of part of site.

Comments 
Bowes Rd OS (known as Millfield locally) is a small village green type area of open grassland bordered on two sides by mature planted hedgerow and on two by a busy residential road. It sits opposite Millfield primary school and is much used by local dog walkers. Since 2021 half of the site has been subject to the March to October no mow, cut & collect regime. A path is maintained through the no mow portion of the site allowing dog walkers a full circular walk of the site as a whole and creating a more interesting and varied aspect to the area. It has also been a great success for the wildlife of the site. Wasp Spiders, long grass specialist and newcomers to the UK by dint of climate change, have colonised the site, creating intricate nests by weaving ribwort plantain leaves into deep traps for foraging insects. 49 species of wildflower have been identified on the site and over the three years of no mow the area has become heavily populated with and visited by important native insect species including good and increasing numbers of foraging dragonflies and crickets. This may be due to the intrinsic quality and location of the site. Certainly its proximity to wet woodland across the road makes it ideal foraging for winged insects - which in turn emphasises the importance of joined up corridors of mixed habitat for wildlife in urban areas. But it may also relate to the experimental extension of the no mow regime to the creation of “refuges” on the site. These comprise two kinds: the creation of on site refugia in the form of arisings piled in the margins to provide hibernation sites, and allowing 10% of the unmown area to remain standing throughout the winter and subsequent summer to enable overwintering insects refuge across seasons thereby boosting breeding populations year on year. Certainly we have seen a marked increase in the insect population. Such no mow regimes should be adopted across more sites in the City area, including those used recreationally and intensely as at Millfield. They should be accompanied by explanatory signage. Experimentation such as site specific variations to the regime as at Millfield should be trialed in collaboration with groups such as Colchester Natural History Society and/or local volunteers in local areas. One footnote to the Millfield site is a novel solution to the usual school car parking problem of cars parked on verges at pick-up time. One verge at Millfield has been planted up as a flower bed with climate resilient, wildlife friendly planting donated by local garden centres. This has stopped cars parking ion the verge, provided some publicity for the garden centres and a standing advert for the joys of wildlife friendly gardening. It is maintained by local neighbours after an appeal for volunteers by the Town Council.

Form ID 10136

Site 
Wivenhoe - Broadfield Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Katy Freeman

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is not public open space, but is Taylor wimpy owned and fenced off open space!

Form ID 10331

Site 
Wivenhoe - Broadfield Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Working collaboratively with developers. Allowing nature to recover without unnecessary intervention.

Comments 
Broadfield OS is a new green space in process of planning with a tentative start date on site of 2024 subject to planning approval. The site is
the larger part of a development site currently comprising “degraded” arable farmland. In ecological terms however, it is far from degraded. After more than three years of lying fallow, it is now an area rich in wild plants and wildlife. It is, in fact, an incidental nature recovery site. Sadly, it is too late to create a good database of records for its burgeoning recovery, but winter flocks of finches forage in the vegetation, bats feed over its boundary hedges and it is the only place I have found fox-and-cubs (Pilosella aurantiaca) in Wivenhoe - not a rare plant but it is immensely pretty! The site is an object lesson in the first rule of nature recovery: leave well alone for a while and see what nature does left to its own devices. It is the governing principle of nature-based solutions everywhere, is cheaper than any other intervention and is often (usually?) the best option for wildlife. This is why most of my submissions have suggested leaving areas of current green spaces unmown for the growing season. What wants to grow will grow naturally, without wasteful intervention. Back at Broadlands, Wivenhoe volunteers have recently made contact with the developer. At their invitation we have submitted proposals for biodiversity enhancement over and above those included in planning proposals, all based on local knowledge of the site. These proposals include creation of a wildlife corridor across the site, creation of nature recovery areas where residents can see what happens when arable land is allowed to regenerate naturally, erection of owl boxes, veteranisation of middle-aged oaks as well as people-orientated measures including erection of interpretation boards to explain natural features of the OS and nature-based welcome packs for new homeowners. The developer is making changes to the masterplan for the site to include most of the 21 proposals we have made. The development site as a whole also includes a residential development of 115 houses and an adjoining LoWs (Wivenhoe Cross Pit). Nature enhancement measures for the residential area are also included as are proposals for improved management of the LoWs (see also submission for Wivenhoe Cross Pit LoWs)

Form ID 10126

Site 
Wivenhoe - Land of Old Ferry Road, Wivenhoe

Respondent 
Mrs jane black

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
There has been no access to the Nature Reserve for the past two years except for the footpath along the seawall, which was a public footpath prior to the land being given to Colchester to be used as a public space. The path across the Reserve was greatly valued by local residents. Public access needs to be restored to this beautiful tranquil space.

Form ID 10127

Site 
Wivenhoe - Land of Old Ferry Road, Wivenhoe

Respondent 
Mr Robert Neve

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Dog walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement

Other improvements 

Comments 
For many years we were able to access Ferry Marsh , which was much appreciated. A couple of years ago the path we used was heavily flooded and then closed - we were told to protect nesting birds. This well used path has not re opened and thus local people have been denied access to an area they much enjoyed.

Form ID 10202

Site 
Wivenhoe - Land of Old Ferry Road, Wivenhoe

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure function

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain the ecological importance of the site and to regulate public behaviour

Comments 
I have used the Ferry Marsh for recreational, dog walking and bird watching for about 20 years. In the past I have enjoyed walking across the bed of the marsh on the custom and practice pathway that was accessible for much of that time. Since the flooding of the marsh and the closure of that path, I have continued to use the five other public rights of way that either cross another section of the marsh or which surround all four sides of the marsh and all of which provide raised viewing opportunities across the full extent of the marsh. I regard the accidental flooding of the marsh as the best change to its management in the 20 or so years it has been in public ownership. The five or so years of flood saw the nature reserve start to achieve its full ecological potential with water levels raised and its interior undisturbed. Observations made during the period of flood include these made by local naturalists including the professional ecologist who first designated the site an SSSI and who still lives in the town (comments collated by the consultee and quoted from a letter to Cllr Cory, March 2022): “For the last few years the marsh has been flooded and access across it unavailable. This has had two outcomes: one happy, the other less so, both serious. Taking the latter first: the Wivenhoe Trail cannot be allowed to flood as extensively as it has recently. It creates risk to people and to the railway embankment. The amenity value of the Trail is enormous and must be assured. It’s safety and integrity must be maintained.
But there is good news too: with the flooding wildlife has flourished. The bird population after five years of flooding is better than it has ever been since I first knew the site in 1985. Certainly in part that is due to the fact that people and dogs are not walking through the middle at will. Also it is due to the larger open water bodies, particularly in the centre of the marsh, screened from the sea wall walkers. Four (to six) singing Dabchicks last week is unprecedented – five
years ago there were none breeding. Last summer, estimated 40 singing Reed Warblers: five times more than five years ago. Water Rails and Teals more frequent, and I suspect breeding. Bearded Tits are becoming regular in winter, and surely could breed if internal disturbance not re-established. Ditto Marsh Harriers and Bitterns. Sedge Warblers have gone down slightly, and Reed Buntings remained more or less constant – probably due to higher water levels diminishing the ecologically damaging invasion of trees into the marsh. Two Schedule 1 species – Bearded Tit and Cettis Warbler – are prospecting and breeding in the marsh for the first time. This represents a major biodiversity gain. It underlines the need to treat the marsh
as a hugely important wildlife asset for the town. Up to 200 Pied Wagtails have regularly roosted in the enlarged reed beds this year (the last of the flood), while there is always the chance of glimpsing otters bathing and hunting in the fresh water. In season, the Dittander and Sea Clover for which the site was given its SSSI
status is glorious. These specialist flora as well as the water voles are safe from the raised water thanks to the higher areas of the
marsh.”
Permanently wet freshwater marsh is one of the most important habitats for environmental services too, providing greater carbon storage capacity than mature temperate woodland and huge flood attentuation benefits. The marsh also plays a crucial part in a network of freshwater habitats along the lower Colne valley area, a role reflected in their collective SSSI status. For all these reasons the current proposals to raise the water levels across the marsh permanently and to close one of the paths across it should be adopted as soon a possible.

Form ID 10207

Site 
Wivenhoe - Land of Old Ferry Road, Wivenhoe

Respondent 
The Wivenhoe Society

Agent
Mrs jane black

How do you use this green space 

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
The Wivenhoe Society wished to respond to this consultation but found it difficult to make general comments. Hence we are commenting via email.
There is ambiguity in what is meant by a Public Open Space. This could mean a space open to the public or it could mean a publicly owned open space. However sites shown on the consultation maps include areas which do not meet either of these criteria. For example in Wivenhoe the site labelled Broadfield Public Open Space is neither publicly owned nor does it currently have any formal public access. In the Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Plan Policies map this area is shown partly as open space and partially as a site for potential playing fields. The consultation map also shows a site at Wivenhoe Cross Pit which is described as a Wildlife Site and Public Open Space. Only a small part of this is publicly owned (The Henrietta Close recreational land). Apart from two public footpaths there is no formal access for the public for the remainder of the site though there are currently some permissive paths on part of it. The land off Ferry Marsh is shown as Public Open Space and Nature Reserve. Some of this land is owned by the City and some is owned by the Crown. Some of it is, or rather was before the flooding on the site, open to the public. The Nature Reserve area is subject to covenant signed by Colchester that it should be a Public Open Space.
If the aim is to acquire information about views on which currently undeveloped spaces, i.e. open spaces but not necessarily publicly owned, should remain as such then this should be explained. The Wivenhoe Neighbourhood Plan (WNP) has various policies about where development should not be permitted, or be permitted only if certain conditions are satisfied, including a general policy about development outside the settlement boundary and a policy about the protection of currently open spaces within the settlement boundary (some of which are privately owned). The WNP also includes a separation break between the settlement area and the University. This does not have public access, except for a public footpath across it. However the intention of the WNP is that this should remain as undeveloped land and it would seem to be of a similar status to say the Broadfields site which is shown as public open space in the consultation maps and is also shown as such on the Local Plan map for Wivenhoe. We consider the settlement break should be described as Open Space to make it clear this is not suitable for development. The WNP also has a designation ‘The River Colne Special Character Area’ and a policy (WIV 5) restricting what development may take place. We recommend this should also be designated as Open Space. The two areas above are shown on the WNP policies map (page 107 of the WNP)
Because of the ambiguity about what is meant by a Public Open Space, in the updated Local Plan we suggest it would be more helpful to distinguish between those open spaces which do and those which do not have formal public access and between sites which are owned by a public body (City, EEC, WTC) and those which are not. It would also be helpful to distinguish identify playing fields/sports facilities as a separate subcategory of Opens Space. School Playing fields should also be a separate subcategory. In Wivenhoe, for example, some of the school land might be needed if Millfields were to be expanded to provide for a two form entry so it is not necessarily sensible to have a blanket ban on any development.
The questions ask about possible improvements to the sites include such things as places to sit and accessibility enhancement. Presumably such improvements can only be made for sites which the Council actually owns. Better management of Council owned sites would not seem to be a Local Plan matter. The Local Plan cannot deem that public access should be provided to land it does not own though presumably it could include proposals for acquiring additional sites to be used as public open space and have a policies on the provision of accessible open space for any new developments.
On the issue of the management of open spaces owned by Colchester the Society considers that access to the Ferry Marsh Nature Reserve should be restored. (The path across the Reserve was closed subsequent to severe flooding and has remained closed after the Marsh was drained despite a public notice welcoming people to the Reserve). At one time the information posted by Colchester stated that the whole of the Nature Reserve was open to the public (though with a warning about not falling in ditches). The public mainly kept to the path provided across the Marsh (though the working party did on one occasion have to remove cannabis plants which had been planted on one of the less accessible bits). We would also like to see the Council acquiring that part of Ferry Marsh which is currently Crown property (subsequent to the liquidation of the company which previously owned it). This would allow for proper maintenance of the whole area including a part which falls within the SSSI. At present Colchester does do some maintenance of the track known as Rowhedge Ferry Road which crosses the site to the east of the Nature Reserve though it does not actually own this track. A small strip adjacent to Old Ferry Road is Council owned and is poorly maintained in that trees which died have not been replaced.
With regard to Blue spaces there is concern that the Colne is silting up. Improvements to footpath surfaces adjacent to the river would be desirable (including the unadopted parts of the Quay).

Form ID 10423

Site 
Wivenhoe - Land of Old Ferry Road, Wivenhoe

Respondent 
Rebecca Rocket

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Meet up with others, Other

Other uses 
Important space for watching wildlife and for wildlife to thrive. I've seen Barn Owls, Cuckoo and Kingfishers

How could this space be improved 
Accessibility enhancement, Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Manage the water levels for wildlife.

Comments 
The path along the sea wall could be maintained so it is less muddy. Dogs should be kept on leads and not allowed to run through the marsh. Planting isn't needed to encourage nature but it needs space and less disturbance.

Form ID 10221

Site 
Wivenhoe - Milford Close Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain ecological value. Continuation of now mow.

Comments 
Milford Close is an area of grassland enclosed on all four sides by fenced garden backs. A portion of it has been left unmown until October for the last two years at the request of local residents and for ecological benefit. The floral diversity has been low with just 12 species of wildlfower identified. However, three of those species - grape-hyacinth, periwinkle and red dead-nettle - are early spring flowerers and it was noticeable how many insects made use of the nectar resource they provided in March and April. The site may benefit from more planting of, for instance, areas of hedgerow to soften the visual harshness of the continuous wall of fencing at its edges. These would also provide additional ecological habitat and green infrastructure function of carbon capture and cooling. No mow should be adopted permanently for the portion of the site currently left unmown.

Form ID 10134

Site 
Wivenhoe - Millfield Primary School Playing Fields

Respondent 
Mrs Katy Freeman

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is not public open space but is the primary school playground, car parks and fields.

Half of what you have highlighted is not even green - its tarmac!

Form ID 10137

Site 
Wivenhoe - Phillip Road Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Katy Freeman

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is not public open space, or indeed green. This is privatly owned, fenced, padlocked hardcourt basketball/tennis court.

Form ID 10237

Site 
Wivenhoe - Richard Avenue Open Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain the sites ecological value

Comments 
Richard Ave OS is a small area comprising 80% open dry grassland and 20% playground. The two are separated by a mature native hedge and the whole is bordered by mature hedge and trees. The OS lies at the junction of two residential roads where generous verges are in part laid to shrub beds. Part of the grassland area and the verges have been managed on a twice a year, cut & collect basis since 2022. Both verge and grassland areas have played host to healthy wildflower populations, though both will benefit more from the management regime if it is sustained over a much longer period. As mentioned elsewhere, this low mow management regime works over extended years to reduce the grass coverage and increase the wildflower populations by reducing fertility. This site shows very good potential to recreate its natural state as a piece of native grassland but it needs just a few more years of low mow to recover from the effects of c.50 years of sub optimal over-mowing. It will then play its maximal part in the ecology and green infrastructure of the area and still retain its recreational use and value.

Form ID 10329

Site 
Wivenhoe - River Colne

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments 
Nightingales along here, and many other special birds

Form ID 10135

Site 
Wivenhoe - The Dale Public Open Space

Respondent 
Mrs Katy Freeman

How do you use this green space 
Other

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 
Other

Other improvements 

Comments 
This is not public open space, but an enclosed envirimonet agency space.

Form ID 10220

Site 
Wivenhoe - Valley RoadOpen Space

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain the ecological value of the site.

Comments 
Valley Road open space consists of a triangular “island” of tree-planted sloping grassland sward and two associated margins, each margin dominated by a single mature native tree and both thereby lending a woodland glade aspect to the surrounding residential area. For two years all three sites have been subject to a no mow regime from March to October, having a single cut & collect in October. All 3 sites have been surveyed separately by resident volunteers. Each has developed its distinct floral character, one being predominantly unshaded grassland, one deep shaded woodland edge and a third shaded valley bottom. The flora of each reflects these differences and on each that different flora abounds. Over 60 species occur over the 3 sites. In the 2023 season, a much greater abundance of insects was noted on two of the sites, associated no doubt with the improved summer for insects compared to 2022, but also due to a richer and more varied range of flowers and those native plants being allowed to grow to full height and maturation without unnecessary management. The sites are directly overlooked by 15 immediate neighbours. One adverse comment was received by the surveyors while two neighbours commented positively, with one requesting that another area of public space nearby be adopted as a no mow site.

Form ID 10236

Site 
Wivenhoe - Wivenhoe Cross Pit

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
Henrietta Close OS forms a distinct element of the larger combined LoWs/public open space marked on the consultation map. It is an open area of grassland traditionally mown up to 14 times a year. 3 years ago the site became part of the Wivenhoe Green Spaces project. Mowing was reduced to one cut & collect p.a. in October on the larger “half” of the site. The rest was mown on a regular basis for normal recreational use. Volunteers carried out wildflower and public attitude surveys for three years on the site. They recorded 65 species of wildflower and discovered a species mix indicative of rare and undisturbed Essex acid grassland. This discovery was instrumental in cancelling damaging tree-planting plans in 2022. No complaints or adverse comments were received about the changed management regime while numerous appreciative comments were made to the surveyors. Recreational use of the site - children’s football, dog walking - has continued as normal. The value of low frequency cut & collect management of sites like these is that this regime lowers the fertility of the soil and opens the sward. This favours the wildlfowers over the coarse grasses that normally dominate amenity sward. This in turn means that wildflowers thrive and multiply, while the longer growth of mixed vegetation creates foraging and breeding habitat for insectivorous fauna. This combination of diverse plant and insect populations are then the start of the animal food chain. Larger fauna including hedgehogs and kestrels have been recorded foraging on the Henrietta no mow site during the surveys. The site also provides an example of green infrastructure contribution. The species mix includes weld, knapweed and mignonette. These are long-lived, deep-rooted perennials typical of this type of grassland plant community. Mature grassland communities of this type are known to equal and exceed the carbon storage capacity of mature temperate woodland of the type that grows locally. Most of the storage lies in the vegetation’s root systems where it is more secure than in timber. Moreover, grassland matures far more quickly and achieves its optimum carbon carrying capacity sooner than woodland, requires less maintenance and still remains available for recreational use with minimal disruption to its ecology. The lesson of Henrietta is clear: make simple changes to grassland management and reap significant ecological, climate and heritage benefits more quickly and more sustainably.

Form ID 10502

Site 
Wivenhoe - Wivenhoe Cross Pit

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements, Other

Other improvements 
Signage to explain the area’s ecological value. Improved management to support important wildlife species. Linkage with other local sites to create high quality green infrastructure, ecological connectivity and resilience and economic opportunity (see below).

Comments 
Wivenhoe Cross Pit LoWs is an area of worked-out quarry without an agreed or active ecologically based management plan. As a result, it is becoming an area of naturalised native woodland, largely dominated by bramble scrub. It is owned by the developer of the Broadfields development site next door. I understand the developer is required to stipulate and enact a new management plan as part of the planning conditions.

This new management plan should target locally important species such as nightingale (nationally rare but with a resilient foothold locally), stag beetle (ditto), barbastelle and other bats (recorded foraging on the site’s margins) and common lizards (locally scarce and well suited to the sandy geology of the site). The plans should be made in partnership with local naturalists familiar with the site, with local people who use it and should involve the management company which will manage the site on handover.

The City Council’s consultation map characterises the area as “Local Wildlife Site with Other Spaces”. The City’s inclusion of “other (green) spaces” in the same LoWs happily coincides with ideas emerging from Wivenhoe’s own nature planning process for the establishment of a green corridor to the north and to the southeast of the town from Wivenhoe Cross Pit LoWs. This would be a space for both nature and recreation.
The southeast corridor includes the neighbouring site known as Henrietta Close Open Space, itself an important fragment of native acid grassland. It then extends through to an area behind the town’s allotments and cricket pitch known locally as 41 acres. Henrietta OS is owned by the City Council and is the subject of a separate consultation submission. 41 acres is an area of land fast degrading to bramble scrub after years of management as naturalised grassland. In the process important flora species are being lost including the common spotted orchid.
I understand that 41 acres is owned by a local developer with an interest in a neighbouring development site to the south of the extended LoWs area. As and when planning proposals are submitted for that site, a condition of any approval should be the establishment of an appropriate management plan for 41 acres.
Neighbouring 41 acres to the east is then a further site which is the subject of a separate consultation submission for a new green space in the City’s Local Plan. This is the Tarmac Keelars Lane site, a recently worked-out quarry already an important site for wildlife. It also has potential to offer much more, including important strategic connectivity toward the established Cockaynes Wood LNR, to the valley of Sixpenny Brook and thence to Alresford Creek to the east. To the south of the site, the coastal slopes of the “Essex Alps” run down to the saltmarsh margins of the Colne estuary.
Meanwhile, a putative corridor across the town’s northern “coalescence gap” could take advantage of existing landscape features to connect Wivenhoe Cross Pit LoWs and the new Broadfields OS with the University campus and University marshes, as well as the upper Colne corridor. From there it could reach the new Salary Brook Country Park.
Thus, the extended Wivenhoe Cross Pit site as described in the consultation map is both an important part of, and potential anchor to, a much larger landscape of nature recovery. This would comprise a variety of adjoining sites of varying habitat, each contributing its own specific ecological value.
Together they would act at a landscape level contributing to local and international ecology, to regional scale green infrastructure and to recreational green space for a number of local communities. Such a landscape level corridor would offer potential for off-site biodiversity net gain investment and income sources to the local land-based economy via Environmental Land Management schemes relevant to the corridor’s creation and on-going management.

Form ID 10157

Site 
Wivenhoe - Wivenhoe Wood Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Graham Sutton

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
To observe wildlife and plants

How could this space be improved 
Planting to encourage nature / biodiversity, Dog walking areas managed

Other improvements 

Comments 
More management of wildlife areas to restricy deter dogs from disturbing/fouling (i.e. altering soil balance with waste). An explicit plan for wildlife.

Form ID 10218

Site 
Wivenhoe - Wivenhoe Wood Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mr Mark Halladay

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking, Wellbeing / mindfulness, Other

Other uses 
Ecological value and green infrastructure contribution

How could this space be improved 
Maintenance / management improvements

Other improvements 

Comments 
The site consists of 3 differently managed areas: Lower Lodge, a large area of parkland with mixed recreational and long grass areas all with interspersed middle aged oak. A wet drain area bisects the site; Wivenhoe Woods, a semi natural area of native woodland; and the King George V (KGV) playing field, the town’s main “rec”. Each is managed according to its needs: Lower Lodge regularly mown in its recreational areas, and its long grass areas cut down every three years for the benefit of the native flower populations it supports. This works well and the area is well used for recreation and wildlife in a good balance between the two. Wivenhoe Woods has become increasingly “hollowed out”, losing its understorey to increasing numbers of informal pathways. Wildlife there would be well served if an area of the woodland could be made out of bounds to the public while under planting to restore understorey would be appropriate in places. The KGV is managed by the Town Council mainly for recreational use, though they are adopting more a naturalistic management approach and have left four areas of the site to grow unmown March to October. Volunteers have surveyed wildflower population and public reaction to this no mow approach for the last three years. More than 60 species of wildflower have been found on the sites. The species mix in one area strongly suggests that it represents a fragment of undisturbed relic acid grassland, a rare remnant of Essex’ ecological heritage and crucial habitat for endemic species. After three years of survey public response to the changes has never fallen below 93% approval. No formal complaints have been made at all.

Form ID 10330

Site 
Wivenhoe - Wivenhoe Wood Recreation Ground

Respondent 
Mrs Catherine Cox

How do you use this green space 
Recreational walking

Other uses 

How could this space be improved 

Other improvements 

Comments