Green and Blue Spaces - Register

Ended on the 5 January 2024

New Green Spaces

Site ID 10353

Site name

No site plotted.

Respondent
Ms Stella Kerins

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Middlewick Ranges should be removed from the local plan and saved as the irreplaceable vital biodiverse space that it is. There is huge amounts of evidence for this space to be saved.

Site ID 10355

Site name

Respondent
Mr Neil Everett

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It is the only large green space in south Colchester, loved by locals and wildlife and so well used. Please do not build on it, if you do this city will be remembered for destroying one of the best habitats for wildlife and beautiful areas of this city.

Site ID 10451

Site name

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mrs Rebecca Watts

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
There have been multiple ecological reviews of this area, there are rare species of insects, birds, plant life and other animals.
This area is a place that should be considered an escape for local people.
We discovered this during lockdown and have been regular visitors. Here I saw the first slow worm of my life, the first natural lizard (never seen one outside of a zoo). I have seen wildlife- deers, badgers, hedgehogs, buzzards, nightingales, bats. It astounds me that a location so filled with life would be destroyed. There are brown sites around Colchester that could be utilised for building, instead of places that should be protected as providing access to outstanding beauty.
Furthermore, to develop on this land would add further pressures to the local road- these are already heavily damaged and poorly maintained. I have not been able to access a dentist for myself and children as there are no places. Unsure how 1000 homes could be catered for when the existing local community can not be.
This area provides a rare green break from the urban sprawl of Colchester. The bottom of Mersea Road is already registering as high in pollutants- that is with existing traffic levels. I appreciate that green living will be encouraged, however the reality is that people will drive/ own cars- the housing may be affordable but the ‘green’ cars are not.
Traffic in Colchester is already poorly managed and to add more from the south- when it is impossible to create new roads due to the existing urban environment seems short sighted and careless. Please protect this space and protect the beauty of this area for our children to grow up with. I have lived in Colchester for 15 years- and I can point to every green space that has been developed in this time and it amazes me when people state that there is a housing shortage in Colchester. There are currently 637 4 bedroomed homes not selling on rightmove. This does not include the new developments which are struggling to sell their properties.
Again, this space should be protected for nature, but also for local well being. Let our children have the memories to pass on to their children- please don’t let this be ‘we used to walk there once’ moment.

Site ID 10467

Site name

Respondent
Mr David Rice

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
If the Council can designate areas of Highwoods and Berechurch as Country Parks, it should be able to do it again!
This area supports the largest area of open acid grassland in Colchester- which contrary to claims elsewhere that it can easily be replicated - takes years of natural process to create. This area represents over 10% of the entire acid grassland in the whole of Essex and is a priority habitat that MUST be retained and preserved, along with the immense bio diversity it supports.

Site ID 10473

Site name

Respondent
Oliver Hall

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The site is currently a mess with several abandoned buildings and wasteland. Development in the area for housing is strongly opposed. Residents would be able to enjoy the area rather than just a track through an eye sore.

Site ID 10153

Site name
"Longridge Ride". I dont know whether it has a commonly used name. I've just invented this one!!

Respondent
Mr Mark Halladay

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The site is well used by dog walkers and for recreational activities. That should continue.

Where mowing has been patchy, the sward is rich in native wildlfower species including Speedwells, Hedgerow and other Crane's-bills, Buttercups, Weld, Campion, Wild Mignonette and Lesser Stitchwort - to name but a few noted on a wildflower survey trip in June 2023.

To achieve the additional "ecological value" without interfering with current recreational uses, the margins of the "Ride" should be left unmown to a width of 5 metres (as per the shaded areas on the image embedded on the map). It should then be mown once a year in October and the arisings collected and removed from the site. This will reduce fertility over time and increase the quality of the site for wildflowers.

Native flowers will appear immediately (see image embedded on map where Hedgerow and Dove's-foot Crane's-bill, Meadow Buttercup, Speedwell and Cow Parsley are all visible in an accidentally unmown scrap of margin). These will provide habitat, refuge and foraging benefit to wildlife in situ and immensely important ecological function as a wildlife corridor to a wide range of insects and smaller mammals. They will also provide visual amenity to users of the site.

These benefits will increase over time as the sward in the margins becomes more and more suitable for wildflowers. Adjoining sites such as verges could, over time, be considered for similar management to increase the "connectivity" function of the management approach.

Note: I am unsure whether the images have saved or not. The map function is giving inconsistent messages about it.

Site ID 10189

Site name
Abbey Gardens - a link in a nature corridor.

Respondent
Mr Edward Barratt

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Today, the site is an important 'carbon sink' for the most polluted part of town - on Mersea Road. This section of Mersea Road has already been declared an AQMA. But it should also be viewed as the centre of a 'nature corridor' - connecting the Abbey Gardens, the Pocket Park (managed by Remus for Taylor Wimpey), the grounds of the Officers Club, St Johns Green, the old ABRO site, Abbey Fields and the cricket ground - within which wildlife populations can readily move and multiply, enabling biodiversity and satisfying a key aim of the forthcoming Environment Bill (expected to become law in Autumn 2021). The recognition of such a network close to the town centre would be very considerable for enhancing wildlife. More signage of appropriate spaces such as this one should be part of the 'educational' aspect of the Woodland and Biodiversity Project - encouraging the community to understand and appreciate nature and the environment and to adopt an active concern for its protection - thereby helping the Council to tackle the climate emergency, declared in 2019.

Site ID 10444

Site name
Abbey Gardens - a link in a nature corridor.

Respondent
Mr Edward Barratt

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Sections of the site are within the boundary of the buffer area of the Roman Circus, referred to in the Council's recently adopted ‘Roman Circus Management Plan'. It was purchased by Taylor Wimpey from the MOD in 2004 and then, later, given to CBC by Taylor Wimpey (see planning application 131935 31936). It is referred to as a 'nature reserve' in the planning application (131935 31936, paragraph 16. 51) for the Arena Place Development. This site appears to include 'the Mound' (thought to be a burial site for C17 plague victims) and the remains of Roman dead have also been found there. The site has apparently never been built on or cultivated. Today, the site is an important 'carbon sink' for this particularly polluted part of town - Mersea Road, close to St Botolph's Roundabout - being situated in an AQMA. Importantly, it can also be viewed as the centre of a potential 'nature recovery network' - connecting Abbeyfields, the Abbey Gardens, St Johns Green and the ABRO site - within which wildlife populations can readily move and multiply, enabling biodiversity and satisfying a key aim of the Environment Bill (expected to become law in Autumn 2021). The value of such a network close to the town centre would be very considerable. This space of dense woodland is, with good reason, closed to the public: the low level of the wall and the drop on to Mersea Road, the uneven nature of the ground and the density of the trees being relevant factors. I understand that the site was previously declared a nature reserve (in 131935 31936, paragraph 16. 51) but it needs further recognition and protection by CBC - and should form part of the new green network.

Site ID 10161

Site name
Ardleigh Reservoir

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This is a major blue space which is very hard to access via the existing footpath network, even though it is close to some footpaths and bridleways. It is within walking and cycling distance of Highwoods, Greenstead and the proposed Tendring Garden Community, as well as the Northern Gateway/ sports park - but is cut off from all of these places by the A12 and A120.

Site ID 10577

Site name
Area between Birch Brook and Donyland Woods

Respondent
enform

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It is very important to preserve and enhance existing sites. Enhancement can be achieved by linking up and extending existing sites. At the moment new ecological sites are being created by planting trees on random areas of predominantly biodiverse dead farmland. The strategy should be to plan the wildlife areas by enlarging existing areas of wildlife areas.
Allocating this area as part of the Green network and a potential site for rewilding would dramatically improve the ecological value of this site and all the important wildlife sites which adjoins it as well as acting as an important buffer zone.

Site ID 10595

Site name
Area between Pods Wood and Layer Woods

Respondent
enform

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The most effective way of increasing biodiversity is to connect existing wildlife sites. Assessing whether this site could be used for rewilding would connect two important Local Wildlife Sites with Ancient woodland which would significantly increase biodiversity within the area.

Site ID 10580

Site name
Area Surrounding Hill house Wood

Respondent
enform

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
To help Colchester achieve its biodiversity objectives it is important that wildlife sites form part of a strategic plan. The most effective way to achieve these objectives is to preserve, enhance and increase the area of existing wildlife sites and particularly to join existing sites.
This area would link two important woodland areas allowing both sites wildlife value to be enhanced.

Site ID 10285

Site name
Area to East of Salary Brook and its Slopes

Respondent
Colchester East Action Group

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It would be an important extension of the proposed Salary Brook Country Park.

Site ID 10661

Site name
Bearchgrove

No site plotted.

Respondent
Miss Jennifer Impey

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
As mentioned above this has extremely rare species if you search RSPB Middlewick you will see a report they have completed confirming the fact that this should not be developed on. Pure greed is involved in this for monetary purposes if this is continued to be pushed forward!

Site ID 10163

Site name
Colchester Golf Club

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This is a major area of green space which is currently only accessible to golfers. It divides Braiswick and Myland and the public rights of way are in places very poor quality - for example having to go around three sides of a square, between a fence and a hedge.

Areas of rewilding would signficantly improve its environmental impact compared to golf lawns.

Very close to the new Chesterwell development.

Site ID 10688

Site name
Colchester Nature Recovery area

Respondent
Mr Mark Halladay

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
To enable nature recovery across the entire City area.
To enable all residents to take part in nature recovery and enjoy an improved living environment.
To boost economic development especially in the agricultural, tourism and leisure sectors.
To preserve and enhance Colchester’s heritage.
To improve Colchester’s image as an attractive place to live.
To fulfil the City Council’s statutory duty “to protect and enhance biodiversity” as a public authority (Environment Act, 2021 section

Site ID 10469

Site name
Crouch Street

Respondent
Miss Rachel Bosler

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This is the entryway to Colchester from the West and currently it is incredibly unwelcoming with large cars constantly blocking cyclists and walking trying to use the pathways in to town. A small green space here with wildlife would dramatically improve the look and feel of entering town.

Turning this into a green space would also stop cars from illegally parking here and could help clean the air up a bit in this notoriously smoggy area and make up for the way the residents of this area were abandoned by the city when the plan to improve our section of the city was vetoed.

Given there is plenty of parking - and the space I am recommending is NOT currently supposed to be parking the local businesses should not have an issue with improving the beauty of their local area with a mini green space.

Site ID 10474

Site name
Egret OS

Respondent
Mr Mark Halladay

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The site is currently left to “naturalise” according to the CCC website. In a survey of the site in 2023 we found 26 species of wildlflowers including areas of the sward which were entirely dominated by crane’s-bill, medick and stork’s-bill. The site showed no sign of other recreational use but is crossed by two desire lines. The site might be improved by annual mowing on a cut and collect basis in October with the arisings removed from the site. This will improve the wildflower diversity and abundance over time. Maintained in this way, the site can also provide a green “incursion” into the surrounding residential area, creating a connecting link for wildlife into some of the other green spaces around Greenstead. Explanatory signage should also be erected on site.

Site ID 10170

Site name
Field next to Cymbeline Way

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This field is between the underpass under station way (almost a dead end, only steep steps up the bank or a very poorly maintained stile), and 'The Chase Way' part of the existing Cymbeline Meadows wildlife area. It is used for occasional sheep grazing, as well as touring funfairs and the circus.

Pedestrian access here is very limited and historic rights of way have been blocked by fencing, to the point where Colchester Civic Society put out an appeal for people who had used the links which are still not official public footpaths.

There should be improved access between the station way underpass with a path following the line of the river, joining to the existing shared footway along Cymbeline Way / A133, and providing a circular route around the field, with access also directly to 'The Chase Way' and from there the rest of Cymbeline Meadows.

This would have minimal impact on the existing site and it could remain as occasional grazing and temporary event ground, but it would dramatically improve connections between Cymbeline Meadows, Hilly Fields, and the Colne riverside towards Castle Park, all of which are very close to each other but isolated by busy roads. It would also improve cycle and wheelchair access and safety, since both would be able to use the underpass instead of the informal crossing.

Site ID 10333

Site name
Footpath St Andrews Gardens to Harwich Rd

Respondent
Mr Mark Halladay

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This area comprises a narrow footpath margin and hedgerow. The sward margin is packed with Crane’s-bill, Medick, Fumitory and other beautiful wildflowers. On one visit I estimated the sward was 66% flowering wildflower - a heaven for nectar feeding pollinators . The hedge is thick with native ivy and other native hedgerow species. One lady told me on one visit that hedgehogs were seen in the area regularly. The site is not suitable for recreational use but does have a small wall to one side to demarcate it from gardens. On a sunny day, with flowers in full bloom it would make a lovely impromptu picnic spot (there are already bins in place).(Note: Colchester has a number of similar footpath margins. These should all be assessed for similar management).

Site ID 10268

Site name
Frances Close feature verge

Respondent
Mr Mark Halladay

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The Frances Close site is a small residential roadside feature verge comprising grassland and two mature almond street trees. It is surrounded on all sides by dense housing. Since 2021 it has been part of the Wivenhoe Green Spaces project. As such it has been unmown between March and October and surveyed for wildflowers and public reaction. A single annual mow in October on a cut & collect basis has returned the sward to traditional tidiness for the winter.
During this period 41 species of wildflower were recorded on the site and no complaints or adverse comments were made to surveyors. No complaints or adverse comments were received by the Town Council.
One older neighbour early on talked to me as I was surveying the site. He told me he had moved into the bungalow opposite while the estate was still being built (mid 1970's). I had been puzzling as to why one third of the site was of an obviously very different substrate to the rest. This had created a strikingly different, and richer, floral mix to the sward in that different third. I asked the resident about it, and he told me that the original developer had had his works yard and shed on that particular spot. Towards the end of the build, the developer had thrown topsoil and grass seed on the larger part of the area. But that was while the yard and shed were still in use and in situ. When the developer vacated his works site, he left that third as found with no "improvement".
The developemnt area was originally heathland. The consequence of the developer's action is that what remains in that small third of the site is rich in the flora of the original heath. It remains as testament and fragment of Wivenhoe's ecological and cultural heritage, an accidental relic of a managed landscape now long gone and one which was once rich in endemic flora and fauna.

Site ID 10624

Site name
grassland between birch brook and weir lane

Respondent
Ms Dagmar Engelken

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
the site has a great network of footpaths already. the site, especially the field edges along the footpaths, is full of wildflowers, butterflies and dragonflies in the spring and summer. this is largely semi-improved grassland (misclassified as farmland). nesting site for skylarks. lots of birds along the edges. it should be managed sympathetically as wildflower meadows as in highwoods country park. a thorough e cological survey needs to be done to determine best managed. no spraying, fertilising or scarifying, cutting at certain times of year (tradition hay meadow) etc. it should not be used as a "mitigation site" for middlewick. scattering sulpfur as proposed on the local plan for middlwick would destroy what is already there. this is an important site on its own right, the soil conditions and wildlife are different from middlewick LoW (it is stupid and destructive to try to to recreate Middlewick acid grassland here) this site is the connecting part between Middlewick / Birchbrook and Doneyland Woods /Friday Woods.

Site ID 10284

Site name
Greenstead Ponds

Respondent
Colchester East Action Group

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This is an important water area in Greenstead Ward.

Site ID 10169

Site name
Hythe Quay

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This section of the river is a mixture of car parking, light industrial use and waste ground including a large concrete wall which blocks most of the view of the river. There is either no footway, or narrow footway on the southbound side of Hythe Quay and only a narrow footway on the northern side.

By removing the parking, concrete wall, and tyre dealership, the full length between Hythe Station Road and Colne Causeway could be made pedestrian accessible, potentially with improved cycle accessibility, environment improvements to the river bank and improved sightlines to the river. Potentially combined with improvements to the existing houseboat moorings too.

This would integrate with the existing topsail footbridge and could be linked to Paxman's walk via a new crossing point.

Site ID 10160

Site name
Industrial land adjacent to King Edward Quay

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Significant improvement to to the Rowhedge Trail which is at risk of being completely lost due to erosion damage to this section.

Site ID 10252

Site name
Land at Stanway Nurseries

Respondent
Stanway Nurseries

Agent
ADP

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This land could provide attractive amenity land for both the residents of Stanway and Copford.

Site ID 10172

Site name
Land between Alderwood Care Home and Cymbeline meadows

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
There is currently no access from Station Way / Essex Hall Road to Cymbeline Meadows. This small parcel of land could join the two existing footpaths to enable pedestrian access to a large area of green space from very close to Colchester Rail Station and local residences. There may also be potential to allow the woodland to naturally expand by self-seeding.

Site ID 10166

Site name
Land between Church Lane and School Road in Stanway

No site plotted.

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
There is very heavy development around this area but little access to green space, especially due to the A12.

The site already has natural features such as the Roman River and Gravel Pit Wood. It is in close proximity to London Road which is very busy, and proper pedestrian and cycle links betwen Church Lane and School Lane would provide an alternative, green route as well as onward connections to other rights of way.

Site ID 10162

Site name
Land between Terrace Hall Chase, Salary Brook, A12, and Boxted Road

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
There is currently not a good walking link parallel to the A12 between Horkesley and Boxted Road. this would link Horkesley to the park and ride and sports park, and enable pedestrian and cycle connections between Boxted and West Bergholt, making existing footpath and lane networks more contiguous. There is a lot of heavy development in this area and this would then reserve some green space

Site ID 10131

Site name
Land South of Berechurch Hall Road/William Harris Way roundabout

Respondent
Mr Kieran Franklin

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Population growth in Colchester has outstripped allotment supply. This site is of limited use for built developments because of the power lines, but would be a great allotment site.

Site ID 10546

Site name
Leisure World Overflow Car Park

Respondent
Mr Chris Lacey

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?

Site ID 10365

Site name
Leys Rd feature verge

Respondent
Mr Mark Halladay

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
For the last two growing seasons Leys Rd verge has been part of the Wivenhoe Green Spaces project and subject to a twice a year cut and collect mow in July and October. This regime has been adopted to encourage wildflower growth and to encourage a “re-acquaintance” of people with everyday nature. Nationally 84% of people live in towns and cities. For most people this has created an alienation from nature. The negative effects of this can be seen in various ways ranging from increased mental health and well-being issues through to the concreting over and astroturfing of gardens. Our health and the nation’s ecology suffers. In the two years that it has not been mowed, 37 species of wildflower have been found on the site. The surveys offered some insight into neighbours’ attitudes too (the site is overlooked by 22 neighbours, possibly the most densely overlooked of all the project’s residential no mow sites and the verge itself is the dominant feature of the Leys Rd cul-de-sac). One couple talked to me when I was surveying the site about their reaction to the no mow regime. They described how they had been initially torn, with one of them intrigued by and the other unhappy at the idea of it not being mown. After two years and having seen the wildlflowers grow and the verge returned to “normality” after the October cut, both were pleased with the regime and its effects and supportive of it continuing. One household out of 22 isn’t proof of anything but it has lead to us this year (2024) planning a survey of all 170+ households in the residential part of the project to gauge reaction after what will have been 3 years of seasonal no mow in 15 residential verge locations.

Site ID 10714

Site name
Longridge open space

Respondent
Michael Padmore

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Green spaces need to be connected, not fragmented. Greenstead has some wonderful green spaces but they need to be better connected. They can play a vital role in creating a fantastic natural resource, running from Cymbeline Meadows, Castle Park, Cowdray Marsh, Greenstead South Slopes, Magnolia Drive and Longridge, Salary Brook and Wivenhoe Woods.

Site ID 10159

Site name
Love Hill Walk / Nicholl's Grove

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This currently consists of what appears to be an overgrown ex-industrial site, with an existing footpath right of way, but with the woodland fenced off by 2m high metal fencing .The footpath is narrow and overgrown.

The woodland site could be reclaimed, possibly still some kind of fence or hedging if there are remaining safety concerns. Then the footpath widened into a shared cycle/walking route.

This would then provide a continuous and pleasant walking route from Hythe Hill, which is currently cut off from most green space in Colchester by the transport network, down to Bourne Valley. There could also be an improved connection and crossing to the Moors.

Site ID 10356

Site name
Middlewich & Donyland

No site plotted.

Respondent
Emma Bamfield

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The land contains at risk acid grass land and other imports rare species, particularly lizards. Its an amazing open space and deserves protection from housing

Site ID 10498

Site name
Middlewich Ranges

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mrs Jennifer Francis

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
See above.

Site ID 10217

Site name
Middlewick

Respondent
Mr Gary Plummer

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It is the most Bio diverse pocket of green land in Colchester. It is home to rare Acid grass and over 100 invertebrates, many of whom are on the critical list.
it is a natural habitat for birds, and other animals, and must be protected from any development as this land cannot be replaced or replicated.

Site ID 10354

Site name
Middlewick

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mrs Janice Cross

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It's already being used as a green space, but threatened with a housing estate

Site ID 10370

Site name
Middlewick

No site plotted.

Respondent
Miss Denise Byrne

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Save the wick!
See above

Site ID 10377

Site name
Middlewick

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mr Simon Barton

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Because it's the only adequate gree space for most of old heath residents and it is used daily by so many. We don't need any more pressure on social services, so let's do the sensible thing and keep areas which are scientifically proven to reduce mental health triggers...

Site ID 10384

Site name
Middlewick

No site plotted.

Respondent
Miss Jennifer Impey

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Once nature is destroyed you cannot get it back especially rare grass land and animals that take years to develop. To have this area developed for a quick buck and for monetary purposes is disgusting. We cannot get this back once it is destroyed.

Site ID 10455

Site name
Middlewick rangers

Respondent
Mrs Anita Bond

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It’s diverse wildlife and plants
Green lungs for Colchester
Large. Open space to enjoy and explore, play, walk
And connect with nature, wellbeing

Site ID 10349

Site name
Middlewick Ranges

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mr Andy Goodey

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Because it is threatened with destruction for housing. It is an utterly irreplaceable site full of biodiversity and beauty and should not be destroyed

Site ID 10362

Site name
MIDDLEWICK RANGES

No site plotted.

Respondent
Ms Kate Wilcox

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It is crucial rare habitat and it would be ecocide to build on it.

Site ID 10437

Site name
Middlewick Ranges

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mrs J Radford

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Middlewick is one of the few remaining spaces which consists of acid grassland which is irreplaceable and an invaluable site for finding rare and endangered invertebrates and small mammals and plants.
Middlewick is a space of great carbon capture and conversion with it's woodland and stream.
You, the council planners, must also consider the health of people of Colchester who can and do use this space as a place of recreation and spiritual, emotional, psychological and physical health keeping and making. People can have their moods lifted by walking in open green spaces and children grow better and healthier with open space to run and play in.
I wish I knew enough to quote the numbers of rare species like nightingales, skylarks, bats, badgers, foxes, grass snakes, adders and slo worms who all live there and it would be aa case of WHOLESALE SLAUGHTER of these creatures if you allowed building on this site. Middlewick Ranges are far more valuable to the good health of residents of Colchester than houses especially as Colchester has exceeded the requirement for new housing in recent years and there are many more suitable brown field sites within the City limits. Middlewick Ranges as green space should be conserved as such.

Site ID 10441

Site name
Middlewick ranges

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mr Dave Harris

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Because evidence suggested that the special ecology in Middlewick needs protection

It should be considered for a woodland cemetery and nothing else

Site ID 10506

Site name
Middlewick Ranges

Respondent
Ms Caroline White

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Because there is rare acid grassland which is a carbon sink and a home to flora and fauna some of which is rare. There is wide biodiversity on this site where housing is planned to replace this. The area is used by the local community where there is poor air quality and many low income families.

Site ID 10641

Site name
Middlewick ranges

Respondent
Sara Poole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The rate of house building across Colchester is very concerning. I know that people have to have somewhere to live but unless the infrastructure is in place then more homes just puts more pressure on already stretched services.
Green spaces are vital for mental health and well-being. Colchester needs to become a leading example of how a city council looks after and develops its green spaces.

Site ID 10364

Site name
Middlewick Ranges and all areas of

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mr Graham Sims

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It is the last large area of outstanding natural beauty and resources within the Colchester boundary. It is an amazing space of open grassland, woodland, flower meadows, streams, copses, nesting sites, rich and diversified animal, insect and bird reserve and need I go on! It is an AMAZING SPACE for the next generation to come!

Site ID 10653

Site name
Middlewick Ranges Area - speedwell road

No site plotted.

Respondent
enform

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This site should form part of Colchester green network and used to help Colchester achieve its biodiversity targets. It is an important buffer zone to surrounding local wildlife sites and an important open space for local residents.
Any development on this site would severely degrade wildlife in the local area.

Site ID 10348

Site name
Middlewick Ranges Nature reserve

Respondent
Mr Richard Martin

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Middlewick Ranges is already listed as a site of national importance for invertebrate species, 25% of Essex butterfly and moth species can be found here. rare acid grassland makes up a large proportion of the site, and is the only large accessible green space within walking distance for most of the population of south colchester.

Site ID 10678

Site name
Middlewick. Opposite lidle on the Abbots Road

Respondent
Mrs Carol Durrell

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
As it's already a green established site and used by many in the community.

Site ID 10234

Site name
Old bus station

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This is part of the new proposed route from St Botolph's station, through the priory, up to the castle identified in Colchester's masterplan document. The land has a covenant on it and has been derelict for years. Having market stalls here would take pressure off the high street and allow people to eat without as much air pollution from traffic. A small skate park would provide a city-centre attraction and remove some of the conflict in the immediately vicinity of first site.

Site ID 10215

Site name
Pitchbury wood

Respondent
Mr Steve Waters

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It is unspoilt at present and private but would make a splendid recreational area

Site ID 10158

Site name
Play golf / Spring Grove

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Restoring access to rights of way which have been cut off by road building and golf courses. Important crossing of the A12. Possibly commuter route for satellite villages. Continuous link between other green spaces (Cymbeline Meadows to Hillhouse Wood).

Site ID 10607

Site name
River route (Middleborough to Remembrance Ave)

Respondent
Walk Colchester

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Because it IS the Colne, and surely we want to extend continuity of access and enjoyment along our full river? It itself does not have stop and start sections! Because of the connectivity it offers between town and station/meadows. Because this could be really be pretty and surprisingly lovely, but instead barely seems to benefit even those whose flats back onto it...

Site ID 10206

Site name
Roman River Corridor

Respondent
Marks Tey Parish Council

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?

Site ID 10570

Site name
Roman River Corridor

Respondent
Mrs Marian Hamer

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
As chair of the Great Tey Neighbourhood Plan group we support the proposal for a Roman River corridor put forward by the parish councils of Great Tey, Aldham, Marks/Little Tey as it reflects the views of our community gathered during our community engagement process, specifically that the rural nature of the parish should be maintained and surrounding countryside, wildlife and fauna should be protected and encouraged to thrive.

Site ID 10568

Site name
ROMAN RIVER CORRIDOR PROPOSAL

Respondent
Mr Iain Wicks

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The corridor includes mature hedgerows and trees, pastureland, floodplain, a reservoir and some
arable land. Much of the Roman River is followed by a public right of way. Just to the north of the
river is the ‘Gainsborough Line’, also a linear habitat, with trees the length of it.

Some of the wooded areas are already designated priority habitats and it is likely that others should
be:

ROMAN RIVER CORRIDOR
PROPOSAL

The Natural England green infrastructure website 3 shows the areas as follows:

The Marks Tey Brickpit SSSI 4 , designated for its important Pleistocene lake sediments, sits across the
Roman River. The area is designated 5 as a Mineral Safeguarding Area for sand and gravel extraction:

Site ID 10286

Site name
Salary Book Country Park

Respondent
Colchester East Action Group

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
Biodiversity value.

Site ID 10593

Site name
Salary Brook & Surrounding areas

Respondent
enform

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The best way to achieve biodiversity targets apart from protecting existing wildlife sites is to expand and enhance those existing sites with the benefit of increasing total ecology in an area.
This site offers scope to preserve the existing sites increase their effectiveness and act as a buffer zone.

Site ID 10597

Site name
Tarmac site/Keelars Lane Flood (NB map approximate as accurate information not to hand at time of writing)

Respondent
Graham Sutton

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The Tarmac/Keelars Lane site is already an important biodiversity site with an all year round wealth of wildlife. When left to rewild and remediated in accordance with biodiversity priorities, and under management as a nature reserve, the benefits increase disproportionately due to location and potential connections to other sites.
It also has scope to offer much more, including important strategic connectivity and wildlife corridors to Cockaynes Wood LNR, Sixpenny Brook and Alresford Creek. To the south of the site, the coastal slopes run down to the saltmarsh margins of the Colne estuary, so the site sits on important migration routes for birds on the Colne/Thames Estuary flyways.
The site itself already has mixed habitat with gravel/sand, wet wooded areas and freshwater lakes and lagoons as well as a brook. Together they offer great potential for a mixed wetland/dry heathland area.
Key species already recorded breeding on site include UK-level rare breeding birds (Marsh Harrier; Little Ringed Plover; Pochard, as well as Skylark, Kestrel and Great Crested Grebe). Spring and Autumn migration sees a diverse range of waterbirds and landbirds, including many scarce /localised UK species (eg Hobby. Turtle Dove, Nightingale, Green Sandpiper, Garganey, Water Rail). In Summer, singing warblers and hirundines are constantly present, with regular visiting Common Terns, a very likely potential breeder with the right management. Winter brings large and varied concentrations of wildfowl and waterbirds, thrushes, finches and buntings (with significant roosts of Starlings, Fieldfares and Redwings). Kingfishers, Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrowhawks and Barn Owls can be seen throughout the year. Bee Orchids have been recorded on the site. A range of amphibians (including Newts) are present.

Sympathetic management will relatively easily boost the site’s ability to host greater numbers and diversity of breeding, passage, summering and wintering species, with well-known and low cost techniques imported and adopted from good practice elsewhere.

The existing freshwater shallow lagoon is already a locally rare and strategically important high-quality habitat for migratory and wintering waders (in addition to the breeding Oystercatchers and Little Ringed Plovers), and as such a precious resource among the surrounding Essex/Colne/Thames saltwater habitats.
The site has existing public access via a protected right of way (public footpath) running east to west. This could be extended to provide viewing sites/hides/boardwalks to enhance the public appreciation of the site while protecting habitat for wildlife. Existing buildings on the site offer an opportunity for development of a low cost visitor resource/information centre, with huge benefits for health, education and leisure, as well as the huge boost to biodiversity, air quality and green space.

Site ID 10613

Site name
Tarmac/Keelars Lane

No site plotted.

Respondent
Mr Mark Halladay

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The Tarmac/Keelars Lane site is a recently worked-out quarry now entered its decommissioning phase. It is already an important site for wildlife and offers important strategic connectivity in the east with the established Cockaynes Wood LNR, to the valley of Sixpenny Brook and thence to Alresford Creek. To the south the coastal slopes of the “Essex Alps” run down to the saltmarsh margins of the Colne estuary. To the west and north lie existing local wildlife sites at Wivenhoe Cross Pit and the potential to link to other green space at the University and the north Colne corridor.
One idea might be to create a landscape scale nature recovery project linking all these sites and areas. The Tarmac/Keelars Lane site sits at a crossroads in that landscape, offering key connectivity between its west and eastern arms.
The site itself already offers mixed habitat comprising sand and gravel substrate, wooded areas and freshwater lakes and lagoons as well as a boundary brook. Together they offer great potential for a mixed wetland/dry heathland area.
Key species already recorded on site include breeding marsh harrier, roosting sites for fieldfare and starling (including murmuration events), kingfisher, breeding little ringed plover and pochard, resident great crested newt and visiting garganey. Bee orchid is a recent loss to the site which, with sympathetic management, will return. Other target species for improved management would include nightingale and turtle dove (both nationally scarce and declining, both with local footholds in adjacent sites), wood sandpiper and stone curlew as species in passage and resident otter and water vole.
An existing freshwater shallow lagoon already offers very high-quality habitat for migratory and wintering waders. Although the surrounding area is rich in saltwater habitat for migratory birds, freshwater habitat is locally scarce. The site offers potential for creating large areas of freshwater habitat within its boundaries. As well as being important habits for biodiversity, freshwater landscape provides excellent carbon sequestration providing important green infrastructure function.
This in turn creates potential for the site (and those adjoining sites within the putative corridor) to host economic activity including investment by way of biodiversity net gain (BNG) credits and income by way of other environmental payments including emerging Environmental Land Management schemes.
The site lies on the immediate eastern edge of Wivenhoe’s settlement area. It therefore provides an opportunity to extend and enhance open space provision for local people. There is existing public access via a protected right of way (public footpath) running east to west. This could be extended to provide viewing sites to enhance the public appreciation of the site while maintaining the security of the habitat for wildlife. It would be a major addition to residents’ green infrastructure amenity as well as to the area’s biodiversity.

Site ID 10658

Site name
The areas around Middlewick Ranges

Respondent
Mr Andrew Wilkinson

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
These areas are important to be preserved as both a recreational open space for local residents and as an important buffer zone to important adjoining Local Wildlife sites.
The site also offers the opportunity to enhance wildlife opportunities both on site and adjacent sites by offering a bigger wildlife area.

Site ID 10394

Site name
The Middlewick Ranges

No site plotted.

Respondent
Ms Emma McNally

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It is a haven for wildlife and a unique site whose biodiversity needs to be preserved for future generations. Once lost it can never be replicated elsewhere.

Site ID 10489

Site name
The Mount, Marlowe Way, CO3 4JR

Respondent
Mrs Judith Sorrell

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
It should become part of Colchester's green network because it is half way between Lexden Park and the protected green area at the entrance to Marlowe Way and is therefore a stepping stone for wildlife on their way to this area.
I would like to see this site being used by wildlife and residents. This area needs protecting as there have been two previous planning applications and there is one application which is current. This has been a public open space for the last 50 years and it needs protecting.

Site ID 10168

Site name
Vacant industrial land next to Haven Road

Respondent
Nathaniel Catchpole

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
The Rowhedge Trail is currently closed due to sever erosion damage next to the sewage works outlet, with no timeline for repair.

It has been diverted through a vacant industrial site, however this is between high security fencing and it is not immediately obvious that there is a diversion until you are very close.

The area between the current diversion and the Colne should be opened up and rewilded.

This would:
- safeguard the Rowhedge trail against further damage and potential permanent closure should the site be re-let, additionally the currently closed section of the trail could be left closed, potentially saving some of the repair costs.
- prevent industrial run-off should the site come back into use
- reduce rainwater run-off and improve flood resilience compared to the current concrete surface
- provide a much improved gateway, both in terms of access and aesthetics, to the Rowhedge trail from Hythe.

Site ID 10452

Site name
Weir Lane Grassland

Respondent
Ms Davina Bamford

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This area, with a variety of habitats is of significant ecological value, seen as one to the animal species that reside in the south of Colchester (in the few connected green spaces they have left) and important to maintain health and wellbeing to the people of Colchester.

Site ID 10458

Site name
Weir Lane Grassland

Respondent
Mr Mark Halladay

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
My own view is that the area is a crucial link in what can be a regionally important ecology corridor of very different but complementary habitats reaching from the heart of Colchester at Abbots Rd eventually to Mersea Island. This kind of linkage is essential to green infrastructure and should be considered in the context of Essex Local Nature Recovery Partnership’s work on landscape-scale planning. Otherwise, I have chosen to borrow the Friends of Middlewick summary of the significance of the site itself to explain why it should be part of the the green network for Colchester as it sums it up best.
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.

Site ID 10465

Site name
Weir Lane Grassland, South of Birch Brook

Respondent
Mr David Rice

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
When the Council are declaring a Climate Emergency on the one hand, it is ridiculous and hypocritical on the other to re-purpose this for building development. The Essex Wildlife Trust have identified this area as a significant part of the belt between the River Colne and Abberton Reservoir that is so important in supporting migrating wildlife. Current plans would destroy this eco-system and impact those that join it. It is my understanding that the Council should actively be protecting areas such as this, not progressing plans to destroy it!

Site ID 10418

Site name
Weir Lane Grassland/Birch Brook

Respondent
Miss Anne Taylor

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
We cannot replicate what has taken mother nature decades (and more) to develop. We're fool's to believe man knows better. Science has proven that we are screwing our planet. Ripping up valuable green space of vital habitat importance to "try" and recreate acid grass through an "exercise" to salve councillors consciousness for destroying Middlewick is madness. We can do something brilliant keeping this the wild natural habitat it is now. Let's not destroy anymore habitat that depends on us.
There are brown sites and existing undeveloped planning approved land in Essex - use them not this, please.

Site ID 10637

Site name
weir lane grassland/grassland south of birch brook

Respondent
dr linda mahon-daly

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
this is a valuable are of tall grassland with assoiciated biodiversity. it acts as part of a wider wildlife ecosystem/corridor connecting with the roman river area and thus out to the coast. it is not suitable mitigation land for the proposed middlewick deveolpement. To plough this up and subject it to a chemical experiment would be vandalism and lead to a significant overall loss of biodiversity.

Site ID 10371

Site name
Weir Lane Grasslands

Respondent
Mr Richard Kilshaw

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
High biodiversity habitats and important amenity area for the people of Colchester, which must not be lost to an experimental habitat creation scheme to mitigate against loss of even more important habitats on Middlewick as proposed by CCC within the Local PLan.

Site ID 10446

Site name
Weir Lane Grasslands (connecting Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI

Respondent
Michael Padmore

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
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.

Site ID 10554

Site name
Weir Lane Grasslands (connecting Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI

Respondent
Miss Sarah Munson

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
This site was part of the flawed proposal, by MOD consultants Stantec to mitigate the loss of irreplaceable Acid Grasslands, resulting from a housing development on the Middlewick Ranges.
It is a valuable habitat in its own right, as it represents one the largest tall grasslands in Colchester District being over 100 hectares. It is also a vital green corridor which directly connects other important habitat sites in the area. In supporting a vast array of invertebrates, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles birds and bats, it in turn encourages a variety of birds of prey to thrive, including kestrels, owls and buzzards.
The flawed proposal to recreate Ancient Acid Grasslands, would essentially involve ploughing up existing grassland and treating with sulphur. It is an experimental approach, with no ecological basis or precedent and the potential impacts of damage and toxicity to the existing ecology have not even been considered. It has been debunked by leading habitat and ecology experts, along with the major wildlife organisations. To quote Steven Falk FRES, UK invertebrate expert and author:
“"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."
I would urge that this site be considered in conjunction with The Middlewick Ranges and Birchwood Woodland Local Wildlife Sites to create a Nature Reserve and protected Green Space, of local and national importance.

Site ID 10588

Site name
Weir Lane Grasslands (connecting Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI)

Respondent
Essex Field Club

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
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.

Site ID 10598

Site name
Weir Lane Grasslands (connecting Birch Brook LoWS and Roman River SSSI).

Respondent
Mr simon Cross

Site ID 10334

Site name
Weir Lane Grasslands (connecting Birch Brook/Middlewick LoWS and Roman River SSSI)

Respondent
Mr Martin Pugh

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
I believe Weir Lane Grasslands - combined with Middlewick/Birch Brook LoWS - should be formerly included in CCC Green Network due to its existing high wildlife value and its essential role in connecting a range of green spaces in South Colchester including Middlewick Ranges, Birch Brook and Colchester Cemetery LoWS to the north and Roman River SSSI and a range of Local Wildlife Sites such as Rowhedge Pits and Manwood Chase woodland to the south.

'Weir Lane Grasslands' has been written off in the DIO/Stantec report as 'arable land'. However, this area supports 100ha+ of tussocky tall grassland which supports an enormous array of wildlife - and forms an essential part of the ecological connectivity within south Colchester. In that respect, it is ALREADY part of Colchester's Green Network; this should now be formerly designated as such.

Stantec, in their badly flawed report, were unable to evaluate its true wildlife value as they surveyed immediately after this grassland was cut for hay - hence they call it: 'ecologically benign (comparatively) arable land' and land of 'low ecological value'. The proposals to plough up this grassland and treat with sulphur would be absolutely devastating for the many 1000s of small mammals, reptiles, birds etc which currently rely on this landscape scale grassland resource - and the many millions of invertebrates this site currently supports. Where will this wildlife go when 100 hectares is ploughed up to 'compensate' for the destruction of Middlewick Ranges precious acid grassland?

Weir Lane Grassland should be protected from this ill thought out folly - and combined with Middlewick Ranges made a nature reserve/country park under the Green Networks.

Many thanks for your consideration,
Martin Pugh (Senior Ecologist of 18+ years experience)

Site ID 10290

Site name
Woods and Green Area near Welshwood Park

Respondent
Colchester East Action Group

Why should this become part of Colchester's green network?
General comment: all green areas and woodland should be preserved for the above reasons.

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