Colchester City Council’s Local Plan committee is set to discuss a report recommending that Middlewick Ranges be excluded from the emerging Local Plan. This recommendation, based on robust ecological evidence from a variety of sources, including the council’s
own Strategic Biodiversity Assessment, will be considered at the Local Plan Committee meeting on 17 February 2025.
The recommendation follows extensive ecological assessments, which have highlighted the site’s significant environmental value. Surveys conducted over the past two years have indicated that Middlewick Ranges is of potentially national significance due to its
invertebrate communities, acid grassland habitats, breeding birds, including a substantial nightingale population, and various bat species such as barbastelle bats. A recent evaluation of the fungi community has further confirmed the site’s ecological importance.
Given these findings, Natural England has advised that accommodating a housing allocation at Middlewick would likely cause significant harm to the area’s biodiversity. The council has carefully considered this expert guidance and remains committed to making
decisions grounded in scientific evidence and due process.
Councillor Andrea Luxford Vaughan, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Environment and Sustainability, said: “This recommendation reflects our commitment to an evidence-led approach in shaping the Local Plan. We have worked closely with Natural England and
other experts to fully understand Middlewick Ranges’ ecological value. Based on the latest evidence, we believe it is the right decision to separate Middlewick from the Local Plan.
“We recognise the depth of community concern about Middlewick and have taken the necessary steps to ensure transparency and accountability throughout this process. We are balancing the need for sustainable development with the responsibility to protect our
natural environment.”
The recommendation to remove Middlewick Ranges from the Local Plan will be formally discussed at the Local Plan Committee on 17 February 2025. If agreed, the recommendation will proceed to a six-week public consultation, providing residents and stakeholders
an opportunity to share their views.
Cllr Tim Young, Chair of Colchester City Council’s Local Plan Committee, added: “I welcome this report as a pivotal development in our ongoing deliberations on the emerging Local Plan. By adhering to rigorous processes, including comprehensive ecological
assessments and professional consultations, we are ensuring that our recommendation is well-informed and balanced.
“The evidence before us highlights the site’s unique biodiversity, which has been recognised by local campaigners. This isn’t just about land on a map – it’s about the identity of our city, our commitment to the environment, and the legacy we leave for future
generations. I look forward to a robust, thoughtful debate at our next meeting.”
The council remains dedicated to an open and thorough statutory process and will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure that Colchester’s future development aligns with both community needs and environmental priorities.
