Colchester City Council is set to remove a former Ministry of Defence firing range from its development plans due to the site's ‘significant environmental value.’
Surveys have indicated that Middlewick Ranges is of ‘potentially national significance’ due to its invertebrate communities, acid grassland habitats, breeding birds, and bat species.
Natural England has advised the council that including the site in the local plan would likely cause significant harm to the area’s biodiversity.
Cllr Andrea Luxford Vaughan, portfolio holder for Planning, Environment and Sustainability, said the council was committed to an ‘evidence-led approach’ to 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.’
