RESIDENTS are uniting against proposals to build on a former Army training site.

Middlewick Ranges, off Mersea Road, in Colchester, is one of 13 sites being sold off by the Ministry of Defence in a bid to open up land for 17,000 homes across the country.

Initial proposals are to build 2,000 homes on the ranges but opposition is growing to the plans.

Lee Scordis (Lab), borough councillor for Old Heath and Hythe, said: “When we first heard about this we were worried.

“Middlewick Ranges is one of the few natural areas of wildlife in the south of Colchester.”

Mr Scordis has also attended a resident-led walk on the site in a bid to spot rare species of wildlife.

He added: “Just on that walk, we spotted slow worms and evidence of owls’ nests.

“The area is well used by dog walkers from Old Heath and Monkwick and just by talking to residents you can see the strong emotional and historical attachment to the area.”

Mr Scordis also expressed his concerns about the proposed development, citing a lack of infrastructure.

He added: “The fact is we do not have sufficient infrastructure for 2,000 houses. The roads for the area struggle now.

“Mersea Road and Old Heath Road would be the only roads people could drive down to get to the town centre.

"School places and GP services in the area are also a serious issue as it stands.

“Building a large development without the proper infrastructure could have a serious impact on the area.”

Stephanie Murran, of Fingringhoe Road, has led the walk on the wick.

She said: “When I first heard about proposed development on Middlewick Ranges I set up a Facebook group and got in contact with our councillors.

“Since then they have organised a residents’ meeting to update us, kept us updated since and suggested that as residents we could help by spotting rare species on the wick that may protect vast areas from development.

“After hearing this I decided to organise a ‘walk on the wick’, to get all residents together to help with finding rare species."

It is understood the Essex Wildlife Trust and the North East Essex Badger Group are also keen to halt development on the site.