A GROUP of Labour councillors have sent an open letter to Colchester’s Conservative MP Will Quince asking for reassurances over the future of an under threat beauty spot.

Middlewick Ranges, which is currently used by the Ministry of Defence, are set to be sold for development in 2022 when firing operations move to Fingringhoe.

The proposed sale, in addition to the 1,000 homes which could be built on the site, has been met with strong opposition from campaigners.

Activists have since, however, been given a glimmer of hope after Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged to not build homes on green fields.

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Mr Quince, who says he has always been against the Middlewick Ranges proposals, has now received a letter from Colchester councillors regarding the site’s future.

The open letter reads: “We are writing this open letter to you to ask that you urgently seek assurances from the Prime Minister that he will stick by his pledge in his reported conference speech not to build on green fields and in particular cancel the sale of Middlewick Ranges for housing development.

“We recognise this would be a departure from previous Government policy which has supported building on green fields as a way of reaching its 300,000 a year house-building target.

“While we do not support the Government’s view that the land is no longer needed for our armed forces, we do support the proposition that if the Government wish to dispose of the site for operational purposes the land should remain undeveloped.”

The note has been signed by Lee Scordis, Martyn Warnes, Adam Fox, Michael Lilley, Chris Pearson and Dave Harris, who represent Berechurch and Old Heath and The Hythe.

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It goes on to read: “We would like to see it given over as a nature reserve to protect its biodiversity and to be used for the recreational and health benefits of local residents.

“This would also go a long way to tackling the climate emergency.

“Given your own Government owns this land, we are calling upon you to seek an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister with the aim of stopping the sale and taking Middlewick Ranges off the table.”

In a lengthy statement published on his website, Mr Quince reiterated his stance on the Middlewick Ranges plans.

He said: “I have been consistent in my opposition to the proposed development and my support for the Wick.

“I have strongly argued against housing on the Wick and attempted to persuade the Ministry of Defence to abandon plans to sell the Wick.

“I regret to inform you the MOD remains unmoved and the sale of the Wick, although delayed, is scheduled to go ahead in 2022.

“I want to assure residents that I will continue to make the case against building on the Wick.”