THE name of Mike Shepherd will not be known to many people, but he was one of the three young planners working for Colchester Council 46 years ago who played pivotal roles in ensuring that High Woods Country Park was established – saving us from a planning disaster.

His two colleagues were Ted Gittins and Clive Richardson. The death of Mike Shepherd, at the age of 85, is an opportunity to explain how close we came to there being a sprawling housing estate stretching from Turner Road to Ipswich Road.

At local government reorganisation in 1974, Colchester inherited planning development control and local plans from Essex County Council – which included this proposed housing estate. When the High Woods development proposals came before the full council in 1976, it was rejected.

The matter was passed to Mr Shepherd, Mr Gittins and Mr Richardson to deliver the decision of elected councillors, what emerged is High Woods Country Park. Mr Shepherd was a planning officer of the highest calibre.

In his decades of service to Colchester he was responsible for overseeing much of the new developments in the central area with buildings of quality appearance which enhanced the built environment.

Look at Sir Isaac’s Walk and Culver Street, new buildings which blend so well with the historic core. And look at High Woods Country Park.

We can be grateful to Mr Mike Shepherd.

Sir Bob Russell Catchpool Road, Colchester