New 100 hectare Harwich wildlife sanctuary approved

The new environment will feature five viewing platforms, estuarian and coastal habitats, and path access to Irlam’s Beach.

The plans, which will create an overall biodiversity net gain of 166%, were approved by Tendring District Council’s planning committee on March 18.

Steve Beel, chief executive of Freeport East, said: “Given the planning processes that most other projects face, Bathside Bay is one of the few new port projects in the UK with the potential to service the offshore wind sector in the coming years. Supporting the UK’s 2050 Net Zero aspirations already makes this a genuinely “green” development. 

“However, we recognise the importance of balancing the demands for new infrastructure and development with protecting and nurturing our local biodiversity, both on land and in the marine environment.

"The new natural habitat in Little Oakley reinforces Freeport East’s commitment to biodiversity and improving the quality of green spaces whilst enabling the Bathside Bay development which could help the UK attract global investment and reach its offshore wind capacity."

The wildlife sanctuary, which includes intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes, will be accompanied by a realignment of coastal flood defences at Little Oakley.

Bathside Bay is located within Freeport East, one of eight new areas exempt from import taxes for goods coming into the area not destined for the UK.

The first phase of the project began in 2022, with the next phase involving reclaiming Bathside Bay and constructing the quay wall, resulting in the creation of up to 122 hectares of new port land.

It is hoped the development will create 13,500 new jobs.