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Government minded to approve Bathside Bay port development
23 December 2005
This week (Wednesday 21 December) the Government issued a letter stating that it is 'minded to approve' a controversial application for a massive new port at Bathside Bay at Harwich, Essex, which would destroy internationally important wildlife areas and lower the quality of life for local residents.
Friends of the Earth is convinced that the timing of the announcement, which has been expected for months, is a deliberate attempt by the Department for Transport to bury bad news before Christmas. The proposal was the subject of a five month long public inquiry in 2004.
Friends of the Earth's East of England campaigner, Mary Edwards, said:
"Building a massive new port at Bathside Bay would be extremely damaging to the environment and local communities. The Government has decided that the economic arguments override everything else - quality of life, landscape and wildlife. But even at this late stage we hope that common-sense will prevail and that this damaging project is left on the drawing board."
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
