A new 117 hectare natural habitats and wildlife sanctuary has been given approval to accompany the Bathside Bay port expansion project in Harwich, opposite Shotley front.

The new development will create a mixture of estuarine and coastal habitats, including intertidal mudflat and saltmarsh. It will deliver an overall Biodiversity Net Gain of 166%. 

Freeport East, for whom Bathside Bay is a key development project that will support hundreds of new green jobs and local industry, welcomed the approval of the ambitious wildlife project.  

It is expected to act as an anchor and example for wider biodiversity and natural capital opportunities being explored by Freeport East. 

The new environment, which was approved by Tendring District Council's Planning Committee on Monday 18th March, includes the creation of a fresh/brackish water habitat and managed realignment of coastal flood defences at Little Oakley, on the edge of Hamford Water. The area will feature five viewing platforms and permissive footpaths to maintain access to Irlam's Beach and will allow walkers and residents to experience the rich wildlife including breeding waterbirds.

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."

Bathside Bay, located adjacent to Harwich International Port and within Freeport East, has already secured planning permission for the development of a new container terminal.

Phase one of the project started in 2022 on existing land, and the next phase involves reclaiming the bay and constructing the quay wall, resulting in the creation of up to 122 hectares of new port land.

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