I WAS disappointed to read the letter from Councillor Martin Goss in the Gazette (March 21) regarding Middlewick Ranges.

Having met with the Garrison and Brigade Commanders, it is clear to me the decision to sell part of Middlewick Ranges as part of the Ministry of Defence programme of estate rationalisation is not one that is unwelcomed by them.

In fact, there are clear operational and safety reasons for the Ministry of Defence wanting to move all range activities to Fingringhoe and it is not as has been suggested a move being forced on the Ministry of Defence or the Garrison and Brigade against their will.

The result for Colchester Garrison and 16 Air Assault Brigade will be a state-of-the-art upgraded firing ranges at Fingringhoe.

I can, therefore, despite this being disappointing, see why the Ministry of Defence has included part of Middlewick Ranges in their estate rationalisation plan and why Ministers have concluded our Garrison and Brigade are better served by upgraded ranges at Fingringhoe.

I objected to the Draft Local Plan specifically referring to the inclusion of 1,000 homes on part of the Middlewick Ranges site.

I want to stress again my disappointment that Colchester Council has taken the decision to include Middlewick Ranges in the draft Local Plan and has allocated 1,000 new homes.

Colchester Council’s independently assessed need housing for Colchester is 920 houses per year and Colchester is delivering in excess of that.

In 2014/15, Colchester delivered 943 houses and in 2015/16 Colchester delivered 933 houses.

With a commitment to garden communities, I question the need to include these numbers in the plan.

Now the decision to sell the land has been taken, in line with Treasury guidelines, the land will be placed on a Government Property Unit.

This will provide an opportunity for Colchester Council to express an interest before the site is placed on the open market.

Unlike Cllr Goss, I am not interested in blame. The fact he chaired the Local Plan committee that allocated the site for 1,000 homes is disappointing but the residents I serve want me to work with the council and Ministry of Defence to find realistic solutions for the site.

I have been working with the Ministry of Defence and Colchester Council to find a workable solution that builds only enough homes to secure the remainder of the site for a new country park, protected in perpetuity and within the control of Colchester Borough Council. These talks will continue and now that we have a further 12 month delay before any sale.

We have a real opportunity to make this plan a reality.

I will continue to do all I can to secure a significant proportion of the ranges for a new Middlewick Country Park and, instead of political posturing, I hope Cllr Goss will work with me to deliver this. Colchester residents deserve nothing less.

Will Quince

MP for Colchester