I WOULD like to thank the 1,700-plus people who signed my petition opposing the loss of Middlewick in south Colchester to massive housing development.

I presented the petition to the last meeting of the Cabinet of Colchester Council, to whom I also extend thanks for their supportive comments on what local people hope can be achieved in stopping the loss of this last remaining area of heathland in Colchester.

It is important to understand the threat to Middlewick is not the fault of Colchester Council.

It is the Ministry of Defence which is proposing to sell the land for housing development.

I am grateful to the council for seeking to minimise the destruction of this important green oasis between Monkwick and Old Heath.

One member of the Berechurch Bulletin community campaign team, at his own expense, has taken legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in planning law.

Unfortunately we are not able to claim “village green” status for Middlewick, nor claim that unofficial footpaths have a legal right of way. The MoD legal people have made sure of that.

Only public footpaths on the Definitive Map have protected status, so we do have some leverage in determining what may happen to some of the land.

Ideally, of course, it would be nice if the whole area was handed over to Colchester Council as a country park, similar to what has been achieved with High Woods Country Park in north Colchester.

Those of us living in urban south Colchester would welcome a similar large area of open space being saved for public use.

The Berechurch Bulletin community campaign team and I are willing to work with people of all political persuasions and none in trying to save Middlewick from development.

Mick Spindler

Queen Mary Avenue, Colchester