117 Hectare Wildlife Sanctuary Part of Harwich Port Expansion

An Evergreen vessel seen across the water at Harwich Port, UK
Environment Ports & Logistics
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Local authorities have given the green light for a 117-hectare wildlife sanctuary as part of the Bathside Bay project in Harwich, UK.

This initiative will establish a diverse range of estuarine and coastal ecosystems, encompassing intertidal mudflats and saltmarsh areas.

Situated at Harwich International Port, Bathside Bay has received approval to construct a new container terminal on both existing and reclaimed land from the bay, which will extend the port area by up to 122 hectares.

Bathside Bay is included within Freeport East, one of the eight freeports authorized by the UK government in January 2023, which also covers Felixstowe, Harwich, and Gateway 14.

The wildlife sanctuary received approval from the Tendring District Council’s Planning Committee on March 18th. The project plans include developing fresh/brackish water habitats and the strategic realignment of coastal flood defenses near Little Oakley. 

Additionally, five viewing platforms and paths that allow public access will be constructed to ensure visitors can appreciate the area's wildlife, including the breeding waterbirds.

In a statement, 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.”