Transport Minister Derek Twigg announced that he would grant final approval to the proposals for a container port at Bathside Bay, Harwich, Essex. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is also issuing a letter today granting approval for the planning applications relating to the same proposal.

The final approval comes after a public inquiry in 2004, following which the inquiry inspector recommended in favour of the proposals, subject to conditions.

In a letter of 21 December 2005, the Secretary of State indicated that he was minded to approve the development, subject to some matters which required further clarification. These including making sure that the right conditions were imposed on the development to secure the necessary highways improvements in good time to provide congestion relief. Further representations were received at the end of January, which were circulated to all the interested parties that took part in the Inquiry for further comment.

Commenting on the announcement, Derek Twigg said:

" After careful consideration of all relevant representations that we have received, I am satisfied that all the outstanding points have been addressed and that the project should be allowed to proceed.

We are committed to sustainable distribution and this new project would play a large part in securing that aim. We understand at the same time that the new terminal will have a significant impact on the environment. This is why we have imposed controls on the development, to provide new road and rail infrastructure so that congestion does not increase, to provide compensatory habitats for wildlife displaced by the scheme, and to reduce other environmental impacts such as noise, pollution and the visual impact."

Source: Press Release