CONCERNS have been raised about the impact of a multi-million pound container terminal opposite Felixstowe and Shotley, if it goes ahead.Babergh Council's strategy committee was asked to comment on the proposals for Bathside Bay, near Harwich, after port owner Hutchinson (UK) Ltd submitted three planning applications to Tendring District Council.

CONCERNS have been raised about the impact of a multi-million pound container terminal opposite Felixstowe and Shotley, if it goes ahead.

Babergh Council's strategy committee was asked to comment on the proposals for Bathside Bay, near Harwich, after port owner Hutchinson (UK) Ltd submitted three planning applications to Tendring District Council.

If granted the green light it will become the UK's second largest container port after Felixstowe but will have significant impact on residents in the Shotley Peninsular.

Although Babergh did not object to the application, councillors raised concerns about noise, lighting and highway problems during and after the construction phase.

The committee agreed to ask Tendring to ensure thought is given to transporting freight by rail, instead of putting extra pressure on the road system in the area.

Councillors were also concerned that developers should make a contribution to an all year round foot ferry from Shotley Gate to Bathside Bay to create new employment opportunities.

They urged that an independent team of consultants work with Peninsula residents to identify their preferred list of compensatory economic, social, transport and environmental measures. This would be funded by the developers but answerable to Tendring.

Colin Spence, committee vice chairman, said: "Councillors made a number of highly constructive points regarding the proposed Bathside Bay development.

"The committee was keen to ensure that, should the proposed scheme get the go-ahead, disruption to the quality of life of Babergh residents was kept to a minimum and that the Peninsula communities had a chance to benefit from any resulting employment opportunities."

Neil Greig, Babergh's head of planning and economic development, said: "The Strategy Committee wanted to send out a clear message that any negative effects arising from the development on the Shotley Peninsula should be both minimised during the construction work and fully mitigated and compensated for thereafter."