November 1997

The plan by Associated British Ports to build a huge container port, by reclaiming land at Dibden Bay adjacent to Hythe Marina in Southampton Water, has met with scepticism and disapproval from environmental groups. The bay and its marshland are internationally recognised as a site of scientific interest, as a feeding ground for birds and as a habitat for other wildlife.

ABP has sought to defuse the antipathy to the scheme by pledging one hectare of land for wildlife for every two hectares of container port. It has also incorporated into its scheme a man-made creek a mile long and 300m (984ft) wide, designed with the aid of computer modelling. This creek is expected to behave in all respects just as a naturally evolved creek would.

However, a spokesman for the Hampshire Wildlife Trust has pointed out that one should not carry out computer experiments with such an important habitat.