Essex mega-prisons pose threat to rare wildlife, warn environmentalists

Government accused of reneging on environmental pledges with plan to build on old airfield near Braintree

Campaigners have criticised plans to develop two mega-prisons on the site of a rare bird and amphibian habitat in England.

The government has been accused of reneging on commitments in the Environment Act to stop the decline of wildlife by proposing the development on the old Wethersfield airfield, which has become an important space for nature near Braintree, Essex.