COLCHESTER’S High Steward has asked a top Government minister to meet him to discuss the plight of Middlewick Ranges. Sir Bob Russell, the town’s former MP, has written to Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, about the Ministry of Defence’s plans to build 1,000 homes at the popular beauty spot. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation is working up plans for 1,000 homes, a school and community facilities to be built on part of the much-loved wildlife haven once military operations stop at the site. Sir Bob called on Mr Gove to step in and halt the sale of the ranges, which is set to take place in 2022.