Market Harborough housing plan prompts wildlife concern

Farndon Fields in Market Harborough could be home to otters, bats and badgers

A development of 270 homes could destroy an important wildlife habitat, campaigners have said.

The scheme in Leicestershire could threaten a lagoon and woodland, which is believed to shelter otters, bats and badgers, they say.

Residents in Market Harborough are also worried about construction traffic passing close to their homes.

Developer CJC said the plan for Farndon Fields had been designed to minimise the impact on wildlife.

'Robust surveys'

Alan Good, who lives nearby, said: "The woods are lovely - it's why we bought our homes. We were sold the idea that there wouldn't be any building.

"The developers don't seem to care about the residents so what chance does the wildlife have?"

CJC said it had carried out a range of surveys, including assessments of habitats to assess the presence of protected species.

"Our surveys have been completed over a significant period of time and not only follow best practice guidelines, but have extended them where necessary to ensure that the ecological baseline is as comprehensive and robust as reasonably practicable," a spokesman said.

In a statement Harborough District Council said: "For proposals of more than 150 dwellings the council will decide if an environmental impact assessment (EIA) is necessary.

"Regardless of an EIA, issues such as impact on woodland and lagoon will be assessed as necessary through any planning application."

Harborough District Council said the impact on the woodland would be assessed