DOZENS of lizards at a Thundersley wildlife haven are set to be relocated to make way for 150 new homes.

Developer David Wilson Homes is conducting preliminary work on the construction of new homes on land, known as the Thundersley Plotlands, between Kiln Road and Wensley Road, Thundersley.

Worried residents raised concerns over the safety of local wildlife after dozens of trees on the site were cut down last week.

Now, thirty common lizards are set to be transferred to the Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park in Rochford to keep them from harm.

A spokesperson for David Wilson Homes Eastern commented: “The two full time ecologists working with us on the site will be managing the relocation of the lizards, once the lizards have woken from their winter hibernation.

“The lizards will be re-homed on an area of land which has been specifically designated for their new habitat near Rochford.”

The 200-acre park is already home to a variety of reptiles and amphibians including the common frog and great crested newt.

Richard Evans, Rochford District Council's Head of Environmental Services, said: “In this instance the Council were approached by environmental specialists who work with the developers as they wished to translocate some species to our Cherry Orchard Jubilee Country Park.

"The park encourages several different species of wildlife and we have agreed that it’s the best habitat for them to make a new home."
 

The Thundersley Plotlands site is also known to be home to slow worms and five badger sets.

Both the Essex Wildlife Trust, Natural England and Essex Badger Protection Group objected to the proposals in the planning stages, with the wildlife trust stating the development would have a “long-term detrimental impact on the development site and surrounding area’s biodiversity.”

However, the chairman of the badger protection group Frank Last said they were pleased with the developer’s efforts to protect the badgers on site.

Mr Last said: “I understand residents’ worries as it is a lovely site and it is a shame it is going to be built on. But from what I can see the company seems to be taking good care of the badgers, they do not appear to be leaving the sets where they are and doing everything they said they were going to do."

The development is expected to be completed within the next two to three years.