CAMPAIGNERS against plans to redevelop Basildon Golf Course have unearthed a “hidden” report which shows it is home to protected species, including badgers.

The Friends of Basildon Golf Course hope the report of an environmental study – which the council previously denied existed – will be an ace card in an ongoing legal battle.

They are challenging council-approved plans to develop a new clubhouse and driving range and reshape the course using thousands of tonnes of building rubble.

Today, campaigners will argue in the Court of Appeal the document, which has just come to light, should be allowed as evidence during their upcoming challenge against Basildon Council’s approval of planning permission to developer Jack Barker Ltd, in September 2007.

The report, carried out for the council in July 2006, showed the green belt course was an ideal habitat for bats, several species of nesting birds, reptiles and badgers.

It found the course included a large badger sett and, most significantly, large areas of the course provided habitat for large colonies of protected great-crested newts.

Mick Toomer, chairman of Friends of Basildon Golf Course, said: “The council spent thousands of pounds of tax payers’ money on a 40-page ecological assessment, and when it looked like derailing their scheme, buried it. Then they denied its existence.”

The High Court threw out the group’s case early this year, but it was granted an appeal in connection with environmental studies.

Campaigners will today argue the High Court did not take the survey into account when it first threw out their case, so it should be allowed as evidence as part of their appeal.

In a witness statement to the court, John Toplis, of the group, states: “Since lodging the application for permission to appeal, new relevant information has come to light, which would have been likely to make a material difference to the findings.”

Gary Edwards, head of leisure services at Basildon Council, said: “The council is aware of the report released in 2006, but feels it would be inapropriate to comment while there is ongoing legal action.”

l A COUNCILLOR said a senior officer told him not to attend a meeting with a resident about the golf course plans.

Luke Mackenzie, Tory councillor for Vange, agreed to meet John Toplis, from the Leys, Basildon, to hear his concerns about the redevelopment.

However, Mr Mackenzie cancelled the day before, saying Doug Smith, council monitoring officer, had told him he should not go, due to the ongoing legal case. In an e-mail to Mr Toplis, Mr Mackenzie added: “He also said that any documents you wish me to see should be sent to him.”

Mr Smith said: “The advice given to councillor Mackenzie was that it would be inappropriate to attend this meeting while a judicial review was ongoing.”