A FOOTBALL club has defended its bid to build a new ground after nature experts claimed it would harm wildlife.

Heybridge Swifts Football Club wants to build the new ground and facilities at Goldhanger Road.

Its current site on Scraley Road would also be used by Bloor Homes to build 104 new homes.

Last week the Standard revealed the Essex Wildlife Trust had raised concerns about the destruction of habitats if the Goldhanger Road site is developed.

In their objection comment to Maldon District Council they raised concerns about a number of protected species recorded on the site including bats, badgers and snakes.

But a spokesman for the football club and Bloor Homes said the site was of “low ecological value”.

She said: “The site comprises predominantly arable fields and is currently of low ecological value for wildlife with the exception of hedgerows that provide foraging and commuting routes for bats.

“The proposals include the enhancement of existing hedgerows and new planting, using native species, that will lead to an increase in overall foraging quality for bats (and other wildlife) across the site.

“Lighting for the 3G pitch has been designed to reduce the spill on to bat friendly habitats and the proposed grassed football fields will remain unlit all year to protect the foraging and commuting corridors located in this part of the site.”

Patrick Forsyth, of the Goldhanger Road Group, said residents remained concerned about wildlife.

He said: “Not only will this affect many hundreds of people in houses close by, but there would be very real negative effects on wildlife.

“It is not surprising that Essex Wildlife Trust which has a nature reserve bordering the suggested site has lodged an objection stridently castigating the plan and showing how the natural world will be spoiled.

“The site is surrounded by an area of quiet countryside and nature- related pursuits.”