RESIDENTS have said they prefer living in a “dark village” after plans for more lights were announced.

Campaigners launched a petition against approved plans for a 75-home development in North Fambridge.

The group is objecting to a proposed six-metre lamp-post lighting scheme that will “severely affect wildlife”.

The site in Fambridge Road, set to be built next to an Essex Wildlife Trust nature reserve, was approved earlier this year.

Campaigner Jennifer Squire said: “Because we are a dark village and because we have a nature reserve, I’ve started up a petition.

“We have a lot of bats in the village – they’re nocturnal so it would upset and disrupt their hunting and eating.

“It could also disrupt foraging birds, barn owls, and migrating birds which could be put off going on their migratory routes which can lead to premature deaths.

“Blackbirds will end up singing all the way through the night and mammals that also travel through the night will be unable to do so safely.

“Quite a lot of wildlife could be affected, but it can be disruptive to people too. Light pollution affects us as well. It’s quite a pertinent issue.”

Jennifer claims the newly-built Mayfields estate uses ankle lighting that emits minimal light pollution, which she suggests could be used as an alternative.

Resident Robert Wakefield said: “We have an abundance of wildlife that will be severely affected by the installation of this lighting.

“Light pollution is a key threat to our wildlife as it affects foraging, reproduction and communication amongst wildlife.”

In 2016, North Fambridge Parish council expressed concerns to the Planning Inspector about building in the village.

Another resident who objected to the development said: “North Fambridge has no street lighting whatsoever and none of the residents want street lighting.

“The high-level street lighting proposed is completely out of character to the rest of the village and will have a detrimental effect on local residents and wildlife.”

Debbie Anderson, who also objected, said: “Many of the villagers are concerned there should not be any overhead lighting on this development.

“This is particularly given its proximity to open fields and the possible effect on wildlife as well as its village setting.”

Overall there were 43 objections and no comments of support on the application.

To find out more, visit bit.ly/NorthFambridge.