Skylark threat fears on 700-home scheme

An endangered bird species could disappear from its local habitat if a 700-home development in Staffordshire is given the go-ahead, it was claimed today.

Skylark habitats in Hednesford will be threatened by the sprawling Pye Green Valley scheme, including a new school, shops and road, experts believe. Councillor

Graham Burnett wants to establish a Friends of Pye Green Valley group. Residents have taken to Facebook encouraging people to oppose the proposals for Pye Green, near Hednesford.

The scheme is planned for an area of land referred to locally as The Skelly. Campaigners believe it will destroy wildlife, devalue property and increase pollution.

Councillor Burnett says he has spoken to Chris Evans, a landscape architect at Staffordshire County Council, who warned him that skylarks might not return if the work goes ahead. He said: "I have to say I was deeply saddened by the response. These beautiful songsters apparently are not set to ever again be a permanent resident on The Skelly.

"We will have created the perfect hunting perches with street lamps for their predators and when the people come to the new houses along with them will come their cats. The skylarks' fate seems to have been sealed.

"Surely something can be done before we submit to this seemingly inevitable loss."

The skylark is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and the bird has seen a decline over the last 30 years.

Councillor Burnett added: "The dramatic skylark population decline also now makes it a Red List species."

St Modwen wants to build on an area the size of 95 football pitches, with more than half earmarked as parks and allotments.