Colchester residents and environmental campaigners are calling on the council to save a vital habitat for rare nightingales.
New evidence from nature surveys at the Middlewick Ranges recently showed it is home to one of the largest nightingale populations in the country.
But the site is earmarked for 1,000 homes, despite being an important wildlife habitat.
Concerned residents and a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds expert voiced their concerns to Colchester Council's planning committee members at a meeting this week.
Resident Richard Martin said: “Seventeen of the county's top naturalists and practically all conservation organisations have said that the impact on habitats and wildlife like acid grass, vertebrates and nightingales cannot be mitigated or compensated.
Site - Middlewick Ranges in Colchester
“They say very clearly that no planning conditions on earth can repair this damage and no 10 per cent biodiversity net gain can realistically be achieved on or off site. “
Mr Martin said the site “should be a source of celebration and pride for Colchester - instead it is the most threatened site for this red listed species in the country”.
Councillor Dave Harris asked for an assurance the new evidence of nightingales in the area would be considered, which a planning policy officer gave.
Joseph Beale, RSPB conservation officer for Essex and Kent, expressed the society’s concerns about the nightingales' habitat.
He said: “It is a rare opportunity to pause and work with the MOD to save this remarkable place.”
He said Colchester is home to one of the biggest nightingale populations in the UK and the habitat loss would impact the already large decrease of 48 per cent between 1995 and 2020 across the country.
Council planning officer Sandra Scott said the Local Plan review was looking at evidence for the whole area and opportunities to take into account all up-to-date evidence.
“That is happening now and there's a procedure to go through and considerations in relation to Middlewick will form part of it," she said.
“It is understood the relative significance of this data in relation to that species.”
Lead officer Karen Syrett said the Middlewick Ranges had also been put forward for alternative use, such as open space.
Residents will be able to have their say during the consultations later this year.
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