MORE investigations need to be done to save an "oasis of undisturbed wildlife" from destruction says a concerned Worcestershire villager.

Badgers, bats and hedgehogs are just some of the wildlife that people living in Fernhill Heath believe have made their homes on a parcel of land earmarked for development.

The land, which runs alongside Dilmore Lane, was previously the site of a building called Heddon House but residents say, since its demolition 38 years ago, the land has become an unspoilt haven for wildlife.

Now, Wychavon District Council is considering an application for three homes on the land.

However, planners have received objections from local people who say an ecological study did not recognise the breadth of wildlife including woodpeckers, squirrels, foxes and an array of butterflies under threat.

Lynda Wood, of Tappenhall Road, Fernhill Heath, said: "They did the survey in the middle of winter and it was a desk-based study.

"In the spring and summer it's full of activity.

"It's just an oasis of undisturbed wildlife in quite a built-up area.

"It's virtually impassable so it's not been disturbed and after 38 years it's evolved into its own little sanctuary.

Mrs Wood said she was aware of badgers and hedgehogs on the site and had seen bats roosting in a nearby BT tower and a vixen and her cubs in previous years.

A neighbour set up a camera in his garden and captured these pictures of badgers and hedgehogs.

She added: "It just seems a shame. I've got a horrible feeling some of the trees will disappear too."

Mrs Wood said local people were also worried about traffic if another access road was created from the nearby A38.

A spokesman for Wychavon District Council said: “We can confirm the application is still pending while further ecological survey work is carried out.

"We hope this will be submitted to the council within the next four weeks.”

Bob Hollis, parish councillor for North Claines, said: "We support the view of the local residents that live there that there should be further investigations into the wildlife that's on the land."