A wildlife charity is ‘horrified’ by a review of greenbelt land which it fears could stop wild animals moving between areas and breeding.

Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) in Leatherhead has warned against destroying vital open land on greenbelt boundaries in order to build more houses.

The green corridors between Leatherhead and Ashtead as well as Leatherhead and Fetcham fall under the review being carried out by Mole Valley Council.

WAF founder Simon Cowell said all sorts of wild animals including badgers, foxes, roe deer and even increasingly rare hedgehogs use the gaps to travel and find mates.

Mr Cowell said: "The areas of countryside they are considering removing from the greenbelt it is obvious that these are among the most precious green spaces which provide vital 'wildlife corridors' between the urban areas.

"It would be disastrous for the environment if these areas were lost to development."

The warning comes after the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England’s Surrey branch (CPRE) stepped up activities to defend the greenbelt and launched Save Surrey's Countryside campaign.

Branch director Andy Smith said: "It is vital that CPRE takes a stand in defence of the greenbelt and Mole Valley's precious green spaces.

"Sometimes we are on the same side as the council but increasingly we find ourselves at odds with them because they are not sticking to their own commitments."

The council said the review stemmed from the fact more land is need to build 2,200 new homes by 2026.

Councillor John Northcott, portfolio holder for planning, said there were not enough potential sites in the built-up areas for development to meet housing needs.

He said: "We are also of course mindful of the impact future development can have on wildlife and this will be one of the many considerations that we will have to take into account when suggesting sites for development."

The newly formed Ashtead Neighbourhood Forum is preparing to carry out a review of the greenbelt land surrounding Ashtead including areas between it and Leatherhead.

Andy Ellis, founder of its working group Ashtead Community Vision, said more houses must be built in the area but a review had to be carried out before jumping to any conclusions as to where.

Mr Ellis said: "We have got to consider all aspects of the impact on the greenbelt and use of it.

"There will be people who say don’t put it here or nowhere on the greenbelt and that might be the case in the end."

The Mole Valley Council consultation lasts until March 28. Take part at www.molevalley.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=14406