Wildlife champion: Housing development would cut off wildlife corridor in Leatherhead

Wildlife Aid Foundation (WAF) founder Simon Cowell has added his voice to opposition from countryside campaigners who are fighting plans for a massive housing development by the Leatherhead Bypass.

Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) revealed on Friday that Barratt Homes is the preferred developer for the 9.5-acre Barnett Wood Lane Allotment site which it owns, plus the 22.7-acre adjacent site owned by Merton College, Oxford.

Mr Cowell, who presents TV series Wildlife SOS, said it is not right to let housebuilders concrete over every field they can get their hands on.

He said: "We've had to put up with too much building already and it is vital that we protect the little patches of countryside that we've got left.

"There are few enough green spaces in the northern part of Mole Valley and it looks like the council and developers are happy to extinguish even these precious few."

The Campaign to Protect Rural England's Surrey branch hopes that together with local action groups enough opposition could be mounted to make the council think again.

Mr Cowell said: "The fields either side of Barnett Wood Lane are essential 'wildlife corridors' providing a vital habitat for wild animals and birds.

"Each of these fields, including the Leatherhead allotments, supports a huge and diverse range of wildlife.

"We understand from the allotment-holders that there is even a badger set on this site, and the presence of badgers should be enough to stop the development in its tracks.

"Why aren't MVDC considering the environmental impact of what they are proposing? Building on these fields will do untold damage to the natural ecology of the Leatherhead area.

"It is sad to see councillors voting to concrete over yet more of our vital countryside."

The council would receive £21m if the deal goes ahead and Barratt Homes would pay £550,000 to help relocate the allotments.