What will happen to the Skylarks? Plan unveiled for big new housing development on Waltham farmland

The proposed development would be accessed via Coral Drive

                                

A BIG new housing development could be on the cards for the outskirts of Waltham.

A plan has been unveiled  for as many as 150 new homes on agricultural land off  Coral Drive east of Bradley Road.

The proposal has been submitted by the Dieter Nelson planning consultancy on behalf of Mr R. Douglas.

Because it is an outline application, there are no details yet about the kind of dwellings that might be built but it is understood it would be a mixed development.

When an ecological survey was carried out in February this year, the bird species identified included Long-tailed Tit, Redwing, Starling,  House Sparrow,  Chaffinch, Woodpigeon, Blackbird,  Dunnock,  Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Great Tit, Robin and Skylark.

This variety would be greatly extended if a survey were to be carried out between May and July when there would be summer migrants such as Swallows, plus Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and other warbler species.

                                          

Skylark - bird that favours farmland

According to the surveyor, "the arable, woodland, hedgerow and ditch habitats provide opportunities for foraging, cover and nesting".

If the bid is to be approved, she has suggested a condition that Swiftbricks and nestboxes should be installed on some of the properties.