DEVELOPERS who were refused permission to build on a wildlife haven have been accused of destroying the very reason the site was saved.

Campaigners say the lodge off Newington Drive in the Elton area of Bury is being drained and trees chopped down so that the area's ecology is destroyed. But the company, Stately Developments, describes the work as "essential maintenance".

Last month Bury Council refused Stately Developments planning permission for a 16-house estate on the land on ecological grounds, but Stately vowed to appeal.

This week workmen moved onto the site, and residents fear the area, and the wildlife that lives there, is now doomed.

Resident Mr Michael Wellock said: "They are destroying the habitat so they can get planning permission. That is the only explanation for the work."

Mr Wellock and other residents said the level of the water had fallen "at least four feet" in the few days since work started at the lodge, and several large trees - home to roosting birds and bats - have been chopped down.

He and other residents are now trying to get the work stopped, but cannot find anyone to help them. Council officers and even police officers have been to the site, and residents have called on the Environment Agency and Department of Environment to no avail.

Another resident, Joyce Fowler, has lived in nearby Greenhill Road for more than 30 years. She said the work on the lodge amounted to "absolute desecration".

Stately Developments issued a statement yesterday which said the work was essential maintenance of the site.

The work includes lowering the level of the water and removing the sluice mechanism at the end of the lodge, which Stately said had been vandalised.

Several trees also have to be removed and a platform built on the bank of the lodge for safety reasons.

The firm said they took the action immediately considering the "time delay involved in planning approval".

Colette Burke, sales manager, refused to comment further on the residents' claims.

Mr Jim Metcalf, borough planning officer, said council officials had visited the site but had not been able to stop the work on planning grounds.

"Unlike listed buildings there is no legal protection for ecologically important sites unless they are nationally recognised," he explained. "Unfortunately there is nothing to stop an owner draining a lodge or clearing vegetation."

The council are, however, trying to get emergency tree protection orders on four trees on the site.

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