COUNCILLORS are battling against plans to carry out tree surgery in a Quemerford wood because they believe it could be detrimental to wildlife.

A planning application for the work at Lower Quemerford Mill was considered by Calne Town Council's development control committee last week, but it does not give any detail.

Coun John Ireland said: "We were concerned that this could mean as much or as little as the owner wanted."

He said another concern was that there could be massive surgery to the trees to make way for development of the site. There have been planning applications in the past to develop the site.

He said: "It is my belief that this area is teeming with protected wildlife which must be preserved at all costs."

He said the work could be a threat to the many varieties of bats in the area as well as newts, water voles, owls and woodpeckers. "It is my concern that no proper survey has been carried out into the ecological impact that any work in this area may cause." He has asked North Wiltshire District Council to look into the possible impact.