THE firm charged with protecting wildlife on the edge of a Warminster industrial estate has denied its work is damaging the environment.

Chalkhill Environmental Consultants is working with Prospect Land, which plans to expand Crusader Park on the west side of the town.

Chalkhill, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's ecology consultancy wing, is trying to ensure wildlife is not disturbed by the work.

The firm says it is being very careful to protect the wildlife on the marshland off Furnax Lane, but many local residents claim the animals are being 'brutally evicted' from their homes. They say the area contains water voles, newts and greater crested newts, but no visible attempt has been made to safeguard or relocate them.

Residents in Furnax Lane and Bath Road have issued a joint letter condemning the marshland clearance, which they claim they were not warned about.

In it they say: "This clandestine destruction of the natural habitat of the protective species must be brought to an immediate halt. Serious consideration must be given as to the suitability of the land for this type of development.

"It is clear the developer's intent was to destroy any cause for local concerns and answer questions later. This type of action, without considering the views of local residents or its environmental impact, is clearly unacceptable.

"We have not even had the opportunity to view the developer's plans or discuss their intentions, despite assurances from the council."

Nic Illic, of Furnax Lane, said: "We are concerned about how close these buildings are going to be to our houses. We also want to be assured that the drainage is going to be good enough."

But Chalkhill's Colin Menendez said the firm was creating three more pools for the water voles and sought to reassure residents about the work.

He said: "The planning permission for the site is such that the habitat is being protected. The marsh area outside the park is not being built upon.

"We were chosen from two bids in the planning process and both the Environment Agency and English Nature have commended our efforts to look after the water voles."

On Tuesday residents met with Warminster councillor John Syme to discuss concerns over the work.

Cllr Syme said: "My job was to make sure that the fears of residents were put to bed and also to assure them that everything is being done in the right way."