People living near the area in Hawth Valley say its several acres of land and a deep pond are a vital breeding area for protected species.

But planner Alan Edgar, who speaks for the land owner and developer John Rigden, said the response from local residents was 'a typical NIMBY reaction'.

'My client has cleared the site but he has done it in a very responsible and ecologically concerned way. He has done nothing illegal.'

He said slow-worms and even rats had been caught properly and moved.
Mr Edgar said he would be drawing up plans for 16 houses – to include some affordable homes – and an ecology park would be proposed at the bottom of the site.

The Dip is connected by a tunnel under the railway line to the Old Brickfield site of nature conservation interest. This area is also a haven for protected species, including hedgehogs, slow-worms, grass snakes, lizards and toads, which use the tunnel to reach the pond in The Dip.

Campaigners say any loss of species here would therefore affect wildlife in the Brickfield conservation area. Stephen Plastow, a resident who is leading the campaign, said two previous planning applications for The Dip were turned down following objections concerning the wildlife and conservation value of the land.

'If left to recover, however, the land would very soon return to its full wildlife and conservation potential, and the protected species so recently evicted would return,' he said.

'It is likely that the developer will apply for planning permission to build flats, houses, garages and an access road on the slope above the pond. At this stage, we are urging people to express their concern.

'Construction work and other human activity on The Dip will permanently destroy wildlife and drive away shy protected species,' said Mr Plastow.

Defenders of The Dip are calling for everyone concerned to make full use of the Seaford councillors' surgeries held at Hurdis House, Broad Street, every third Saturday of the month between 9.30 and11.30am. No planning application has yet been submitted.

For further information contact Stephen Plastow on 01825 744592 (day) or 01323 895390 (evening). E-mail stephen.plastow@serco.com