OUTRAGED campaigners have hit out at developers after soil and vegetation was removed from a wildlife site in Bicester, despite plans for a 64-bed care home being refused.

A three-day clearance earlier this month saw the area stripped near Skimmingdish Lane, leading campaigners to claim the space has been 'destroyed'.

Lizards were removed from the site before the work was undertaken, despite plans from applicants LNT Care Developments being turned down by councillors just days before.

But wildlife campaigners have said the lizards were removed too soon and the green space has been ruined.

Campaigner, Pam Roberts, said: "The land was wrecked by the developer during a three-day clearance with a digger and we believe this was the final action of a process called a 'destructive search' and translocation for the resident and breeding lizard population."

Campaigners have argued any chances of a thorough wildlife survey being carried out to ensure any future development would not be detrimental to wildlife has been ruined.

Mrs Roberts added: "The developers' conduct in jumping the gun with translocation [of lizards] before planning permission was obtained, and in particular the lack of certainty over whether the open space will be able to maintain the translocated reptiles, provides ample grounds for refusal to ensure the conservation status of Species of Principal Importance is maintained."

But applicant LNT Care Developments defended its actions following planning refusal from Cherwell District Council.

It said the site has no wildlife designation or protected status and their own ecology surveys found the site to be 'of little ecological value'.

The developer has also appealed the council decision about the care home on October 26, arguing that 'no substantive and justifiable reasons’ were given for refusal.

Spokeswoman, Emily Collard, said: "LNT Care Developments has, in fact, made proposals to enhance the ecological, wildlife and public value of the land and creating an important area of public open space.

"The relocation was concluded by removing habitat dominated by common nettle with areas of scrub primarily on that part of the site formerly occupied by the sewerage treatment works.

"The new habitat for the lizards within the site is to be retained as part of the proposed natural public open space."

LNT Developments said the relocation of the 'small number of common lizards' was concluded at the end of October to ensure it was ahead of the lizards' annual hibernation and was undertaken by specialist ecologists.

Campaigners remain unconvinced that the clearance and lizard translocation was justified and done at the wrong time of year.

CPRE representative for Bicester, John Broad, added: "Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre (TVERC) have recognised the site as important enough to warrant further study towards registering it as a Local Wildlife Site.

"Bicester has been allocated a Garden Town status, which should not be just a name but include actions to protect the few remaining green sites such as the one under discussion."

Cherwell District Council has agreed to look at the care home plans again on November 23.