A WILDLIFE battle has erupted over plans to expand one of Burnley’s biggest employers, overshadowing the prospect of 1,000 new jobs.

Birds, bats and invertebrates could be at risk if Boohoo was allowed to build a new distribution centre, creating the new positions, eco-campaigners said.

They have lodged objections to the fashion retailer’s £7million plans to erect the major extension at its Widow Hill Road factory, which is already said to employ 1,642 people.

Burnley Civic Trust claims the building already overshadows gardens in Heasandford, and said it was worried about the ‘enormity’ of the latest arrival, which would be nearly 70ft tall and is 163,000 sqft.

Environmental experts acting for the Manchester-based clothing giant have defended the scheme, insisting there are no roosting spot for bats on site and any effect on foraging birds can be mitigated.

Council bosses have also suggested that the company could offset any losses by funding a 2.6 hectare extension to the nearby Brun Valley Forest Park, and the upgrading of connecting pathways and cycle routes.

The company will also be asked to provide employee buses, amid ongoing concerns over the number of taxis and cars causing congestion on Widow Hill Road.

Officials from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust have highlighted that the proposed site has twice been singled out for its ecological value. “The site was identified as being of high wildlife value in the 1990 Burnley Wildlife Survey and was one of only a few such sites that were fully urban in nature”, said a spokesman.

This was confirmed by a similar exercise by Goulder Associates in 2007, planners were told.

A Burnley Wildlife Conservation Forum spokesman said: “Following the construction of phase one the applicant did not undertake any onsite wildlife habitat mitigation measures on the remaining plot of land.

“But instead (they) removed the whole of its valuable marshy grassland, tree, scrub and habitats in two stages, the last having been only undertaken recently prior to the submission of the application.

“The phase two development will take up the whole site and therefore there are only narrow landscaping features that will surround the building.”

A Burnley Civic Trust spokesman said: “We are concerned by the enormity of this proposed building.

“We understand it casts a shadow over the gardens of nearby residential properties.

“We realise that this is an industrial park and the number of jobs which will be created are important but we would ask the council to take steps to tone down the adverse effects.”

Tosha Allen, environmental agent for Boohoo, said in a report: “It is recommended the new landscaping plan for the site should include native nectar and berry bearing species to enhance foraging opportunities for the local bird community.

“Shrub and wildflower planting could be used to create a buffer strip along-site the boundary.

“Other potential enhancement measures include the provision of wildlife refuge features.”

Council planning officials have recommended the plans are approved, on the basis of the Brun Valley compensation scheme.

Councillors will decide the plans on Thursday.