HOUSEBUILDERS have re-submitted controversial plans to build on a Bury wildlife haven.

The move comes less than six months after the firm pulled out of a public inquiry into whether 16 homes could be built on and around Barracks Lodge.

Bolton-based Stately Developments has handed in identical proposals as they seek permission to forge ahead with the development.

However, Stately's re-submission move has come as no surprise to objectors to the scheme, which involves knocking down two homes on Newington Drive to create an access road to the lodge site. The original planning application was rejected last year by Bury's planning chiefs on ecological issues.

Since then, Stately has carried out "essential maintenance" works on the lodge. The water level has been drastically reduced and trees and bushes, once home to a variety of wildlife, have been cleared.

Local councillors and residents have accused Stately of systematically destroying the very reasons for which the development proposals were rejected.

A leading campaigner and ecologist, Mr Mick Wellock, told the Bury Times: "This re-submission of the same scheme is certainly not unexpected. We knew this would happen.

"Stately has tried to destroy a thriving wildlife haven and the reason why its first attempt to gain planning permission failed. However, Bury Council has proved the site is still well used by a variety of wildlife species. This can only prove to be our major weapon in the forthcoming fight to protect the lodge."

A recent survey by town hall ecologists discovered 13 Great Crested newts, a protected species, living in the lodge, together with more than 700 smooth newts and 400 frogs and toads.

A spokesman for Stately was unavailable for comment.