A NATURE strategy will be created to protect animals and plants on a vast new housing estate where permission was given for another 100 homes yesterday.

Councillors agreed to the plans for 100 homes on the south-west corner of Whitworth Park, Spennymoor, on the condition that the local wildlife habitat is preserved.

Housing developer Barratts must now work with conservation groups to draw up a management scheme to ensure a wildlife habitat is created and carefully protected before it can start building.

Members of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee heard that conservation groups had fears over the impact that building work could have on existing wildlife.

English Nature and Durham Wildlife Trust both say the western edge of the overall site is valuable because of its ecological diversity.

Durham Badger Group is also concerned that a nearby badger sett would be disturbed.

The area was last year designated as a County Wildlife Site by Durham County Council and borders Burton Beck Woods, which is also rich in flora and fauna.

Councillor Ben Ord, ward member for Spennymoor, said: "Building houses here will damage important habitat.

"I've campaigned successfully to have paths opened around Burdon Beck and Whitworth Hall and they must be protected."

Charlie Walton, director of planning services, said: "No development can take place if they (Barratts and conservation groups) do not reach an agreement to protect wildlife in the nearby woods and preserve the important ecological site."

Conservation measures are likely to include the retention of rough grassland, relocation of rich grassland on existing farmland, improved public access and information boards to create greater awareness of local wildlife with residents.

Yesterday's application was the latest in a series of proposals for the former Whitworth Colliery - which could see about 800 homes built.

But more than eight years after being allocated for housing, no work has started on the site because of a series of debates - including the status of the land, which was initially regarded as brownfield and was later classed as greenfield.

The Government Office North-East assessed the issue and agreed it is suitable for building because it is close to the town centre, and there is a lack of suitable brownfield land to meet local housing needs.