A NEW industrial estate creating 50 jobs has been given the go-ahead – but steps must be taken to protect wildlife on the site.

Created Ambition One Ltd has been granted permission to build seven industrial units and officers, plus car parking, on a piece of woodland at Waterfront Walk, Basildon.

Concerns had been raised about the amount of wildlife on the site being disturbed by the development.

Some of the trees on the site are thought to be 20 years old and they are home to a number of birds, bats and reptiles.

However, councillors have put a number of conditions on the development to help protect the wildlife.

These include reptile protection measures, relocation of any roosting bats and the installation of bird boxes.

Most of the trees would remain, with some cut down to make way for the new development.

Andrew Gordon, Labour councillor for Lee Chapel North and member of the planning committee, said after the meeting: “This site is repeatedly targeted by flytipping and people dumping rubbish, so it is a really difficult site to do much with.

“My main concern is moving the wildlife at the site and there have been conditions drawn up to ensure this is done correctly.

“I don’t think there is any controversy over the plans and site.”

He told the meeting: “I think it’s fantastic this application will bring jobs to Basildon. I think the conditions adequately mitigate the impact on the wildlife.

“The improvements to the junction over at Festival Way, I think, will make quite a significant difference.

“That junction is quite treacherous at the moment because it’s quite overgrown.”

Tory councillor Craig Rimmer told the meeting: “It does look like every effort is actually being made in respect of the trees and the wildlife.

“It’s not the prettiest of buildings, but it’s utility and it will bring jobs to the area, so I’m minded to support this.”

The site is described as densely covered in trees, which have been growing for more than 20 years.

The Echo tried to contact the developer for comment.