Environmental campaigners say plans for a new country home could have a serious effect on the wildlife around it.

Plans for the home on land near to Oaklands Park Park Lane in Tolleshunt Knights have been submitted.

The report from Natural England found the plans would have a detrimental effect on its surrounding habitats.

It added “without mitigation” the plan could have a severe impact and further investigation is needed into the plans.

A previous application for the site was refused by Maldon District Council in March this year.

The new application has seen it reduced in size.

But residents continue to object to the plans on grounds of its affect on surrounding habitats, traffic and a greater need for affordable homes.

The Essex Wildlife Trust also objected to the plans, saying it would lead to the “destruction of rare and declining habitats.”

Maldon District Council will have the final say on the proposals by the end of this month.