RESIDENTS have been asked to express their views on a proposed strategy to protect bird life around the coastline.

New planning guidance for developers is being drawn up to ensure wildlife is protected from the impact of housing developments.

All 12 local authorities in Essex, including Tendring Council, are working together to introduce the advice to ensure areas of the coastline, recognised as internationally important for bird life, are protected from the indirect impact of house building.

Nick Turner, chairman of the council’s planning policy and local plan committee, encouraged people to take part in the consultation.

He said: “Thousands of birds come to the Tendring coastline to breed and feed and new housing will lead to more people visiting the coast for leisure.

“With an increase in visitor numbers comes the potential to cause more disturbance and research shows this will affect the birds’ survival unless mitigating measures are put in place.

“These measures come at a cost.”

European Law gives special protection to the Stour and Colne estuaries, Hamford Water and other areas of the Essex coast, and councils are duty-bound to ensure both the impact of a new development are assessed.

To comment on the consultation portal go to bit.ly/2t5s4e6, email ecology.placeservices@essex.gov.uk or write to Place Services, Essex County Council, County Hall, Chelmsford.