A £1.2million estate will be built despite objections from nearby residents and wildlife campaigners.

Castle Point Council gave the go-ahead for the 19-home project at the site of the old Chase Nurseries, The Chase, Thundersley.

SJT Development Limited’s proposals include three, three bedroom homes, 12 four bedroom homes and four five bedroom homes.

Angry residents made their feelings known with 23 objecting to the plans.

The Essex Badger Protection Group also raised concerns about forcing wildlife and families to live side by side.

A letter stated: “The more development and destruction of green sites there is around this area, it is inevitable there will yet more upheaval and possible destruction of neighbouring properties land and gardens.

“Although we would certainly not support an application of this nature in this area, we would like to stress that even if there were not setts on the site when the original report was carried out, due to the transient nature of badgers, it is essential that a further full survey be completed prior to any work being carried out.”

Residents raised concerns over noise and disturbance, overdevelopment of the site - and the impact on wildlife.

The developer’s planning statement reads: “The preliminary ecological appraisal concluded that the proposal is not likely to have any adverse impact upon statutory designated locations.

“No evidence of protected species were found, bats, badgers, reptiles or newts, albeit that the site could be used for bat foraging given the tree cover.

“It concluded that the proposal could proceed without adverse impact on legally protected priority species, subject to mitigatory guidance and enhancement recommendations.

“The proposal for 19 houses with landscaping would be sustainable in its design, location and transport impacts.

“The proposed application would make a modest contribution to Castle Point’s housing target, provide family-size units and enhance the surrounding area.”

The site is allocated for Green Belt purposes in the council’s adopted Local Plan, which aims to create almost 4,000 homes over the next 15 years.