MORE THAN 700 residents have signed a petition to oppose plans of a nature reserve as compensation for disruption to a valuable wildlife area.

Hutchison Ports is looking to construct a seawall and wave breaks as well as realign the coastal flood defences south east of Foulton Hall, in Harwich Road, in Little Oakley.

If successful, this could be an environmental site to support water bird populations impacted by the loss of intertidal habitats at Bathside Bay.

But the plans have met with a backlash from some locals after more than 60 residents from Little Oakley and surrounding areas marched down the Essex Way to Irlams Beach to protest earlier this month.

Now a petition has been launched which will be presented to Tendring Council next Wednesday in the hope to overturn the application.

Little Oakley Parish Council has also objected to the plans on a number of grounds, all of which are key to the petition.

One of the biggest concerns is that the proposal will result in loss of public access to Irlams beach from Little Oakley together with the footpath which offers "unspoilt views of Hamford Water and the countryside".

Frustration is also building up about the wildlife aspect, after a report concluded the impact on seals during the construction phase is likely to be "moderate adverse".

The parish council's objection reads: "This population has grown steadily over recent years and is now estimated to be in excess of 500.

"The seals have also become a popular tourist attraction with regular boat trips taking visitors to view them from a safe distance.

"Any loss of the seal population would therefore not only impact on the seals themselves but also on the local economy."

Megan Day, of Doverocurt, said: "Growing up in this area has given me a life of appreciation towards the beautiful scenes little Oakley has to offer.

"The idea of destroying land from the wildlife already there isn't the way to go about this."

Claire Macey, also from Dovercourt, added:"The destruction of an established,thriving,wildlife habitat in the hope that in years to come it will come to replace that lost in Harwich is a ridiculous compromise."

The petition can be found on littleoakleypc.org.uk or by going to change.org and searching “Irlams”.