A POPULAR nature reserve in Wirral is under threat after nearby land was put up for sale for housing.

The land, which surrounds Ditton Lane Nature Reserve in Leasowe, is being advertised as a residential building plot by Liverpool-based company Matthews & Goodman.

Campaigners say development would threaten wildlife living there.

Government changes to planning regulations announced in the Budget last week look certain to make it more difficult for any opposition to to be successful.

Chancellor George Osborne announced all planning bodies must prioritise growth - and that their default answer to development will be "yes".

Previous developments in Ditton Lane have left the gardens of neighboring properties waterlogged, because of water displacement from new buildings.

Conservative councillor for Leasowe, Ian Lewis, told the Globe: "This land is a really important part of the local environment, next to the Ditton Nature Reserve and we can't afford to lose it.

"Potential buyers also need to be aware that the land is bang in the middle of an area of high flood risk. As a local councillor, I will do all I can to stop any building on this land."

The site is identified as being within a Regeneration Priority Area where new housing is acceptable in principle.

Irene Joy, 70, whose bungalow backs onto the land, said: "It's a flood risk. When I found out that land is being sold I was devastated."

The retired administration officer, who has lived in the property for nine years, continued: "There's been no interest at the moment, but we are going to hold a campaign to nip it in the bud.

"Birdwatchers use it too. It's causing unnecessary stress to everybody. If they're refused planning permission, what's been the point? If the land does go, I will move."

A spokesman for Matthews & Goodman said it has already received expressions of interest from several house-building companies for purchase of the land.

Wirral Council confirmed it is aware the land is for sale, adding that if it was bought, the developer would have to apply for planning permission before any building work could take place.