A VITAL bird nesting site could be lost at Oxted Sandpit.
A plan to infill the site in Barrow Green Road has been lodged with Surrey County Council by landowners Killoughery Waste Management.
But Brian Thomas, from East Surrey RSPB, said: "If this is granted consent, a very rare local breeding sand martins colony will be lost.
"It would not be difficult to negotiate an agreement whereby the sand cliff is not destroyed and a reasonable area to the north is preserved, since this has provided much needed local bio-diversity, attracting waders and breeding lapwings.
Mr Thomas said development, land drainage and intensive agricultural practices had diminished suitable nesting habitats.
He hopes the council will compile an environmental impact assessment before taking the issue any further.
The plan is expected to be discussed by the county council's planning and regulatory committee at its January 7 meeting.
