A CLAIM that a spate of deer sightings in residential areas in Warrington is due to a boom in housebuilding has been addressed.

It comes after a number of deer sightings were reported within days in Great Sankey in April, with residents able to snap them with cameras.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust commented on the increase in sightings by stating it is ‘great that people in Warrington are able to enjoy one of our native mammals so close to home’.

"Despite the positive increase in our deer populations, the UK is statistically one of the most nature depleted countries in the world – a staggering 41 per cent of our wild plants and animal species are reducing, a spokesman said.

"Sightings like this however shows that there is a huge resilience in nature to restore itself, which gives a lot of hope.

"Cheshire Wildlife Trust are fighting for a future where wildlife thrives across the landscape – where our urban spaces like Warrington are green jungles and where nature is a normal part of childhood."

The Warrington Guardian also received a letter from a reader on how sad it was to see wild animals in urban areas.

“How sad was it to see wild deer roaming housing estates and crossing busy roads and carriageways in Penketh and Sankey,” they commented.

“It is clear their habitat is being rapidly eroded due to the massive rise in new build housing estates and industrial units in the area, pushing these beautiful animals from the safe haven they have been accustomed to.

“The council and planning really need to think what they are doing to our environment.”

In response, a Warrington Borough Council spokesman said: “We understand the importance of protecting our wildlife, and concerns over the potential impact of new development.

“We are aware that deer populations are increasing within the region, and ongoing open-space and planting initiatives can bring them closer to urban populations, resulting in increased sightings in urban and sub-urban areas.

“The sighting of deer within these areas is not necessarily due to the erosion of their habitat, but can be caused by a range of factors.

“It is important to note that minimising the impact of development on ecology is a central part of the planning process.”

They add that planning applications are assessed in terms of their environmental impacts, which consider the natural environment and the wildlife that are present.

In addition, developers must adhere to strict, new biodiversity net gain regulations, which state that in most instances habitats for wildlife are left in a measurably better state than they were before the development, the council said.

“Although deer are not specially protected in law, in places where deer are suspected to be present on, or close to, development sites, the council ensures that their welfare is protected wherever possible,” the spokesman added.

“Care is taken during site clearance works not to fence in deer or block movement corridors which they may use.

“We also encourage new tree planting and habitat compensation as part of new developments.”