21 May 2026
Frogmore residents are fighting to prevent the destruction of a long-established breeding habitat for skylarks, a red-listed species of significant conservation concern in the UK, which could be lost as part of the strategic rail freight development.
They want to save a bund – an artificial embankment on the site of the former Radlett Aerodrome – that has remained undisturbed for over 75 years and has become a reliable and established nesting ground for these birds.
Despite this, ecological surveys commissioned by the rail freight developers SEGRO have recommended its removal to enable the construction of a road. Neighbours fear this action would knowingly destroy the birds’ active breeding habitat and risk the death of skylarks during nesting season.
Skylarks are a protected species due to their steep decline. They arre covered by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the EC Birds Directive and are a listed Priority Species under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006.
Local resident Simon Deacon explained: “Serious concerns have been raised about the transparency and credibility of these ecological surveys. Requests from residents to review the ecological reports have gone unanswered, and even the site manager has been unable to clarify how the surveys were conducted.
“We have also sought guidance from the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), who have advised that such habitats should not be disturbed or approached, particularly during breeding periods.
“The bund also supports migrant swallows and swifts, with hunting grounds for food for them and their chicks, which are also protected by the Acts and in decline. If an ecological survey was done then they massively overlooked this and this points to it not being done properly in regards to digging it up for a road and then moving the bund back towards residents after said road is built. Why can’t they just move the road further away?”
Neighbour Susie Taylor said: “Why remove the bund at all? Previous owners kept it because of its importance as a wildlife habitat and protection for the residents. It’s obvious the width of the land is too narrow to fit everything in that SEGRO want to build and hence why it’s up to residents’ property boundaries.
“There is less than 50 metres from our property boundaries to the bund, and according to the protected species legislation construction works have to be kept 50 metres away. How can the skylarks be protected while simultaneously removing their nesting site? Residents can hear the skylarks singing all along the 1600m long bund.”
Residents are also worried about the excavation of toxic materials from ancient landfill on the bund releasing dust and fumes into the air as pollution.
A spokesperson for SEGRO said they recognised the ecological valye of the bund and responded to residents’ concerns: “As part of the next phase of works, a section of an existing bund will need to be removed to enable the underlying landfill materials to be excavated and safely treated, recycled or removed. The bund removal is expected to begin this week, subject to completion of ecological surveys and the relevant approvals.
“We are legally required to comply with the Wildlife and Countryside Act and all associated guidance, and this is something we take seriously at all of our developments. Ecological surveys are being carried out by qualified specialists, including specific checks for ground‑nesting birds such as skylarks. Where active nests are identified, appropriate buffer zones are put in place and works do not proceed within those zones. The bund has been retained for as long as possible because of its ecological value and the screening it provides for local residents. We recognise the concerns raised about potential impacts from the works. The removal of landfill materials will be carried out by experienced teams following established processes and controls.
“We have delivered similar and more complex remediation projects elsewhere in the UK. Our contractors approach ensures the work is undertaken safely, both for neighbouring communities and for those carrying it out.
“We are confident that this phase of works is being delivered in line with the relevant legal requirements and environmental guidance and will continue engage with the statutory authorities who have oversight of the scheme delivery as required.
“We will continue to keep residents updated as the programme progresses.”
