IF NEW safeguarding measures are pushed through Parliament, developers could have one more problem on their hands – hedgehogs.

A petition was launched on Thursday to force MPs to debate measures to protect the native mammal, whose numbers are in steep decline.

Hugh Warwick, a spokesman for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, who lives in East Oxford, said: “If you get a change in the status of the hedgehog it will be easier to put pressure on developers. We understand there is a need for housing, but we should expect housing to be designed and built hedgehog-friendly.

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“To put pressure on developers when an animal is not quite as well protected is a lot harder.

“Where I live backs on to Florence Park so there is plenty of space for animals to run around in.

“But in city centres and towns where buildings are so close, it is difficult for wildlife to move around.”

The number of hedgehogs in Britain is estimated to have dropped below a million, compared with nearly 30 million in 1950.

Mr Warwick added: “By raising awareness in such a formal way it shows that the hedgehog needs to be paid attention to.

“Developers, in their design of a stretch of houses, could make changes to one plank of wood when fencing the garden.

“All they would need to do is make a hole the size of a CD case which would allow the hedgehog to move from garden to garden.”

Mr Warwick said a population of over 30 hedgehogs would need space of up to three golf courses to roam.

The petition was launched by Oliver Colvile, Conservative MP for Plymouth, who wants hedgehogs protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it illegal to kill or injure a hedgehog or to interfere knowingly with places it uses to shelter.

If he can achieve 100,000 signatures, he hopes a debate in Parliament would push through safeguards for the animal.

To sign, go to https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/121264@#