Wildlife is under threat on a site near Kidlington where developers want to build an eco-town, a trust has warned.

The company behind proposals to build about 5,000 homes in a self-sustained community at Shipton Quarry is still waiting to learn whether it has made it on to a Government shortlist of preferred sites for new eco-towns.

But the developer has already upset the local wildlife trust, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), with its short-term plans for the site.

It wants to use the site for storing cars, depots and industrial units before houses are built.

County council officers recommended that the developer's 'hybrid application', including plans for a rail link for mineral extraction, should be rejected.

But it was given the go-ahead by councillors on the county's planning committee.

Matt Jackson, of BBOWT, said: "If allowed, this development at Shipton-on-Cherwell Quarry will result in the loss of one of the most important wildlife sites in the county.

"We are appalled at the recent decision by the county council to approve these development proposals, especially as the decision goes against the recommendations of the authority's own officers.

"It will result in the loss of local wildlife."

A report from the council's head of sustainable development, Chris Cousins, warned that the proposal was contrary to county council policy because "material damage would be caused to the county wildlife site".

The report said that, with the exception of mineral working, the various components were "inappropriate development in the green belt" and contrary to "bio-diversity interest on site, which would be significantly harmed".

BBOWT said it has now written to the Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, asking her to call in the application for further scrutiny on the grounds that the committee decision was contrary to planning policy.

It said the site is used by breeding peregrines, wintering wild fowl and is a "regionally significant" site for slow worms.

Mr Jackson, the trust's head of policy and planning, warned the developer, Kilbride Properties, that if its eco town bid were successful, wildlife would be a key issue.

He said "We cannot see 5,000 houses being built without devastating the existing ecological interests."

A spokesman for Kilbride Properties said: "This application was in preparation last summer before the Government invited bids for eco towns, and we joined that. They are distinct and separate projects. We will have to wait and see what happens.

"This consent actually safeguards wildlife on the site for the first time in its history."

It is understood that the Government will be unveiling a shortlist of preferred eco development proposals in England in the next few weeks.

Kilbride Properties hopes to transform the former cement works between Woodstock and Bicester into a thriving community.

Its scheme would include a new rail station, park-and-ride site, schools, shops, a marina and a nature reserve.

More than 50 proposals have been submitted to the Government and up to five eco towns are expected to be built by 2016.