A wildlife group is pushing for city council planning guidelines to preserve a rare habitat.

An ecological assessment of the grounds of Milham Ford School in Harberton Mead, New Marston, Oxford, will be considered at an Oxford City Council planning committee meeting today (Wed), when draft guidelines determining future development at the school is discussed.

Dr Judith Webb, a biology teacher at the school, carried out the ecological assessment and has spent ten years recording species of plant and insects on the grounds.

She said: "It is a very complex site with many species that are difficult to identify, particularly fungi and invertebrates. The area is entirely dependent on the special water supply it receives from rocks in Headington Hill, which is why any development which blocks off this water supply may well damage it."

Many wild flowers can be found on the site, including four different types of Orchid, because it has been managed as a hay meadow since 1990.

Dr Curt Lamberth, the chairman of the new Marston wildlife group, said the habitat found at Milham Ford School could not be recreated elsewhere.

He said: "Some of the species on the site are protected by law. Conservation of this site would be in line with the Government's biodiversity action plan targets, which aim to preserve and restore natural habitats across the UK."

At today's planning committee meeting, councillors will discuss a development plan for the site. Protection of the school playing fields and nature conservation will be part of discussions.

**Milham Ford School will be open to the public on Sunday, June 17, from 11am to 4pm.