ONE of the rarest creatures in Essex has been found living on the edge of Colchester.

And the county’s dormice may impact on plans for garden villages and other housing schemes.

Colchester Natural History Society has revealed dormice live along Salary Brook on the edge of the Greenstead estate in Colchester.

Dormice were first recorded in hedgerows along the brook just over a year ago.

Further research has revealed the small rodents are more extensive than previously thought.

Dormice are rare in eastern England with small pockets of them, some 35 colonies, living in woodlands east of the A12 in Essex and Suffolk.

Further survey work is being undertaken across Essex,which is also uncovering new colonies.

The society’s mammal recorder Darren Tansley said: “We now know they are found along the whole of Salary Brook.”

Darren, who is also a water for wildlife officer for the Essex Wildlife Trust, warned the dormice face several threats, the most immediate being development.

He said: “Our surveys show these species are still living close to where we are living.

“If we don’t look after them, we may lose this species forever.”

He added: “They are along Salary Brook, which runs along the south east of the Greenstead estate, a borough council nature reserve.

“They need woodland and cannot colonise urban areas like other mice can.”

“They are a European protected species. Any development would have to take into account they are there.”

This would mean their woodland habitats being saved from development, or in extreme cases, the dormice might be moved.

Darren said Colchester and Tendring councils are aware of the dormice which will have to be considered as part of any garden village plans in the two districts.

He continued: “Both councils are working with us to ensure they retain important habitat. They are aware of dormice and are working plans around that.”

Darren further warned residents also need to consider them.

He added: “Recently, one dormouse hibernated in a bonfire and got burnt. It had crept into a garden bonfire. It is the same with hedgehogs. We should check bonfires before lighting them.”

In addition, a licence is needed to touch them and any dormice found, dead or alive, should be reported to the Essex Wildlife Trust.