ASSOCIATED British Ports (ABP) have failed to follow nature conservation regulations and the government should turn down their scheme for a container terminal at Dibden Bay.

So says English Nature's ecology and planning expert David Tyldesley, speaking at the public inquiry into the controversial scheme.

Speaking at Southampton's Eastern Docks, he said the reclaimed foreshore of the bay was recently classified as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and is also a site of importance for nature conservation (SINC) .

He added that Dibden Bay was part of, or near to, seven conservation sites of international status, and protected by the European directive Natura 2000.

"If it is impossible for the Secretary of State to secure the overall coherence of the Natura 2000 network, it is not open for him to grant consent for the terminal scheme," said Mr Tyldesley.

"The proposals would result in habitat loss and reduction in habitat quality in the Solent and Southampton Water special protection areas, and disturb the bird population and the migrating salmon from the River Itchen."

Mr Tyldesley poured cold water on ABP's plans for a new creek and recharged foreshore to offset the impact of their planned terminal on resident wildlife.

"I have serious doubts about the effectiveness and sustainability of the planned creek and its long-term retention and management. It is wholly inadequate as a compensatory measure," he said.

"The recharge of dredged silt onto the Hythe-Cadland foreshore is uncertain in its potential effectiveness and timing. It is a damaging element which adds to the harm of the scheme."

Mr Tyldesley added that English Nature had told ABP as long ago as 1999 that they opposed the idea of the recharge.

"It is not essential to carry out the recharge in order to build the terminal. In English Nature's opinion the recharge is very harmful to the protected nature conservation interests," he said.

Mr Tyldesley added that the plans for a nature conservation area at Church Farm, Dibden were "generally commendable."