ASSOCIATED British Ports has done its best to plan new homes for wildlife doomed to be evicted if the proposed Dibden Bay container terminal goes ahead.

Ecology expert Philip Colebourn told the hearing: "ABP has fulfilled its obligations to replace habitat as far as possible. The government will consider the effects of the project in a pragmatic way, as long as the measures are delivered within a timescale which preserves any species present."

ABP's proposals to build a new container port at Dibden Bay will destroy the 32-year-old reclaimed shore as a home for wildlife, but they plan a "habitat creation package" including a new creek, saltmarsh, wet grassland, saline pools and mudflats.

Dredged mud would be used to give a "recharge" of silt to the foreshore between Hythe and Cadland, where few wading birds feed at present.

Mr Colebourn said : "We hope to improve that foreshore and then birds will stay and feed. There is definitely something deficient there at the moment. Clean sediment would improve the situation."

ABP's counsel Martin Kingston asked Mr Colebourn if the proposed "recharge" of Hythe to Cadland would be an adequate replacement for land lost at Dibden Bay.

"For the majority of tides more land will be exposed from Hythe to Cadland . There would be a net benefit," said Mr Colebourn.

"I can't predict exactly what will be there - how many cockles, mussels, ragworms and snails. But the secretary of state doesn't need to know precise figures. He just needs to know the new habitat is functioning."