ENVIRONMENTAL campaigner Mike Hamblett fears badgers are being driven out of their natural habitat by an allotment expansion in North Oxford.

Mr Hamblett, 58, who lives near Cripley Meadow allotments in Jericho, says he is concerned for the future of the badgers who live in a nearby sett after steel fences were erected near the site.

And he has complained to the city council, which owns the allotment land, and conservation group Natural England about the fence that has been put in place as part of a “badger proofing” scheme.

The fence has been put up by Oxford University in conjunction with the allotments association.

University spokesman Matt Pickles said: “The allotments border the university’s Castle Mill site, where graduate accommodation is planned.”

“The allotment association is moving a fence which the university will subsequently make proof against badgers.

“This is being done with permission of Natural England, who have inspected the site with the university and the allotment association.”

Mr Hamblett said: “A steel fence is being built which will trap the badgers in a tiny space unviable for their survival. A long steel corridor is proposed to lead the animals out on to Port Meadow.

“This is what I would call constructive dismissal because the juvenile badgers may die and others will get run over.”

He added: “I actually love allotments, but part of their charm is the surrounding nature and growing of vegetables should not displace it.

“I gather the Queen guitarist Brian May is a big badger supporter so I’m going to write to him about this.”

Wendy Skinner Smith, chairman of Cripley Meadow Allotments Association management committee, accused Mr Hamblett of harassing her, a claim he denied, and she declined to comment further.

Leo Tarring, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, said no-one had been charged in connection with the dispute.

Mr Hamblett has campaigned on a number of high-profile issues in Oxford in recent years. In 2007, he was arrested for trying to prevent contractors from painting yellow lines for a controlled parking zone in North Oxford.

He also scaled willow trees near Port Meadow in 2009 in a failed bid to prevent them being pollarded.