Badgers living near a closed hospital have forced developers to adapt plans to build nearly 30 homes.

A new planning application to build 29 homes on the site of William Julien Courtauld Hospital in London Road, Braintree, remains largely the same as one submitted last November.

But plans for the north west section have been adapted slightly so building work will not affect badgers in the area.

Planning agent Capita Symonds withdrew its previous application to carry out seasonal bat and reptile surveys.

Surveys found bats were roosting in three of the hospital buildings and further studies must be carried out in the coming months so a license application can be made to Natural England.

In the covering letter to Braintree Council, which will decide the planning application, Sophie O’Hara Smith, of Capita Symonds, said: “In principle this application seeks to make effective and efficient use of land by re-using previously developed ‘brownfield’ land for the provision of new housing.”