English Nature is set to spearhead opposition to a proposed port development at Southampton's Dibden Bay

The move comes as a public inquiry into the "super-port" began on Tuesday.

Associated British Ports (ABP) is seeking to build on a 202-hectare site at Dibden Bay on Southampton Water near the New Forest - which falls within the boundary of the New Forest National Park.

English Nature's coastal specialist, Richard Leafe, said it was important that the inquiry was told exactly how much damage would be done by the development.

"English Nature objects to the impact the terminal construction scheme is likely to have on nature and would like the inquiry inspectors to fully recognise the harm this development is likely to cause," he said.

The government agency, set up to champion nature conservation, will tell the inquiry that plans to build a new container terminal will have a detrimental effect on internationally important wildlife sites.

Birds such as Brent geese, oystercatcher, ringed and grey plover, dunlin, curlew and redshank will be at risk from the development, as will lapwing, wigeon and teal, argues Leafe.

English Nature believes that measures to limit the impact of the development will not save key conservation areas from damage, including "the almost total loss" of a recently notified Dibden Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest.

"We feel that some of the mitigation measures put forward by ABP will not succeed and that there will be a range of negative impacts on the nature conservation interests of Southampton Water," said Leafe.

"English Nature will be at the inquiry to explain all the wildlife issues to government inspectors before the secretary of state makes his decision on ABP's proposals."