Are Skylarks Protected?

This is really a question about trying to stop a planning application on our countryside.  We have skylarks breeding in a field in our village.  Many brd watchers come to look at them.   It seems there is a planning application in for gravel extraction in the next village that will come within two (not very large) farming fields of our village.  Obviously both villages want to stop this.  Is there anyway we can use the fact that skylarks are breeding to stop this abomination of our countryside?

Any help would be appreciated.