In the UK, and the EU the Great Crested Newt is a protected species. For several decades now, their numbers have been in decline. Because of this in 1981, they were added to the list of protected species. In 1994, the Natural Habitats Regulations added another layer of protection, in law, for this very rare animal.
Great Crested Newt s can be found in a variety of places. You can find them on farmland, grasslands, dunes, quarries and even some industrial brown-field sites. However, despite their flexibility in terms of habitat areas they actually need a specific type of pond or damp area to take refuge in. The pond needs to have an abundance of weed cover and no fish. Occasionally they can be found in natural springs or in garden ponds. During the winter, they live outside of water in sheltered grassland, scrub or hedges.
The Great Crested Newt and Planning Permission
To get planning permission in the UK several surveys have to be carried out. One of these surveys is a habitat survey looking for protected species of plants and animals. If Great Crested Newts are found during the initial survey further surveys, need to be carried out in order to move forward with the planning process.
The survey you need is naturally called the Great Crested Newt survey. The survey establishes exactly where on the building plot the Newt population is located, the size of that population. What they are eating is looked at as well as exactly where they are living. In addition, the survey establishes whether they are breeding or not.
All of this data is taken and used to assess whether or not your building plans will have an adverse impact on the Great Crested Newt population that lives on your land. If your building plans were not adversely affect the newts you will get permission. The presence of newts on your land does not always mean that you cannot build. You just need to put together and adhere to a plan to protect the Newt population and include things like newt dams or the relocation of the population.
Arbtech has the necessary qualifications to carry out a full Great Crested Newt Survey and advice you on how to get planning permission.