Great Crested Newts
The Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) is the UK's largest newt. It is highly protected and is a European Protected Species. Assessing the presence or absence of Great Crested Newts on a proposed site for development is a crucial part of an ecological appraisal and an ecological impact assessment.
Great Crested Newt surveys are undertaken during the breeding season to assess the presence or likely absence of Great Crested Newts (GCN) on or within a 500m radius of a proposed development. A Great Crested Newt survey requires four visits that are undertaken by at least two surveyors, including a Natural England license holder. Two additional visits are needed to evaluate the population size when Great Crested Newts are confirmed to be within the surveyed area.
The presence of Great Crested Newts on or within 500m of a site may constrain developments, and they should be considered in the planning process. Mitigation will need to be designed to avoid affecting the local Great Crested Newt population.
Development of a site where Great Crested Newts may occur can be made legal by the granting of an appropriate Natural England license that we can apply for on your behalf. Mitigation, once allowed by Natural England, could include the setting of a newt exclusion fence around the site, where pit-fall trapping could be undertaken and newts relocated to a suitable place outside of the works area (species translocation). Habitat enhancements would also be part of the on-site mitigations for Great Crested Newts and should be included in the landscaping proposals.
To discuss Great Crested Newt surveys or mitigation strategies, please call us on 01323 768155 or use our enquiry form.
