Preliminary Ecological Assessment East Sussex; Geat crested newt Triturus cristatus (GCN) surveys
25th April 2022
PJC Consultancy was approached regarding Triturus cristatus (great crested newts) found on a farmer’s East Sussex land, where expansion of the agricultural enterprise required careful ecological assessment and mitigation.
Due to the close proximity of the site to a waterbody, PJC Consultancy were commissioned to undertake a preliminary ecological assessment (PEA) to address the ecological concerns raised by the local planning authority.
Following completion of the PEA, PJC’s team of licenced ecologists undertook the necessary great crested newt Triturus cristatus (GCN) surveys and created an appropriate mitigation strategy to support the planning application. PJC Consultancy successfully secured a district level licence from NatureSpace Partnership for the project, which was granted full planning permission.
Triturus cristatus, commonly known as the great crested newt, is a species of newt native to much of Europe, including the UK. It is notable for its warty dark skin and, in males during the breeding season, a distinctive jagged crest along its back and tail. The underside of the newt is bright orange with black spots, serving as a warning to predators.