Great Crested Newt

Great crested newts (GCN) are protected under legislation including the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. The legislation prevents killing or injury to individual newts and the damage or disturbance to their habitat.

This species is frequently encountered in development projects as, although protected, the species is fairly widespread in the UK. Survey work can only be undertaken during spring when the adults can be found breeding within ponds and other waterbodies. When not breeding, newts are found as far as 500m from their breeding ponds, this terrestrial habitat is also protected under the current legislation.

We use our survey data to assess the impact of a development and to devise appropriate mitigation strategies and have successful attained many planning permissions where great crested newts are present. Additionally, we have obtained many Natural England licences for development works affecting great crested newts and their breeding and terrestrial habitat. Mitigation works include terrestrial and aquatic habitat creation, maintenance and management, and the management of numerous large-scale exclusion and translocation projects. Our ecologists hold Natural England great crested newt licences and are highly experienced in translocation works and the supervision of habitat removal.

Natural England licences are most likely to be issued where there are strong social and economic issues linked to the proposed development. However, such licences are likely to require mitigation/compensation proposals that benefit the species, such as additional habitat creation and beneficial habitat management.

Minimum survey requirements for great crested newt: To establish probable presence or absence, four visits between mid-March and mid-May, two of which must fall in the period Mid-April to mid-May; if present, a total of six surveys are required to assess population, no less than three between mid-April and mid-May.