A report published today (3rd February 2024) shows that one of Britain’s most iconic species – the great crested newt – has already colonised more than half of pond sites created through a scheme launched in 2018.
The report from the Newt Conservation Partnership includes monitoring data on habitat created and restored between 2018 and 2023 for the NatureSpace District Licensing Scheme for Great Crested Newt. The protected amphibian was recorded at 58% of the pond sites developed through the scheme. This number is expected to increase as these new habitats become more established.
Great crested newts have declined dramatically in the UK over the last 50 years. Habitat loss is the biggest threat to the species, so developers are required to compensate for their proposed impacts by funding pond restoration and creation.
For each great crested newt-occupied pond lost to development, the Newt Conservation Partnership creates or restores at least four compensation ponds in suitable locations away from the development site.
Posted On: 05/02/2024
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