Protecting Great Crested Newts
Great Crested Newt populations have declined over recent decades due to habitat loss.
The species spend most of their life on land in habitats such as woodland, hedgerows, grassland and scrub. They return to freshwater ponds in the spring to breed. They are generally found within 500m of ponds, although they can travel much further than this - up to 1.6km.
Great Crested Newts and their habitats are protected under UK and European legislation. Planning authorities must consider the species as part of the planning application process.
Local planning authorities identify where Great Crested Newts are likely to be by using the Impact Risk Zone maps on the NatureSpace Partnership website.
In higher risk areas (red and amber impact risk zones), planning applicants must show how they will deal with risks to Great Crested Newts and their habitats.
Where there may be impacts on Great Crested Newts, developers should get a licence to make the activities lawful and mitigate impacts.
District licensing
District licensing is a simple and quick solution for developers to meet legal obligations. Under district licensing, individual newt surveys are not required. There is no need to wait for the survey window in the spring. If Great Crested Newts are found during development works, newts can be moved out of harm's way without having to stop works. District licensing benefits Great Crested Newts by creating high-quality habitats in targeted areas.
Natural England have produced guidance for planning authorities using the NatureSpace district licensing scheme. The most recent version of this guidance is in the resource hub on the NatureSpace website.
Licensing options
For developments within Bracknell Forest where there is a risk of impacting Great Crested Newts, there are 3 options available. These are:
- Joining the NatureSpace district licence scheme offered by Bracknell Forest Council
- Applying directly to Natural England for a standard mitigation licence post-planning
- A non-licensed route may be appropriate in some cases
Using the district licence
We hold a Great Crested Newt district licence under which developments can be authorised.
The licence is designed by NatureSpace and granted by Natural England.
If you wish to use the district licence, you must apply before or during the planning process. Otherwise, variations to planning permission would be necessary which can cause delays.
To find out more about the district licence scheme, contact NatureSpace:
- email: info@naturespaceuk.com
- phone: 01865 688307
They will provide a free quotation within 3 working days. The first stage fee to join the scheme is based on the location (that is, which impact risk zone) and scale of the development. Once paid, NatureSpace will carry out a detailed assessment within 10 working days. This will determine associated costs, timings, mitigation and compensation requirements.
To understand more about the process, visit the application page on NatureSpace Partnership.
Under the scheme, the Newt Conservation Partnership delivers habitat compensation. They take responsibility for habitat creation, monitoring and management. Compensation through the scheme delivers landscape-scale conservation for Great Crested Newts.
To learn more about the conservation strategy, visit conservation on NatureSpace Partnership.
Natural England standard mitigation licence
Newt surveys of ponds within 500m of the development site will be required during the survey season. This is to establish presence or likely absence of Great Crested Newts. The season is mid-March to mid-June (up to end of June for eDNA surveys). A population size class assessment (involving 6 survey visits throughout the survey season) may also be needed.
Where Great Crested Newts are present, you will need to submit the details of:
- surveys
- impact assessment
- mitigation and compensation
These must be approved by the planning authority as part of a planning application. This is to comply with legislation and national and local planning policies.
Once planning permission has been granted, a licence application needs to be submitted to Natural England.
Non-licensed route
In some cases, the risk of impacting Great Crested Newts may be so low that a licence is not necessary. Precautionary methods of working, including reasonable avoidance measures, may be needed to avoid offences and the need for a licence.
If Great Crested Newts are subsequently discovered, all works must stop. Natural England or a suitably qualified and experienced ecologist must be contacted for advice.
It is illegal to move Great Crested Newts without a licence. A licence is likely to be needed before works can start again.