Great crested newts

The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) is the largest of Britain’s newts, (growing to around 17cms in length) and one of Britain’s most protected species. They are widespread in mainland Britain, although they are rare in upland areas, areas with few ponds, and urban areas. Their population has declined due to pollution and loss of habitat.

Great crested newts inhabit wetlands, including large ponds and small lakes, where they breed, but also spend a large amount of time on land. Large numbers are often found in ancient woodland, scrub and grassland, but the largest recorded numbers are from ponds in abandoned workings, such as chalk or clay pits.

Adult newts come out of hibernation around February, and then find a pond to breed in between March and June. The efts (juvenile newts) normally leave the pond 12 weeks after hatching.

As well as being a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, the great crested newt is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Habitats Regulations. This means that mitigation on development sites is governed by strict licensing procedures administered by Natural England. A licence is needed whenever disturbance to their habitat is likely to occur, and the presence of great crested newts on a development site can lead to planning permission being refused, unless the developer can prove that:

It can be demonstrated that the great crested newt will be adequately protected during the development works.
The disturbance of the great crested newt habitat will be kept to a minimum.
Alternative habitat will be provided to sustain at least the existing population.

Mitigation

Unfortunately for developers, great crested newt mitigation can be lengthy as well as costly. After waiting up to 10 weeks for a licence, the mitigation works can only be done at certain times of the year, including avoiding the period when newts hibernate. For more information on timings, please see our mitigation calendar. The trapping process can take up to 3 months (or more for large development sites) and involve attendance on site by one or more ecologists. Because the great crested newt inhabits both land and water, both their aquatic and terrestrial habitats are protected from damage and destruction.

Newts are trapped using a system of fencing made of plastic sheeting, and by the use of pitfall traps, which are buckets dug into the ground. The fencing is meant to guide the newts towards the pitfall traps to prevent those outside from entering the work site. Once trapped, the newts can be translocated to alternative habitat.

Habitat Creation

Suitable habitat for great crested newts can be achieved by:

Creating and restoring ponds which are fish free, have areas which are not shaded, and stay wet throughout the year.
Planting woodland, scrub or hedgerows to provide dense ground cover.
Creating artificial hibernacula and refugia from logs, stone and turf.
Avoiding cutting areas of grassland to encourage dense vegetation to grow within the development site.

If you are planning development works on a site which contains newts, please call us on 01483 466066.

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