Acer Ecology was commissioned to undertake a great crested newt survey and prepare a great crested newt mitigation strategy for a site in Llandow in the Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales. The survey included a variety of survey methods including egg searching, bottle trapping and torching in accordance with guidelines given in the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines and the National Amphibian and Reptile Recording Scheme.
Great crested newts are fully protected under the UK and European law. It is an offence to kill, capture, or disturb them, or to damage / destroy their ponds. This protection extends to the habitats supporting great crested newts. It is generally assumed that the species might be present in terrestrial habitats up to 500m of a breeding pond, depending on habitat quality, connectivity, and population size.
Great crested newts are frequently encountered on development sites. If they will be affected by your planning application, you will require a European Protected Species (EPS) development licence to ensure that works progress smoothly, legally, and in a manner that will not adversely affect the newts.
Our licensed great crested newt specialists are experienced in surveying for newts, European Protected Species licensing, mitigation design and implementation. We are able to provide surveys for great crested newts across South Wales and the border regions of England.
For more information about great crested newt surveys, or any of our other ecological services, please call us on 02920 650331, or email us at enquiries@acerecology.co.uk.
Further information about great crested newts can be found in our articles Get The “Newt” Know How On Great Crested Newt Surveys, Great Crested Newts – How We Can Help You and A Year in the Life of a Great Crested Newt.
