Great Crested Newts

Great Crested Newts are amphibious creatures native to the UK and parts of mainland Europe. 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 legislation which means the Council must take this into account when considering planning applications.

The likelihood of Great Crested Newts being on a site has been modelled and is shown by NatureSpace’s impact risk zones which you can view on the Council’s planning constraints map.

Planning Policies and Constraints Map

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Works without a licence

If the risk of harming Great Crested Newts is low, it may be possible to carry out work without a licence. However, care should be taken and appropriate avoidance measures applied. If Great Crested Newts are found, contact Natural England or a qualified ecologist for advice. Remember it is illegal to move Great Crested Newts without a licence.

Natural England Licensing

It is possible to gain a licence directly from Natural England but only once planning permission has been granted. An application will need to be supported by surveys of ponds within 500 metres of the site and should include details of impact assessment, mitigation and compensation.

Apply for a licence

District Licensing

The Council holds a district licence designed by NatureSpace and granted by Natural England. Developments can be covered by this licence through a process approved at the same time as planning permission which can make the process quicker and easier for applicants. Before submitting a planning application, contact NatureSpace to get an assessment carried out. You can then submit a NatureSpace report or Certificate with your planning application to the Council. Visit the NatureSpace website for further information.

Licensing and Biodiversity Net Gain

Users of the District Licence scheme can also benefit from the integrated Biodiversity Net Gain package managed by NatureSpace and the Newt Conservation Partnership. More information on this can be found on the NatureSpace website.

Further information

Queries about the district licence should be sent to NatureSpace by email info@naturespaceuk.com or by phone 01865 688307. Resources for the licence scheme and further information are on the NatureSpace website.