Ministers urged to again plan for saving newts with out complications for builders

Ministers are being urged to back an innovative plan to grow the newt population while reducing red tape and costs for house builders.

The great crested newt is a protected species, but this means developers often have to go through months of red tape to identify their locations before they can put a shovel in the ground.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has argued that newts should not be a consideration when building homes, but this has infuriated environmental groups.

And it comes after public bafflement about the £100 million cost of building a shield to protect bats in ancient woodland in Buckinghamshire, along the route of HS2.

Under the new kite-mark system, developers would instead pay into a fund that creates ponds to replace the habitats being built on.

Dr Tom Tew, former government Chief Scientist and now Naturespace chief executive said “We all know we need more houses and with a little thought we can do that alongside saving our newts.

“We’ve been running a scheme now for seven years that cuts through planning red tape and builds more ponds – better for developers, better for planners, better for newts. Accreditation of responsible developers with a Newt Mark is a great idea.”

Developers who use the scheme would carry the Newt Mark on their hoardings when projects are under construction, reassuring new residents that nature has considered while also confirming homes and other infrastructure are being built at speed.

Jonathan Ordridge, senior planning manager at housebuilder Thakeham said: “The NatureSpace scheme has helped us to easily and positively contribute to local conservation.

“We think the idea of a ‘Newt Mark’ is fantastic because it strengthens the industry’s commitment to environmental responsibility and helps build a sustainable future.”

And Professor Jeremy Biggs, chief executive of Freshwater Habitats Trust, said “We strongly support the NatureSpace scheme and the Newt Mark, it’s a brilliant idea and a great example of nature conservation that doesn’t slow down development.

“There are now more than 500 brand new wildlife ponds across the country which are home to not only newts but lots of other plants and animals.”