Great crested newt district licence scheme expands across Buckinghamshire
'Great crested newts are a protected species in the UK and, as such, are a material consideration in planning.'
NatureSpace. Credit: Sam Knowles.
NatureSpace has announced the expansion of its innovative district licensing scheme for great crested newts across the whole of Buckinghamshire.
The scheme, which brings licensing and planning together in a streamlined approach, provides developers in the area with a quick, simple and risk-free solution to newt mitigation, as well as hugely improved conservation outcomes for the species.
Last month, an organisational district licence for great crested newts was granted by Natural England to Buckinghamshire council, meaning this groundbreaking scheme is now available for all developers across all legacy areas – originally just the old Aylesbury Vale district but now including Chiltern, South Bucks and Wycombe.
Great crested newts are a protected species in the UK and, as such, are a material consideration in planning. Whilst the species has been in decline for over 40 years, England is a stronghold, with a hotspot for newts across the Midlands area.
The NatureSpace scheme, approved by Natural England, speeds up development delivery by providing a solution for newt licensing all year round, with no need to wait for the survey window which runs from mid-March through to June.
The scheme is accessible to all developers, from householders to major infrastructure and commercial development projects, with applicants able to receive a site assessment in just ten days.
NatureSpace CEO Dr Tom Tew said: “It’s no secret that the standard licensing route for great crested newts often takes months and can require a large amount of evidence to be submitted throughout the process.
"At NatureSpace, we speed up development delivery, enable a simple route for licensing, give certainty with timing and costs, and ensure a sustainable future for great crested newts through the implementation of a long-term, landscape level conservation strategy with our expert partners.
“We are thrilled to be bringing these benefits to the rest of Buckinghamshire and provide developers of all sizes and types with a simple and risk-free solution to meeting their great crested newt obligations.”
Peter Strachan, cabinet member for environment and climate change at Buckinghamshire council said: “We have already seen the benefits and successes which the scheme has delivered in the north of Buckinghamshire.
"Our partnership with NatureSpace helps developers both large and small meet their obligations towards protecting great crested newts and it significantly streamlines the process for them. Most importantly, it enables us to protect and also create new habitats for great crested newts right across Buckinghamshire.”
Click to find out if your region of the country is one of the areas we cover.
