the newts are highly unlikely to be present, eg because the habitat is unsuitable or records show no newts nearby.You may be able to exclude areas from the survey if: the pond is muddy, heavily shaded or vegetated.the breeding pond was destroyed several years ago.the site has been ploughed, soil stripped or had ponds filled in within the last 4 years.Great crested newts may be present even if: the development site includes refuges (eg log piles or rubble), grassland, scrub, woodland or hedgerows.there’s a pond within 500 metres of the development, even if it only holds water some of the year.distribution and historical records suggest newts may be present.how planning authorities can assess applications involving protected wildlife.construction near protected wildlife (for developers).great crested newt mitigation licence forms.penalties, what not to do and when you might need a licence.Where this guide says ‘you’ it means the ecologist. If this standing advice isn’t followed, they’ll have to include a statement with the planning application explaining why. This information should be used to decide what is needed for surveys and planning mitigation measures for great crested newts.Įcologists need to decide which survey and mitigation methods are right for the project they’re working on. This is Natural England’s species standing advice for local planning authorities who need to assess planning applications that affect great crested newts. Mitigation plans show how you’ll avoid, reduce or manage any negative effects to protected species.

Surveys need to show whether protected species are present in the area or nearby, and how they use the site. Survey reports and mitigation plans are required for development projects that could affect protected species, as part of getting planning permission or a mitigation licence. Standing advice for local planning authorities who need to assess the impacts of development on great crested newts.

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