UK legislation for Great Crested Newt populations sets seasonal deadlines for site surveys, which can significantly delay building projects (leading to unforeseen costs).
The guide
Building projects that interfere with land inhabited by Great Crested Newt populations must include surveys and any necessary mitigation.
Professional ecologist Andrew McCarthy advises on legal constraints that can delay project timelines and cause unexpected costs.
For example, affected projects must conduct:
- 4 separate surveys between mid-March and June to check if newts are present
Therefore, allocate time to ensure project timelines cross this period in such cases.
Read the guide
Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines | Newt Protection
The Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines date from 2001 and outline the requirements for great crested newt protection.
The Smallholdings Team.
