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<u>WAKEFIELD EXPRESS</u> (Normanton, UK) 12 January 07 Residents battle to protect newts' habitat
Plans to build housing on the old Normanton brickworks site have been halted in a bid to protect a colony of great crested newts.
People living close to the former brickworks on Wakefield Road want to make sure the protected species comes to no harm if plans for the residential development are passed.
An outline planning application has been submitted to Wakefield Council, but has been held up until the future of the newts has been assured.
Great crested newts and their habitats are protected by law, due to declining numbers, and anyone who disturbs them or their homes can be jailed or fined up to £5,000.
Anyone wishing to build on a site where the amphibians have been found must submit a survey and scheme for the newts’ future to Natural England, formerly known as English Nature, detailing the impact on the newt colonies.
In some cases new newt habitats, including ponds, must be provided.
Residents living near to the Old Brick Works are uniting to ensure the newts are protected.
Dave Smith, 66, of Wakefield Road, said: “What is crucial is that we are losing about 150 animal species a day worldwide and we must play our part to stop this, however small it is.”
Mr Smith said that across the country vast numbers of ponds have been lost, which has led to falling numbers of great crested newts.
He said: “Great crested newts are a highly endangered species and they need protecting – they are a wonderful part of our wildlife.
“I have some sympathy with the people making the planning application – there is nothing wrong with what they want to do.
“But we are on an environmental knife-edge at the moment and the newts in Normanton are just a small part of the bigger picture. We need to think about conservation.”
Townsend Planning Consult-ants are acting as agents for Normanton Brick Co Ltd.
Between them they have submitted details of their scheme for the newts to Natural England.
Rob McDonnell, senior planning officer for Wakefield Council, said: “The applicant has carried out the survey and provided a mitigation scheme
“However, Natural England has asked them to resubmit a more robust mitigation scheme before the application can be considered.”
http://www.wakefieldtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=706&ArticleID=1969307
Plans to build housing on the old Normanton brickworks site have been halted in a bid to protect a colony of great crested newts.
People living close to the former brickworks on Wakefield Road want to make sure the protected species comes to no harm if plans for the residential development are passed.
An outline planning application has been submitted to Wakefield Council, but has been held up until the future of the newts has been assured.
Great crested newts and their habitats are protected by law, due to declining numbers, and anyone who disturbs them or their homes can be jailed or fined up to £5,000.
Anyone wishing to build on a site where the amphibians have been found must submit a survey and scheme for the newts’ future to Natural England, formerly known as English Nature, detailing the impact on the newt colonies.
In some cases new newt habitats, including ponds, must be provided.
Residents living near to the Old Brick Works are uniting to ensure the newts are protected.
Dave Smith, 66, of Wakefield Road, said: “What is crucial is that we are losing about 150 animal species a day worldwide and we must play our part to stop this, however small it is.”
Mr Smith said that across the country vast numbers of ponds have been lost, which has led to falling numbers of great crested newts.
He said: “Great crested newts are a highly endangered species and they need protecting – they are a wonderful part of our wildlife.
“I have some sympathy with the people making the planning application – there is nothing wrong with what they want to do.
“But we are on an environmental knife-edge at the moment and the newts in Normanton are just a small part of the bigger picture. We need to think about conservation.”
Townsend Planning Consult-ants are acting as agents for Normanton Brick Co Ltd.
Between them they have submitted details of their scheme for the newts to Natural England.
Rob McDonnell, senior planning officer for Wakefield Council, said: “The applicant has carried out the survey and provided a mitigation scheme
“However, Natural England has asked them to resubmit a more robust mitigation scheme before the application can be considered.”
http://www.wakefieldtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=706&ArticleID=1969307