If a site has been identified as falling within an Impact Risk Zone on Staffordshire wide Great Crested Newt habitat map, there is a high likelihood of great crested newts being present within the site.
To address this matter two routes are available, which need to be addressed prior to validation of a planning application. Either by using the Council's District Licence - delivered by NatureSpace. Please visit the NatureSpace website for more information, or contact them on info@naturespaceuk.com.. Or by a standard survey & licence route. You can commission a seasonal survey of ponds and suitable habitats on and around the development site to ascertain potential impacts on great crested newts. The survey work must be carried out by an appropriately experienced and licensed ecologist.
Users of the District Licence scheme can also benefit from the integrated Biodiversity Net Gain package managed by NatureSpace and the Newt Conservation Partnership. More information on this can be found on the NatureSpace website.
