A number of ponds are set to be created in the North Lincolnshire area, thanks to a new scheme funded by Natural England that is designed to protect the great crested newt (GCN) species.
Following our success in South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, we have been appointed by Natural England to create a number of ponds across North Lincolnshire this year and we’re seeking farmers and landowners who would like to have these habitats created or restored on their land. We will carry out all pond creation/restoration works (including adding suitable fencing if required) and all landowners are asked to do is to take a few basic measures to protect the habitat quality of the pond. These ponds are required to be a minimum size of 150m2 and we will carry out maintenance and monitoring visits on a periodic basis over 25 years.
Great crested newts are a European protected species, which means that the newts, their eggs, breeding sites and resting places are protected by law.
Steven Greenwood, Conservation Contracts Manager for Wildscapes on the Great Crested Newts scheme, explains: “During the 20th Century, half of the UK’s ponds were lost and this has led to the serious decline of the great crested newt population. This scheme is designed to support the development process to create more habitats and to secure the long-term protection of this important, protected species.”
The scheme has seen great success in other areas, such as South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, where we have now created over 50 ponds.
The project is part of a national strategy to bolster great crested newt populations in stronghold areas and allow Local Authorities to undertake landscape scale management of the population through District Level Licencing. It is anticipated that Natural England will fund the creation/restoration of over 500 ponds ideally suited for GCN.
Landowners/farmers in North Lincolnshire are encouraged to contact Wildscapes to discuss the suitability of their land for the project. More information can be found here; https://wildscapes.co.uk/pond-creation