The Great Crested Newt is protected under European Law, so when builder Anwyl Construction found evidence of the newts at an on-site pond they spent £140,000 on building a special habitat.
In 2004 almost 200 local residents signed a petition protesting against the development. But the company obtained a Welsh Assembly Government development licence and work began on a suitable habitat. There was a bit of a sting in the tail for the builder because there was a grand total of 2 Newts.
Company director Matt Anwyl joked: "We could have built them a three-bedroomed house instead".
Anwyl technical director Andy Davies said:"Because great crested newts are protected by European law we have to provide them with a new purpose-built habitat and that can take up to 18 months to develop.
"Then we have to trap them and transport them to their new homes."
The company has had to spend £300,000 at Aberkinsey Parc in Rhyl where there was a much bigger colony of newts close to a site where 320 homes and a school are planned.
1 comment:
I'd fight and part with money to save the little fellows - as long as i didn't have to actually meet one face to face.
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