TEST Valley Borough Council's cabinet has given the green signal to integrate into a district licensing system for Great Crested Newts (GCN) within the borough.

The move, approved during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, December 20, will change the licensing processes for new developments in the area.

Instead of going through the current route, which involves obtaining a licence from Natural England, developers under the DL system can make a conservation payment in two phases based on the predicted impact of their development.

The council believes this will cover off-site habitat provision related to GCN, allowing for upfront high-quality pond provision in areas deemed ideal for newts to thrive.

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The DLS, by mitigating the need for on-site seasonal survey work, addresses the historical challenges associated with the slow, complex, and expensive nature of obtaining licences for GCNs.

According to officers, the system ensures a strengthened network of new pond habitats used for breeding and associated terrestrial habitat, contributing to biodiversity conservation in alignment with government targets.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, portfolio holder Cllr Philip Bundy said: "Currently, the sites where the newts might be present pose additional challenges to developers and can involve seasonal surveys. Because of the complexities of the assessment process in planning it can take longer time for the application.

"Under the current plans where newts are impacted by a proposal, the developer has to apply for a licence from the Natural England after permission has been given. The alternative method enables council to obtain mitigation upfront from the developer through making payments.

"These payments are then used to provide GCNs new habitats off-site."  

The decision marks a significant step towards streamlining the licensing processes for developers in Test Valley borough council.

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NatureSpace, the conservation-based delivery partner organisation in Hampshire, has been recommended by the cabinet to apply to Natural England on behalf of the council for licences under the newly adopted District Licensing System.

NatureSpace, in collaboration with the Newt Conservation Partnership, will coordinate the administration and delivery of the scheme.

The decision is subject to the head of planning and building being satisfied with the terms and conditions of implementation and the subsequent operation of the licensing system.