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Our Newt Habitat
Caring for our estate and our community

Our newt habitat is the centrepiece of our living environment. Planned maintenance is aimed at not just meeting our obligation to ensure newt conservation but to bring the whole centre of the estate to life with natural flora and fauna. Work is carried out under the guidance of a qualified ecologist whose latest survey was conducted in January 2019. The ecology report is summarized below:

Report Findings

The management plan is working as the newt population has doubled since 2016.

There are two newt breeding ponds on the estate: the large pond in the habitat and the woodland pond.

Draining and clearing weed from the ponds in the habitat in 2019 has improved the water quality and water fleas were found for the first time.

The main benefits of the pond clearing work will not be seen until 2022 when adults return to the pond to breed.

The work done in clearing Himalayan Balsam from the woodland is a benefit that has been noticed.

Many other species were found in the conservation areas indicating that the management plan is working.




Report Recommendations

The main ponds should be drained every ten years - completed 2018

The vegetation in the ponds should be cleared / cut back every 2-3 years - completed 2021

Willows and Silver Birch need cutting back or removing from around the woodland pond every 2years to prevent them infilling the pond and drying the pond out too early - completed 2020

Himalyan Balsam and a proportion of the brambles to be cleared from the woodland each year - completed 2021

The ditch needs clearing and the Willows cutting back every five years so as to keep it clear - completed 2021

Trees in the woodland to be inspected for safety on a regular basis survey and surgery - completed 2021

The habitat should be cut in late July or in the Autumn to a height of 150mm - completed 2021

Native species of plants should be introduced into the habitat to encourage natural flora - completed 2021

The next newt survey will be undertaken in 2022.


Dated: January 2022