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The newts, although common in this part of England, are a protected
species and the law requires developers to make arrangements for
their welfare. Larkfleet has created a special pond area in the
site's park to allow the newts to continue to thrive.
Independent ecologist Phil Horton,
from Grantham-based Ecological Services, has been helping Larkfleet
to care for the newts. He said: "It is vital that we make efforts to
conserve the great crested newt.
"The newt habitat created at The
Meadows demonstrates how it is possible to maintain a good balance
between bringing forward developments and preserving wildlife. We
will be enhancing the site - planting more aquatic plants that the
newts like and ensuring the grass surrounding the ponds is allowed
to grow - to make the site as suitable as we can for the newts."
Karl Hick, managing director of
Larkfleet, said: "Great crested newts are a protected species so it
is very important that we look at ways of preserving their habitat.
The new area of the park that we have created at The Meadows
provides a safe, natural environment that will allow them to
continue to prosper."
The Meadows comprises a range of
two, three, four and five bedroom homes and includes nine affordable
starter homes that will be managed by Peterborough-based Nene
Housing.
The first phase of The Meadows at
Eye will be complete in summer 2007 and is only a short walk from
the village's own nature reserve at Eye Green.
Great crested newts can be found
across most of the UK. Adult newts have been recorded up to fifteen
years old and often return to the same breeding site.
April 2007 -
Peterborough UK Community Website
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