Boris Johnson’s plan to construct swimming pool might be scuppered by newts
B
oris Johnson’s plans to construct an outside swimming pool at his Oxfordshire nation manor might be scuppered by newts.
The former prime minister’s planning utility was met with a holding objection elevating issues that the native inhabitants of nice crested newts (GCN) might be threatened by the development.
It comes after Mr Johnson in 2020 blamed “newt-counting” purple tape within the planning system for delays in housebuilding.
A planning utility was lodged in June with South Oxfordshire District Council for the set up of a brand new 11-by-four-metre swimming pool on the grounds of the ex-premier’s house.
He lives at Grade II-listed Brightwell Manor together with his spouse Carrie and their three younger youngsters.
But the South and Vale countryside officer final month filed a holding objection, protesting that the uncommon amphibians might be “impacted by the proposed development”.
Local authorities ecologist Edward Church wrote in his report: “There are known populations of great crested newts … in the east of the village.
“Mapping shows that there is a pond onsite and a moat immediately adjacent to the southern boundary, both well within 250 metres of the position of the proposed pool.
“The proposed development falls within the red zone of highest risk to GCN.
“Based on the information available to me currently, I am of the opinion that there is a reasonable likelihood that GCN are present and could be impacted by the proposed development.
“I do not recommend that planning permission is granted currently,” he concluded, saying protected species surveys “are likely to be required to support this application”.
With the event falling in a “red zone” the place newts are anticipated to be most ample, conventional strategies of rescuing and relocating them are probably for use.
That might contain a prolonged technique of catching and counting the creatures, and creating “compensation” ponds to exchange people who had been misplaced to the development of the pool.
Mr Church stated that Mr Johnson might alternatively select to make use of a district stage licence and negate the necessity for added surveys, which might imply he’s charged in keeping with the influence the pool may have on newts.
The cash can be utilized by conservationists to create new ponds elsewhere.
Great crested newts, that are black with noticed flanks and an orange stomach, are protected underneath UK and European wildlife regulation.
Their numbers are in decline, with habitat loss being their greatest menace.
As prime minister, Mr Johnson stated in a speech about rebooting the economic system three years in the past that “newt-counting delays in our system are a massive drag” on productiveness within the UK.