Great Crested Newts at Pickering Showground

This exciting project will transform the existing showground and buildings into the Ryedale Exhibition and Leisure Village. The completed project will feature luxury ‘glamping’ pods around a newly created lake, combined with wildlife areas especially set aside for the protection and enhancement of the significant local population of great crested newts (GCN).

EcoNorth was approached to complete the surveys of the ponds on site, and compile an Ecological Enhancement Plan for the proposed development. Our Ecological Consultants, specialising in great crested newt survey and assessment deployed best practice techniques to assess the ponds, utilising eDNA to scope the site, and undertake full great crested newt breeding season survey methodology at those ponds assessed to be suitable to support this rare species.

Having found an exceptional population of great crested newts on site, we devised a pragmatic approach to retain these highly protected amphibians whilst construction works could take place, and enhance the current habitat for the species upon completion of works. This was pulled together to form the Ecological Enhancement Plan for the site, and whose emphasis is on delivering the most cost-effective works Method Statement that would also protect and enhance the site.

As the project progresses, EcoNorth has assisted with the application of a European Protected Species Mitigation Licence (EPSML) for great crested newts. We will also provide an Ecological Clerk of Works, who will be responsible to provide specialist advice and supervision in regard to areas of work that have the potential to impact upon great crested newts.

Our ecological consultants provided the client with a pragmatic approach regarding the most efficient way of protecting and enhancing great crested newt breeding ponds, whilst allowing works to progress across the site. Our Ecological Enhancement Plan, developed in consultation with the local planning authority, helped the project move forward by providing approval and ecological improvement of the proposed planting scheme across site.

Project Start & End Date	April 2017 – ongoing
Client	Ryedale Exhibition and Leisure Village
Location	Pickering, North Yorkshire
Contract Value	£85,000

“EcoNorth were able to attend site and complete surveys with a quick turnaround, providing sound, pragmatic and friendly advice. The Ecological Enhancement Plan they pulled together has enabled us to discharge all our wildlife planning conditions and move the project forward to the next stage. I look forward to working with them again shortly and assisting me in creating a haven for wildlife and people. I would happily recommend their services to all.”

Jason Bruton, Managing Director, Beyond Escapes