New ponds proposed for Knaresborough Forest Park to help save endangered newtsBid to create new ponds in Nidderdale for Britain’s biggest amphibian

New habitats for one of the UK’s most iconic protected species could be created in Nidderdale if a planning application is approved. 

Wildscapes, a community interest company (CIC) owned by the Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, has applied to create two ponds at Delves Ridge, near Thornthwaite, to help boost the population of great crested newts. 

The species, also known as the northern crested newt or warty newt, is Britain’s largest amphibian, reaching lengths of up to 17cm (nearly 7 inches). Globally, it is regarded as being “of least concern”, but in the UK, where habitat loss has seen a sharp downturn in numbers over the past century, it is considered to be at risk and is protected under law.

To help halt its decline, Natural England has established a programme of district level licensing, and property developers whose projects have been identified by Natural England as having caused the loss of great crested newt habitat have applied to join the scheme to offset the damage. 

As a result, a number of ponds suitable for increasing population of great crested newts must now be created or restored in North Yorkshire. 

Wildscapes CIC is Natural England’s habitat delivery body and creates around 100 new ponds a year for great crested newts. It has identified the Thornthwaite site, which is within the Nidderdale National Landscape (formerly known as the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or AONB), as a perfect location.

But the ponds will not be entirely new to the locality, which is on land off Menwith Hill Road. According to the planning document submitted to North Yorkshire Council: 

“Evidence of current and previously existing pond structures can be seen in the surrounding area, including those which have been lost to agricultural development.  

“Creation of ponds on this site will return these features to the landscape and enhance the local wildlife and biodiversity.  

“As a local feature this is well within keeping with the existing landscape as well as offering a significant opportunity for enhancement.” 

The two proposed ponds could be just the start of a great crested newt renaissance if local conservation plans are successful, with more being created not far away, in the Washburn Valley. 

According to the planning application, Wildscapes has been in discussions with the Nidderdale National Landscape project ecologist, Kate Wright, who said she believed the proposed site was a “good location”. 

She added: 

“We did have a potential new pond for a site south along Meagill Lane, but it didn’t go ahead due to planning issues. There’s a very large toad population in the Washburn valley just over 1km WSW.

“I don’t believe I’ve had any contact with this landowner as part of the previous project. But it’s within our desired development area for wetland creation in 2023/4.

“We’ve received some interest from other landowners in the area, including potentially a series of ca. 3 ponds just west over the Washburn Valley.”

The consultation period for the application started on Monday (December 4) and is due to end on Thursday, December 28. The planning application reference code is ZC23/03802/FUL.

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Road closure warning as delayed A1 (M) junction 47 works come to end

A multi-million pound project to upgrade junction 47 on the A1(M) at Flaxby will be completed by the end of this month.

Work began at the start of September 2020 to widen slip roads and install traffic lights to prevent vehicles queueing.

The project, carried out by contractors Farrans Construction on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, also involves upgrading the road network just off the junction.

Work was originally due to be completed in September 2021 but has encountered several delays. The council blamed ‘unforeseen ground conditions’ and the discovery of great crested newts for setting the project back.

Final repair works on the A168 bridge and verges along with resurfacing of the A59 will run from March 14 to 26 under overnight weekday closures.

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Once the traffic signals are installed there will be a period where the signal timings are adjusted by engineers to the optimum settings for traffic flow conditions. This may result in some extra delays during March and April.

Conservative councillor Andy Paraskos, member for the Ainsty division, added:

“The upcoming works will involve repairs, resurfacing as well as the installation of road markings and traffic loops. For the safety of our workforce this must be carried out under a full road closure and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience this essential work may cause.

Conservative county councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

“The finish line is in sight for this important scheme which will support the future growth of the Harrogate and Knaresborough areas.

“The scheme promises to reduce congestion and improve road safety at this major junction. It is a great example of how we are delivering on our aim to improve east-west connections across North Yorkshire.”

Rising costs

The council initially earmarked £7.7m for the project, but it said last year it now expected it to cost over £10m.

The project is being funded by the council, with £2.47m from the government’s Local Growth Fund along with contributions from Highways England and developer Forward Investment LLP.

The Stray Ferret has asked the council for the current cost of the project but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Three newt ponds to be built at Long Lands Common

Work will begin in January to build three ponds for Great Crested Newts at Long Lands Common in Harrogate.

The team behind the community-funded nature reserve and woodland between Bogs Lane and Bilton Lane hopes the ponds will become a flagship for biodiversity in the area.

The ponds will be built in places that already have seasonal flooding and semi-wetland communities.

Surveys have found the common toad, common frog, smooth newt and Great Crested Newts all within 2km of the site. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust will carry out the works.

The animals will use the ponds to breed between March and June and will use the habitat that Long Lands Common will provide for the rest of the year.

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The Long Lands Common December newsletter says:

“Given the situation of the site close to an existing pond, and with the landscape corridors provided by the railway cutting and Bilton beck, once habitats on-site start to become more natural, it is very likely that this baseline will increase in both diversity and absolute numbers as well as the additional benefits for species diversity and human enjoyment of the site that the presence of the ponds will bring.”

In 2020, around 3,000 people bought shares in the land. The appeal raised £375,000 to purchase 30 acres of land near the Nidderdale Greenway and protect it from development.

An official open day was held on the land for people who pledged money in July.

A detailed plan for the site is set to be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in February. Thousands of trees will eventually be planted there.

Newts delay junction 47 A1(M) upgrade near Knaresborough

The discovery of great crested newts has delayed the A1(M) junction 47 upgrade near Knaresborough — which is now set to overrun by at least six months.

North Yorkshire County Council, the highways authority, also revealed today the scheme was set to cost considerably more than the original £7.7m budget.

It said spending had racked up to £10 million by September and “the latest estimated costs are the subject of detailed discussions with the council’s contractor and will be publicly available once agreement is confirmed”.

It said in a statement:

“Encountering unforeseen poor ground conditions on the southbound slip road has significantly restricted the speed of work taking place and the methods that can be used.

“In addition, the discovery of great crested newts caused a delay as they legally had to be relocated. During the coronavirus pandemic, operatives had to comply with secure site procedures which also extended the timescale.”

Work by contractors Farrans Construction began in September last year to widen three of the four slip roads and install traffic lights to prevent vehicles queueing.

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It was initially due to finish in September but the council said in August that “unforeseen ground conditions” meant it would finish this month.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

“We are looking forward to the completion of this important scheme, which anticipates significant residential and commercial development along the A59 corridor.

“The prolongation of the schedule is not expected to cause disruption to traffic flows at the junction and will be accompanied by additional safety work on the vehicle restraint systems on the A1M slip roads.

“Whilst progress on construction works will depend upon winter weather conditions, we are confident that we can fully complete the scheme by spring.

‘Long-term benefits’

As well as widening the slip roads, traffic signals will be installed on the roundabout to improve traffic flow. Signals will also be added to the T-junction between the A168 and the A59, a short distance from junction 47 on the York side to benefit drivers turning onto the A59 and to improve safety.

To the west of Junction 47, between the A1 and the Flaxby roundabout, a lane will be added for traffic travelling east, so there will be two lanes in each direction between those two roundabouts.

Cllr Andy Paraskos, member for the Ainsty division, added:

“The delays to the project are unfortunate, but unforeseen issues are always a risk on major schemes like this. We can look forward to the long-term benefits from next spring for residents, commuters and visitors for many years to come.”

The project has been funded by £2.47m from the government’s Local Growth Fund, secured by the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, along with contributions from the county council, National Highways and developer Forward Investment LLP.