I recently attended a meeting (socially distanced… of course!) with a new client of mine, and a representative of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) to discuss installing ponds on my client’s estate in North Wiltshire.

I involved FWAG in the project, as they are overseeing the District Level Licensing program on behalf of Natural England. District Level Licensing aims to mitigate against the loss of Great Crested Newt habitat as a result of development, by providing suitable habitat elsewhere (a sort of off-setting for habitat loss if you like). The funding for the development of GCN ponds comes from developers buying into the Licensing Scheme.

The scheme then pays 100% of the cost of the installation of the pond, including seeking any permissions, landscaping, and fencing. FWAG will advise on the best locations, and best design for your pond. They will then continue to maintain the pond into the future, with more funding available (if required) for doing so.

The ponds are a really successful way of encouraging newt populations, and usually become colonised within the first 24 months of being excavated. They rely on clay soils however, and this has somewhat restricted the number of ponds being created in the North Wiltshire area. With a mass of development forecast for this area, FWAG and Natural England are very keen to encourage take up of the scheme in North Wiltshire.

There are eligibility criteria, of course, but if you are in North Wilts and pond creation may be of interest to you, then this may be a great opportunity, and one that I would be happy to discuss further.  Contact Holly at hollyhawker@fcgagric.com or your local FCG Office for advice and help on all environmental and stewardship grant schemes.