Ecology Link was commissioned by Taylor Wimpey to complete great crested newt surveys for a number of ponds at a proposed development site in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.

Habitat Suitability Index survey

Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) surveys were completed for all ponds identified, to establish the requirement for further great crested newt surveys.

Great Crested Newt bottle trapsGreat crested newt bottle traps

Results fed into site development plan

Four ponds required specific surveys using a combination of bottle trapping, torching and egg-searching, to determine if great crested newts were present and were using each pond for breeding. The survey results were fed into a site development plan, which included mitigation for great crested newt protection, incorporating the creation of new breeding ponds and terrestrial habitat. General ecological enhancements were also planned for the site, to benefit a wide range of species within the local area.