Great crested newts are protected by UK and EU law, but development can still displace populations. New Natural England licensing schemes offer better outcomes for both development and newt welfare.
Traditional great crested newt mitigation - trapping individual newts ahead of development - involved capturing wild animals, holding them in captivity, and transporting them to unfamiliar sites. Many did not survive relocation. The new District Level Licensing approach creates high-quality habitat in advance of development, then allows translocation into prepared habitat. This approach better serves both individual welfare and population conservation. Unlicensed killing and disturbance of great crested newts remains an offence.