Consultation outcome: Great crested newt pilot scheme in Woking: outcome

Woking borough council would very much welcome your feedback on this proposed new approach. This is your opportunity to help refine the process before the pilot begins this spring.

The consultation is open until 5pm on Wednesday 10 February 2016.

To find out more about the proposed pilot and how you can comment, see Woking borough council’s consultation.

Background

The pilot scheme represents a milestone in Natural England’s drive to reform regulation. It will:

• make it easier for industry to observe environmental laws
• achieve more for the natural environment

It’s an exciting win-win opportunity that moves Natural England from tackling the challenges caused by great crested newts on development sites in a reactive site-by-site approach to one that’s proactive and genuinely strategic.

Natural England is confident this approach will secure long-term improvements to the conservation status of great crested newts in Woking borough. The pilot also seeks to establish a planning and licensing framework which could be adopted for other protected species and other areas of the country.