Great Crested Newts (GCNs) are the largest of Britain's native newt species.  These striking creatures are experiencing severe decline and are internationally important, so are strictly protected by law.

GCNs have been found in a pond 100m to the east of Eastfield House, Whitchurch-on-Thames and have also been seen at a pond less than 200m to its west. GCNs use a network of ponds that they migrate between and there is a large pond just a few metres to the east of the development site, likely to be one of the network linking the other two mentioned.

The site has been empty awaiting development for over 6 years but work is now planned to start in March 2023 and no newt survey has been carried out.  We, the undersigned, ask the owners Urban Village Group and South Oxfordshire District Council, to either carry out a comprehensive GCN survey of the site and its immediate surroundings, or to at least delay the development for just another 3 months until after GCN breeding season. Thank-you.