THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised to help protect great crested newts.

South Oxfordshire and the Vale of the White Horse District Councils have helped raised over £240,000 for great crested newts habitats.

The funds have been raised over three years as part of a conservation scheme to protect the news which are a European protected species.

These funds will help create ponds for the newts but also will help ensure that there is enough funding to monitor and manage newt habitats over the next 25 years.

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Councillor Anne-Marie Simpson, South Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “One of our corporate priorities is protecting and restoring our natural world.

"Our great crested newt populations are an important part of our natural world and the rich ecology and biodiversity of our district. I am so pleased that this project allows us to not only mitigate for any habitat lost from essential building work but provides better ponds and areas where newts and other species can thrive.”

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Councillor Catherine Webber, Vale cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Environment, said: “We’re proud of our wildlife habitats across the Vale of White Horse district.

"To help protect and enhance them we’ve included developing a Biodiversity Net Gain targeting strategy in our Corporate Plan. This project is an example of Biodiversity Net Gain, providing well managed habitats for great crested newts and other species.

"It means the biodiversity of the district is in a better state after developments have been built than it was before.”

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