Disconnector Online

It is a truth universally held that any major development project involving a significant land-take in the UK is unlikely to want for a newt problem. Particularly if pipe laying is concerned. By that, the great man means that a colony of great crested newts will be found and will have to be accommodated. As endangered species both the individuals and their habitat have to be protected. And this doesn’t come cheaply.
Recently, Sir Nicholas Winterton MP complained in the Commons that Cheshire County Council had had to fork out £60,000 to safely move four great crested newts. Sir Nicholas, who represents Macclesfield, thought that cost was a bit steep and quizzed ministers on the topic, suggesting that maybe it would be a good idea to review the way the UK applied the Habitats Directive.
Joan Ruddock MP, the environment minister in the hot seat, defended current advice from her department and the government’s adviser on wildlife protection, Natural England, and said the directive was not under review at present. She told MPs: “Tremendous species loss is occurring globally, and there has been great loss of great crested newts in this country. It is important that we all obey the law.” She went on to say that Sir Nicholas was slightly over-egging the pudding when the Tory grandee claimed that saving four newts had cost £60,000.
“When he says that a particular sum of money equates to a certain number of great crested newts – it is just four – the truth is that although only those four will have been captured and moved, the moving and preservation of habitats and the way that such action is undertaken will benefit many more of the species than the particular four in question. It is not possible to equate the overall sum of money that is relevant and necessary to the number of newts that are actually moved.”
Well that’s all right, then, herpetologically speaking. Clear now?