Good news for newts at Clee Hill Quarry

Midland Quarry Products granted licence to relocate great crested newts to allow quarry expansion 

MIDLAND Quarry Products (MQP) have been granted a licence from Natural England to relocate great crested newts at the company’s Clee Hill Quarry, near Ludlow, Shropshire.

MQP were granted permission to expand quarrying operations and, as part of the process, the company will ensure that the newts are carefully moved and looked after.

Four newt ponds, two of which have been specially created, will provide an ideal habitat for the newts and a range of other species to thrive.

MQP have been planning the operation for months and working very closely with Natural England and SLR Consulting, the company’s environmental consultants, to translocate the colony of around 100 newts.

Hugh McGuigan, quarry manager at Clee Hill, said: ‘We are very pleased that Natural England has granted us the licence to move the newts. Their new home will be safe for them to thrive in and hopefully expand still further.’

Chris Mitchell of SLR said: ‘With the granting of the licence, we can now set about moving this protected species to the new purpose-built ponds, which are well established having been constructed several months ago.’