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Newts to blame for our home flooding
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| Fed-up John Histed says protected Great Crested Newts are stopping flood prevention work near his home in Dauntsey |
FLOOD victims John and Margie Histed have been left distraught after their Dauntsey home has been flooded again - just one day before builders were due to start repairing the damage left by the summer floods.
They have also found out that the cause of the flooding is a family of rare great crested newts who have taken up home in the motorway ditch that regularly floods.
They have been told by the Environment Agency that, because the newts are a protected species, the ditches cannot be cleared of the debris that causes the flooding.
Mr Histed, 71, whose Grade II listed house Evergreen Farm was gutted by floods in July, said: "This is disastrous - these newts are getting priority over my family and it is not on.
"The builders were here ready to start re-plastering the house when the rain starting falling on Saturday.
"When I checked on the house on Sunday morning there was water up to the fourth brick line in the hallway. I really thought we were moving ahead and this has been a major setback.
"When we found out that the ditches might not be cleared because of newts, I was fuming because the newts' home was given priority over mine.
"We have now been told we will have to wait a number of months before the building work could start. My wife and I are still living in our mobile home. I can't even sell the house in this state."
Mr and Mrs Histed have been living in a mobile home next to their house since July after the ground floor was ruined by floodwater.
Mr Histed believes that the drainage ditch next to the M4 is causing the problems because it is clogged up with branches and dirt.
He said: "There has been a human habitat here for 300 years and the newts could only have been here for 30 years."
A spokesman for the Wildlife Trust said: " The great crested newt is an internationally important species and one which is rightfully protected. Their habitat is constantly threatened by building work because their presence is usually unknown."
11:19am Thursday 20th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Chipsticks, Chippenham on 12:10pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Dauntsey a new suburb of chippenham?
Dauntsey a new suburb of chippenham?
Posted by: Anon emouse, Around and about on 2:14pm Thu 20 Mar 08
If that was me I would gather a team of mates, did up the bloody newts and save the houses.
Stick the notes in a fish tank and leave them outside the Environment Agency offices.
If that was me I would gather a team of mates, did up the bloody newts and save the houses.
Stick the notes in a fish tank and leave them outside the Environment Agency offices.
Posted by: Anon emouse, Around and about on 2:15pm Thu 20 Mar 08
That last line should read
Stick the newts in a fish tank and leave them outside the Environment Agency offices.
Can I have a job with this website
That last line should read
Stick the newts in a fish tank and leave them outside the Environment Agency offices.
Can I have a job with this website
Posted by: donteventhinkit, Corsham on 9:20pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Yes these newts are protected but that doesnt mean they will die if a few guys in wellies get in there and clear out a bit of debris your hardly talking about filling the ditch in or building a road over it just getting rid of a bit of overgrown mess.Stupid thing is if you went out and shifted them yourself they would lock you up for it
Yes these newts are protected but that doesnt mean they will die if a few guys in wellies get in there and clear out a bit of debris your hardly talking about filling the ditch in or building a road over it just getting rid of a bit of overgrown mess.Stupid thing is if you went out and shifted them yourself they would lock you up for it
Posted by: Tax Payer, Chippenham on 12:05pm Fri 21 Mar 08
Do the newts pay taxes!! no then who has more priority in life looks like we dont
Do the newts pay taxes!! no then who has more priority in life looks like we dont
Posted by: The Maxter, Chippenham on 11:19am Sat 22 Mar 08
During building work, it is common for an environmental team (Read; Civil Engineers on work experience)to cordon the area, and handcrawl it to retrieve as many examples of the protected species as possible. These are then relocated to a suitable area allowing redevelopment to commence. Can't see why this wouldn't work here. Get the contractors to quote for clearing, plus a newt evacuation. Everybodys happy!!
During building work, it is common for an environmental team (Read; Civil Engineers on work experience)to cordon the area, and handcrawl it to retrieve as many examples of the protected species as possible. These are then relocated to a suitable area allowing redevelopment to commence. Can't see why this wouldn't work here. Get the contractors to quote for clearing, plus a newt evacuation. Everybodys happy!!
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