The Monarch has submitted plans to King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council to make six large ponds, surrounded by a reed bed, on his land – to support local wildlife.
The ponds would ideally be built this autumn on farmland near the village of Wolferton and help local birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrate to thrive. The planning statement says the King is particularly keen to help Great Crested Newts which have suffered severe decline in Britain over the last 50 years due to the disappearance of ponds.
It says: “As well as enhancing the local landscape, the ponds will seek to strengthen the local biodiversity in both the immediate future and long-term; including supporting the population of Great Crested Newts (GCN) within the wider area.”
It adds: “Once created, the water bodies will provide a valuable water source for grazing animals as well as creating opportunities for a myriad of local wildlife including birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates within the farmed landscape.”
The ponds, which would be fenced off for the first two years while they are established, would later also be used for cattle to drink from. There have been no records of Great Crested Newts within two kilometres of the proposed site within the last 10 years. But it is hoped the new ponds and reedbeds would provide additional suitable breeding and foraging habitats for amphibians, as well as extra foraging and sheltering areas for creatures such as brown hare, badgers and hedgehogs.
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