A pioneering conservation programme funded entirely by developers is helping Great Crested Newts and other threatened species recover across England, new research shows.

Nine out of 10 compensation sites where new ponds are created or restored through the NatureSpace Licensing Schemes are occupied by Great Crested Newts once ponds become established.

Researchers analysed hundreds of ponds created and restored under the NatureSpace schemes. As well as being colonised by Great Crested Newts, 58% of ponds support regionally or nationally threatened wetland plants, while 91% qualify as ‘Priority Ponds’, a national designation for waterbodies that are important for rare or threatened species.