KING Charles has unveiled plans for six ponds at Sandringham — to help save endangered newts.
The monarch is also hoping to establish reedbeds on the royal estate this autumn to protect wildlife.
Newts have been declining in Britain due to the disappearance of ponds[/caption]
King Charles is also hoping to establish reedbeds on the Sandringham estate[/caption]
Plans submitted say the water bodies will create opportunities for birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates.
Documents suggest Charles is particularly keen on “supporting the population of great crested newts”.
The amphibious creatures have suffered a severe decline in Britain over the past 50 years due to the disappearance of ponds.
There have been no records of them within 2km of the proposed site in Norfolk in the past ten years.
A submission to King’s Lynn and West Norfolk council said: “The ponds will seek to strengthen the local biodiversity in both the immediate future and long-term.”
Planners have until September 10 to decide.
The estate is in the Norfolk coast area of outstanding natural beauty, with around 437 acres already listed as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and protected by Natural England.
The newts, a protected species under UK law, have hindered plans for 1.5million new homes by 2029.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner last year claimed that newts are “more protected than people”.
King Charles has unveiled plans for six ponds at Sandringham[/caption]