LAST week Chris Titley urged us to investigate whether the two new Great Crested Newts discovered just before the planning committee discussed the Derwenthorpe project had "migrated" on to the site or whether a colony lives there (Diary, June 2).

The surveys we commissioned from an independent environmental expert found no evidence that the species was present despite netting the pond in the area in question numerous times; conducting torchlight searches and turning over many pieces of rubble and timber in the surrounding area.

Other species were discovered and reported in our publicly-available Environmental Impact Study.

It seems that these amphibians - we are reliably informed - do not migrate as such, but forage and hibernate in suitable habitats surrounding a pond.

The pond in question is now dried up. Because both of the newts discovered are females, breeding on-site will not have occurred between these two.

The independent ecologist who undertook the Environmental Impact Study as part of our planning submission is, therefore, puzzled by their appearance.

It is illegal to handle Great Crested Newts without a licence. Our advisers will be drawing up an appropriate management plan in association with English Nature with the intention of securing a DEFRA Licence at the appropriate time.

Nigel Ingram,

Director of development and property services,

Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Updated: 11:46 Wednesday, June 16, 2004