Plans to build a flood defence bund in Severn Stoke may finally be able to progress as permission has been given to trap newts at the construction site.

Great Crested Newts are a protected species and the Environment Agency needed special permission to make sure the creatures are not present at the site when work gets underway to build the bund protecting the village and the vital A38 road.

The news was confirmed at a village meeting where the agency briefed local people on the progress of the project and confirmed that it hopes to complete the flood bund construction before Christmas.

Work continues to assess the site, with archaeologists carrying out a series of digs to identify any matters of historical interest. Once this is concluded, full construction work will get underway this autumn.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin was briefed on the progress ahead of the meeting and offered her support as the team press on with the scheme as quickly as possible.

Harriett said:

“I am grateful that the Environment Agency project team came to present their plans to local residents and have set out a clear plan towards getting the work underway.

“It’s clearly frustrating that there are so many obstacles that have to be overcome but the team appears confident that they will be able to make headway soon.

“I’ve been campaigning for this scheme for many years and it has significantly grown from a community-led project to a multi-million pound flood protection scheme.

“I am relieved that after I lobbied Ministers, the Government was able to allocate an additional £750,000 to keep the scheme on track and I will await a positive update from the Environment Agency soon confirming spades are finally in the ground.”