Willian Pond
In 2014 we started a renovation programme to improve the habitat in and around Willian Pond.
The restoration works carried out included the removal of a large amount of the reed mass to increase the amount of open water, improving the pond for fish, improving access to the pond (especially for those with mobility issues), planting up the banks around the pond to increase the wildlife supported here by providing food and nesting opportunities for insects and birds.
The works were completed in 2015 and Willian Pond is now a thriving habitat for birds, flora and fauna.
Norton Pond
Following an ecological study of the area in 2016, we were excited to learn that Norton Pond is a breeding ground for the great crested newt, a European Protected Species.
The great crested newt is the largest species of newt in the UK, but they have dwindled in numbers due to a lack of suitable habitats, making this development of Norton Pond crucial to their sustainability in Letchworth Garden City.
This discovery has led to Norton Pond being designated a European Protected site, which means that the works need to be carefully managed to make sure the ecosystem is maintained.
To maintain the habitat for the newts during the breeding season, works were completed over the winters of 2016 and 2017, when the newts had moved from the pond; this work was overseen by an ecologist and archaeological consultant. In 2018, the pond was further enhanced by planting locally sourced native aquatic plants on its banks. These provide a rich egg-laying habitat for the great crested newt and provide a food source for invertebrates and other species.