In August 2023, nine local planning authorities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight joined the NatureSpace District Licensing Scheme in order to provide a better system for developers, planners and great crested newts.

The District Licence Scheme allows the planning authorities to offer an alternative great crested newt licensing route to developers, and in doing so fund creation of high-quality aquatic and terrestrial habitats across the region.

The scheme offers a groundbreaking solution to the notoriously slow and complex traditional routes by streamlining the process to happen alongside the planning system. This removes risk and uncertainty for developers and speeds up the process for all scales of developments, from large nationally significant infrastructure projects, major developments to small householder extensions.

Since the successful implementation of the District Licence last year, a further three local planning authorities have joined the scheme, increasing the coverage in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to 12 planning authorities, which is supporting big wins for nature as well as development.