Two ponds for Great Crested Newts are to be created in open countryside several miles from Grantham.

Gregory Gilmore of Nottingham-based EMEC has received planning approval to create the ponds at Manor Farm, 1 Allington Road, Sedgebrook.

His application to South Kesteven District Council said: "Two ponds are proposed to be created in arable farmland, each pond is proposed to measure 150sq. meters with a depth of 1.5m and located in the corners of two field parcels which are presently used for arable crops.

"The ponds will form part of Natural England's District Level Licensing Scheme for great crested newts. The ponds will comprise a variety of shallows suitable for a range of amphibians as well as other fauna and flora.

"Both ponds will include a 10m wide buffer on the aspects adjacent to arable land and a 3m buffer on all other aspects, of marginal vegetation to act as additional habitat for wildlife."

SKDC planning staff noted he application site is located on the west side of Allington Road, on arable farmland in open countryside, to the north of Sedgebrook.

Community consultation delivered no letters of representation.

Their report recommended recommended approval, saying the application met a range of local and national planning policies.

"The proposed ponds are relatively small and will have no adverse effect upon the site itself or surrounding sites."

"The proposed ponds will not be visible from public vantage points and have been designed so as not to impact on the rural setting of the sites.

"The nearest residential property is the farmhouse for the land on which the ponds are to be constructed."

The report concluded: "It is considered that the ponds are an appropriate form of rural development and by virtue of the design, location and small scale will have no adverse impact on the rural context of the surrounding area."