Sainsbury's Portishead store plans blocked ... by newts

Sainsbury's plans to open a £15million supermarket have been shelved - due to a protected species of newt.

The supermarket giant hoped to build a store in Portishead, Somerset, but has been forced to put the plans on hold following protests by a local conservation group.

The firm is not allowed to start construction on the site until the population of nearby great crested newts, which are protected under European Law, are captured and removed.

The rare creatures had to be captured before the first frosts, a deadline which has been missed as the newts have now gone into hibernation until the spring.

This means Sainsbury's cannot get going on the store again until the newts are rounded up after the last frost of next spring - likely to be in March or April.

Even then, collecting the newts could take up to two months, meaning the supermarket giant could have to wait until June 2013 to be given the green light.

The newts will then have to be returned to their habitat, which includes a pond, once building work is completed.

It had been hoped that the store would open in the autumn of 2013. But this now looks likely to be delayed until the spring or summer of 2014.

Sainsbury's is understood to have applied to Natural England in the summer to move the amphibians but the conservation watchdog said there was insufficient information on the application.

A spokesman for Natural England said: "We received an application in June to move Great Crested Newts - a legally protected species - on the site of the proposed development.

"We found that there was insufficient information and a number of issues raised in the application that needed addressing before we would be able to issue a licence to move the newts.

"Having requested more information and raised a number of issues we found that a further revised proposal still raised some concerns.

"These have been outlined to the applicants and further advice offered in order to progress the case.

"We fully support sustainable growth and are doing all we can to help the applicant build a development that takes full account of the natural environment."

This is the latest glitch to hit plans for the new supermarket. Sainsbury's was forced to submit a second application after it had its original planning permission quashed by a High Court judge.

Rival chain The Co-operative applied for a judicial review after the council granted Sainsbury's planning consent last year.

Chiefs at the Co-operative, which has a store at Wyndham Way, claimed the decision was unlawful and said the opening of a new Sainsbury's would take people out of the town centre and could force it - and
other stores - out of business.

The second application - which has remained unchallenged by The Co-operative Group, was approved this spring.

Sainsbury's regional town planning manager, Bruno Moore, said: "We have now applied for a great crested newt licence several times but have been delayed while Natural England considers each amended application.

"To meet guidelines we need 60 clear days during the suitable season, so we cannot now start on site until next spring."