IT is black, spotty and can grow up to 17cm long. And the great crested newt could hold up controversial plans for a travellers' transit camp in Southamp-ton.

The rare and protected creature is set to be the latest setback to the proposed site at Monks Brook in Swaythling.

A member of the public claims to have spotted one at the site and has reported it to the city council.

The Daily Echo sent intrepid reporter Will Carson to investigate. Our search was fruitless - but if great crested newts are discovered living on the one-acre wetland, plans to build the transit camp could be delayed and costs increased.

The great crested newt, the largest newt in Britain, is protected under UK law, but population numbers have declined in recent years due to the disruption of their habitat. The discovery could have huge implications on the Monks Brook site, recently approved as the preferred location by Southampton City Council despite a backlash from nearby residents.

If the sighting is confirmed, the site would have to undergo a survey to determine how many newts live there and where they live, delaying the planning process.

Val Pollard, from English Nature's Hampshire team, said: "If great crested newts were found on the site a sufficient survey would have to take place before any work could go ahead. The survey would have to be of a sufficient amount of time and of a good enough quality.

"It would not mean that if great crested newts were present on a site that planning could not go ahead, but the process would have to be given much more consideration."

Refused Civic chiefs refused to speculate on the implications of the finding, stating that it was too early to say what the knock-on effects could be.

A council spokeswoman said: "We have been contacted by a member of the public who believes there may be newts hibernating on the Monks Brook site.

"We have asked our ecologist to investigate and will be using their findings to inform the planning process.

"Without these findings it is difficult to say what the implications for the proposed Gypsy and Traveller Transit site will be.

"As part of the normal planning process, where issues such as these arise, the city council will investigate and study findings on ecology along with all other material considerations, as these are key pieces of evidence in the determination of a planning application."

Natalie Rodgers, of Hampshire Amphibian and Reptile Group, said that the nearest confirmed newt habitat to Monks Brook was Southampton Common, although there have been reported sightings at the University of Southampton's Highfield campus.

Have you seen a Great Crested Newt at Monks Brook? Contact Will Carson on 023 8042 4501 or e-mail will.carson@dailyecho.co.uk.