A MULTI-million pound housing development in Hampshire could be held up - by an endangered species of newt.

Conservation group English Nature has found a colony of great crested newts at Abbotswood, near Romsey, where 1,100 homes are earmarked to be built on greenfield land.

Under European law, anyone found harming the creatures faces heavy fines.

The discovery has given a boost to people living nearby who have opposed the scheme, put forward to meet government recommendations for the number of homes that must be built in Hampshire.

Protester Clea Atkinson said: "Most residents are against this scheme and this gives us some new hope.

"The development will cause massive traffic problems and it's not in keeping with Romsey."

The newts, which grow to about ten centimetres, are rare. Despite the South being the stronghold for the species there are only about 50 sites in Hampshire. Their future is under threat because of the loss of their pond breeding sites through infilling and developments.

Martin Eustace, licence holder for English Nature, said: "We found a breeding colony of newts on the site.

"The newts should be taken into account otherwise they could easily be wiped out."

He said the newts would need a pathway to get from the pond to dry land where they spend most of the year.

No developer for the site has been earmarked and the proposal will be put before councillors later this year.

Ian Carr, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, said: "We would protect anything that is there because it's national guidance that we do that.

"If and when development happens on the land, the newts will be looked after."

A spokeswoman for Test Valley Borough Council said: "Any proposals would have to take any protected species into account."

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