A TINY newt has thrown a major spanner in the works on a building site in Wilmslow.

Builders had to down tools after the Great Crested Newt, protected under EU law, was discovered nearby.

Now a survey is to be carried out in Osprey Drive to find out if there are any more protected species in danger.

A spokesman for Macclesfield Borough Council said a report would be made on the ecology of the surrounding area, which includes a pond, and provision would be made for their safety if further protected species were found.

The council was alerted after residents in Osprey Drive saw the great crested newt on a nearby driveway. Their concerns for wildlife were among objections to the planning department when an application to build a house on the plot was made earlier this year.

Spokesman Arash Shayestehrll claimed planners were aware a neighbourhood pond was a habitat for the great crested newt, nonetheless planning permission was granted.

He said: "They are protected creatures and building work should never have been allowed near to their habitat. You should not build within 200 metres of the habitat, but this property is within 30 metres."

Residents, he added, were opposed to the development from the outset.

Planning department spokesman, Trevor Bithell, said English Nature had been consulted and advice would be taken in line with the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

"At the time it was not considered there was a significant risk to wildlife. We have to take a balanced view. We cannot undertake a newt survey on every planning application."

He added: "The applicant has complied with all planning requirements and has already carried out wildlife surveys on the site, including ones for bats and badgers."

The owner, Mohammed Afeq, an architect, said he had satisfied all planning conditions and a bird and bat survey had been undertaken.

"We would not do anything which would contravene planning laws, we have conformed to all regulations and conditions, wildlife experts were consulted and surveys have been done," he said.

"We will continue to comply on this matter. I am just looking forward to living in the house," he added.