Wildlife project praised but raises questions amid housing crisis
King Charles has faced pushback after unveiling new conservation plans for Sandringham, one of his most treasured royal estates.
Currently staying with the royal family in Balmoral, the King confirmed that six ponds will be created on the Norfolk grounds to help protect endangered species, particularly the great crested newt. Their population has dropped sharply in Britain over the past five decades due to the loss of natural ponds.
Charles, who has long been an advocate for environmental causes, hopes the project will not only revive newt numbers but also provide habitats for birds, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. Reedbeds are set to be established this autumn to strengthen the estate’s ecosystem.
Although praised for its environmental value, the initiative has attracted criticism against the backdrop of the UK’s housing shortage. Great crested newts, protected by law, have become a stumbling block for construction projects. Plans to build 1.5 million new homes by 2029 have been slowed by regulations designed to safeguard the species.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner previously remarked that newts seemed to be “more protected than people,” a view echoed by critics of the King’s latest decision.
Sandringham, long associated with royal gatherings and key events, remains one of Charles’s favourite estates. His latest move reflects his determination to preserve its natural environment, even as it fuels debate over competing national priorities.
