Monday 16 February 2026
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In January, the Romney Marsh Countryside Partnership (RMCP) joined forces with The Lord Whiskey Animal Sanctuary to breathe new life into an old pond beside the veterinary clinic. Ponds naturally fill in over time and hold less water but with around two‑thirds of ponds in England and Wales lost since the late 19th century, restoring these freshwater habitats has never been more important.
The clinic’s pond would fill up during wet spells, but it dried out far too early in the year for amphibians like newts, frogs and toads to thrive. RMCP spotted it as a perfect candidate for restoration through Natural England’s District Level Licensing Scheme, which focuses on creating and restoring ponds for great crested newts in key hotspot areas.
Contractor Charlie carried out the restoration work, digging a deeper pool on the southern side so the pond can hold water for longer into the summer. This extra depth gives amphibians, including great crested newts, the time they need to complete their lifecycle before the pond naturally dries out.
The hope is that this restored pond will become a thriving breeding site, boosting the local great crested newt population. RMCP will return in summer 2027 to check on its progress and carry out eDNA testing to look for signs of newt activity.
A huge thank‑you to Lord Whiskey for welcoming us onto the site. We hope visitors to the tea rooms enjoy watching the pond change and flourish over the coming seasons. We ask that visitors and their four-legged friends enjoy the pond from the banks, to ensure no negative impact on water quality through the introduction of bankside mud or flea treatments.
Key eligibility criteria for funding:
• Minimum pond size of 10 × 15 m (150 m²)
• Ponds must rely on natural substrate rather than liners
• The site must fall within a great crested newt hotspot (we can check this for
you)
If you think you might have a good spot for a new pond or a restoration project on your land, we’d love to hear from you at RMCP@Dover.gov.uk.
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Martha Noakes
Fresh Water Officer