Construction Management Company to lead the development 8no. new Council homes at Maes y Ffynnon, Bonvilston

Synergy CML then began undertaking additional site surveys, work to produce the detailed construction drawings, discharging planning conditions, engaging with the supply chain to provide estimated costs for the subcontractor works packages.

Ecological surveys undertaken in support of the proposed development have confirmed the presence of a population of Great Crested Newts (GCN) within the site.

GCN are a priority species requiring appropriate mitigation measures before development activities can commence. Current ecological advice confirms that any translocation exercise must be undertaken during a limited seasonal activity period i.e. before the end of the summer. Once the species enters hibernation, effective capture and relocation become impracticable until the following active season.

a. The services are strictly necessary: The translocation of GCN is a prerequisite to the safe progression of development and forms an essential ecological mitigation measure.

b. There is extreme and unavoidable urgency: The works must be completed before the species enters hibernation. Failure to do so would prevent effective mitigation until the following season.

c. A competitive procurement cannot be completed in time: The period remaining before hibernation is insufficient to undertake a full competitive procurement exercise and mobilise a contractor whilst still delivering the works within the ecological window.

d. The urgency is not attributable to the Council: The requirement arises from ecological survey findings and seasonal biological constraints rather than any delay or omission by the Council.

e. The circumstances could not reasonably have been foreseen: The conflicting planning conditions only came to light when activity and evidence required to discharge the planning began in November 2025. Due to conflicting planning conditions contained within the 19th October 2022 consent, it was necessary to resubmit a Section 73 Planning Application to vary Conditions. A revised Planning Consent was received on the 17th July 2026.