Work to build 1,290 new homes in Bristol can begin after officials were told to get a wriggle on for the sake of dozens of newts.

A local authority decision this week cleared the way for developer Crest Nicholson to start preparatory works for the controversial development to the east of Harry Stoke.

It’s taken at least seven years to reach the point where work can start on the project on land that was removed from the green belt to provide much needed new housing in South Gloucestershire.

But the project could have been delayed by another year had Wednesday’s decision been taken in two weeks’ time as originally planned.

And that’s because Crest could have run out of time to remove dozens of protected newts from the development site before the amphibians go into hibernation.

South Gloucestershire Councils strategic sites delivery committee approved extra conditions

Surveys indicate there are between 10 and 100 newts on the 65-hectare site south of the railway line,  a company spokesman said.

Outline planning permission for the development was granted last year, but this week's decision - the approval of extra conditions - was needed for Crest to start a long process enabling it to start removing the newts.

Great crested newts, the UK's biggest newt, are grey with spots and an orange belly.

They are protected by law, so Crest must remove them before construction works begins and provide a suitable habitat and migration corridors for them as part of the design.

Crest Nicholsons illustrative masterplan for homes in the east of Harry Stoke new neighbourhood

But the newts can only be removed during a few months of the year when they are not breeding or hibernating, and that period ends in October or November depending on the weather.

It might be months away, but that is a tight timeframe for Crest to complete all the necessary paperwork, which includes getting a licence from Natural England and further permissions from the council.

Missing that window of opportunity to remove the newts safely would have meant waiting nearly a year for it to roll around again.

So the developer requested that a planning meeting scheduled for June 27 to be brought forward to June 12.

Andrew Dobson, managing director of Crest Nicholson Strategic Projects, said: “We’re looking forward to starting work on site in 2020.

Crest Nicholsons illustrative masterplan for homes in the east of Harry Stoke new neighbourhood

"As outlined in the planning permission, the development will have a strong focus on retaining the important landscape features on site and creating better quality habitats and green corridors.

"As part of this commitment, we will be working closely with local council, environmental and community groups to secure the licence to relocate the great crested newts to a safe, protected new habitat during the construction.”

The development to the east of Harry Stoke will include a new local centre, a community hub and infrastructure improvements, but lacks public transport other than Metrobus stops.

“Viability constraints” mean only 292, or nearly 23 per cent, of the homes will be affordable - below the council’s target of 35 per cent - so Crest will seek grant funding for the 160-home shortfall.

South Gloucestershire Councils strategic sites planning committee approved extra conditions related to the ownership of land earmarked for 1,290 new homes to the east of Harry Stoke

Depending on what is agreed with NHS England, the development could have a four-GP surgery or pay towards increasing the provision elsewhere.

Nearly £17million will be secured to provide the necessary infrastructure, including a new primary school, a nursery, a community hub and transport improvements.

The development will provide 194,000 sq m of open space - equivalent to 27 football pitches - 50,000sq m more than it is required to.

Details of the layout, scale and appearance of the buildings, and the landscaping of the site, are yet to be seen and approved by the council.