Slowworms move on so work can start on school
A colony of slowworms has moved in the nick of time for work to start on a Burry Port school playground.
The slowworms, which are limbless lizards, claimed squatters rights at Parc y Tywyn delaying the build of a new £56,000 play area.
Planning rules meant work could not start until they had moved on, and because the creatures go into hibernation from October until March, it was a race against time to start.
Carmarthenshire County Council is installing the play area through its Modernising Education Programme.
However, the start date which was due to happen in the summer, was delayed because of the slowworms.
According to planning rules, there had to be five consecutive days with no evidence of the reptiles before builders can go on site.
Ecologists tried to encourage the slowworms to move next door by putting up a barrier on the site and trying to relocate them. They have now recorded five consecutive days without any sign of the lizards.
Contractors are due to start on site by the end of this week to build the playground which will provide extra playing space to children at Parc y Tywyn, and will have marked areas for sports such as football and netball.
Education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “We are glad that the slowworms have now moved on into their new home in time for their winter hibernation. “Work can now begin on the playing area which will provide an excellent facility for the school.”
The slowworms, which are limbless lizards, claimed squatters rights at Parc y Tywyn delaying the build of a new £56,000 play area.
Planning rules meant work could not start until they had moved on, and because the creatures go into hibernation from October until March, it was a race against time to start.
Carmarthenshire County Council is installing the play area through its Modernising Education Programme.
However, the start date which was due to happen in the summer, was delayed because of the slowworms.
According to planning rules, there had to be five consecutive days with no evidence of the reptiles before builders can go on site.
Ecologists tried to encourage the slowworms to move next door by putting up a barrier on the site and trying to relocate them. They have now recorded five consecutive days without any sign of the lizards.
Contractors are due to start on site by the end of this week to build the playground which will provide extra playing space to children at Parc y Tywyn, and will have marked areas for sports such as football and netball.
Education executive board member Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “We are glad that the slowworms have now moved on into their new home in time for their winter hibernation. “Work can now begin on the playing area which will provide an excellent facility for the school.”
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