Boris Johnson’s hopes of a summer swim are being dashed by his bitter nemesis: great crested newts.
The U.K. prime minister recently submitted plans to build an outdoor pool by a newly acquired home, but the “likely” presence of the amphibians in the nearby area is halting construction, the Telegraph and BBC and reported. It comes just three years after Johnson used a speech to take aim at rules protecting the much-loved creatures.
Johnson moved to the £3.8 million, nine-bedroom house in Oxfordshire earlier this summer and soon launched into plans to build an 11 meter-by-4 meter swimming pool.
But a council officer raised concern over the development, warning it falls within “the red zone of highest risk” to great crested newts, according to the Telegraph.
Edward Church, the local council’s countryside officer lodged a holding objection, arguing Johnson’s plans may put the nearby great crested newt population in danger. Church suggested Johnson carries out a protected species survey to determine whether the ex-Tory leader can proceed with the development. British protection laws force developers to thoroughly check for newts before starting construction.
The newt news will have come as a blow to Johnson, whose rivalry with the amphibians goes way back.
During his tenure as U.K. prime minister, Johnson spoke out against the laws meant to protect great crested newts, arguing they were hurting Britain’s post-pandemic financial recovery by slowing developments.
“Newt-counting delays are a massive drag on the prosperity of this country,” Johnson said in a 2020 speech.
It seems the creatures haven’t forgotten Johnson’s crusade against them.