East Cambridgeshire Council asks for ideas to boost hedgehog numbers

Members of the public have been invited to share ideas for how to increase the number of hedgehogs.

East Cambridgeshire Council said its consultation would provide new planning guidelines for developers to consider when planning new building sites.

It said possible measures included include incorporating small holes in fences to create "hedgehog highways", allowing the animals to roam gardens.

The consultation is open until 31 May as part of hedgehog awareness week.

The Conservative-controlled council said "habitat fragmentation" was known to have contributed to a decline in hedgehog numbers in recent years.

It established a strategy to support hedgehogs after local people voted it the creature it wanted the council to focus on helping.

Hedgehogs are officially classed as vulnerable to extinction in the UK and were added to the "red list" of Britain's under-threat mammals three years ago.

A study showed hedgehog numbers had fallen by as much as 60% in the East of England over the last 30 years.

Conservative councillor Alan Sharp said: "As well as requiring developers to take positive measures to support hedgehogs it is also bringing it to the public's attention that small measures, like hedgehog holes in a fence, can really make a big difference.

"We hope as many people as possible, and especially developers, will embrace the opportunity to help the recovery of hedgehogs here in East Cambridgeshire, and that they will contribute positively to the consultation."

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