Building work halted after bizarre discovery

Builders on a new housing estate were forced to stop working immediately after a bizarre discovery was made.

Pensioner Harold Mitchell, 79, raised the alarm with the Isle of Wight Council causing them to demand workers down tools while they investigate.   

Mr Mitchell, who has lived on the road since 1996, said: 'All along the back of the gardens are slow worms.' 

Slow worms - which are lizards and are often mistaken for snakes due to their appearance - are protected under English law. 

In 2019, the Isle of Wight Council granted planning permission to develop six houses on the Medina Avenue site in Newport, which was occupied by the former driving test centre.

Workers were already clearing the site in preparation for new building works but the operation has now been halted following the worm sighting.

Now, a survey has been commissioned at the site on the Isle of Wight to investigate.

Mr Mitchell also got in contact with Cllr Oliver requested an urgent update from the community led housing officer.

He told the County Press last week: 'I am not sure if the officer is aware that slow worms are present on the site.

'I am also unaware of the extent and amount of asbestos on the site and will question him on this at the same time.'

Slow worms are protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, meaning it is an offence to kill, injure or sell them.

They suffer from habitat loss in the UK due to changing landscapes and developments.

An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said the works have been paused.

The spokesperson said: 'The Council were not aware of slow worms being on site until it was raised with them by a local resident.

'As they became aware, the Council took appropriate action, and a survey has been instructed.'

In 2019, works were halted on the same site when badgers were found living there.