MELKSHAM’S new campus and sports stadiums have been delayed by a year because of a colony of newts.

An ecological study carried out by Wiltshire Council found Great Crested Newts at the proposed development site at Woolmore Farm, near Melksham Oak Community School.

Because their habitats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Conservation Regulations, it is an offence to damage them.

So until they are safely removed work cannot begin and plans are on hold to transform the site into a stadium with 11 football pitches, four rugby pitches, changing rooms and a large clubhouse with a new access road and car parking, which was meant to start this year.

A council spokesman said: “The report was carried out in October when the build on site was due to get under way. The study revealed newts – but, the removal of newts had to wait until there are five days of consecutive days of warmer weather – and could not be done over the winter months. The work to relocate the newts is now under way.”

He denied rumours the newts are being used as an excuse to delay the project because the council does not have enough money to do it now.

The news comes less than a month after Melksham Town FC paid an emotional farewell to what they thought was their last home game at The Conigre, instead they will be staying there until June 2016.

Melksham Town president  Mick Perrin said: “It’s such a big disappointment. I think it’s a real set-back.” he said.

“The thing that upsets me the most is the football and rugby club has introduced so many young people, they were all looking forward to having their own new facilities.”

The club has allowed the ground to fall into disrepair because it knew it was moving. Mr Perrin said: “We didn’t do anything, so it’s deteriorated. We’ve left it and left it and done the minimum repairs to it and sometimes it’s slightly embarrassing for other people to come to the games.”

Club chairman Dave Wiltshire added: “It’s a massive inconvenience because we were not allowed to get promoted because we had a new facility which wouldn’t be ready. The council have said they are happy for us to stay where we are and move when the time is right.

“It’s frustrating more than anything, the bottom line is all we are doing is waiting for our new place to be finished.”

Melksham Rugby Club vice-president  Bruce Sanders said: “Staying where we are until the new facilities are built is a logical move, so we are willing to work with Wiltshire Council. We are behind the campus”

The future of the million pound campus behind Market Place rests on the new stadiums being built, as work cannot start until both Melksham Town FC and Melksham Rugby FC have relocated.

Their grounds near Melksham House are set to be demolished to make way for the building.

The campus is now not expected to open until late 2017. The delay comes a month after councillor John Thomson took over from councillor Jonathon Seed as cabinet member for campuses.

But Cllr Thomson said the delay will benefit the sports teams. He said: “The change to the timetable, which has arisen due to matters out of our control, does mean a seamless transition for both clubs to their new pitches and no disruption as a result of interim arrangements.”