DUCKS have been barred from entering their own duck house following the involvement of Essex Police and wildlife officials.
Four years after Parliament was engulfed in scandal involving expense claims, a duck house has caused political red faces once more.
What was intended to be an upbeat community project to encourage wildlife to Mosbach Pond in Hutton has ended with the entrance to a wooden duck house being stuffed with a cushion by the very councillor who put it there.
For, just weeks after it was put in place, the duck house has been condemned because it may attract feathered wildlife that eat endangered great crested newts.
It was only last year that residents cleared out the small pond, off Mosbach Gardens in the Thriftwood estate.
As reported by the Gazette they were even more delighted when a pair of devoted ducks were found cruising up and down in February, three years since waterfowl were last seen.
And to add to the aesthetics, Cllr Mark Reed, who co-ordinated the clear up, had added the final touch of a happy home for any ducks wishing to breed.
The plans and efforts of the community initially went unnoticed by an anonymous female amphibian admirer – until the arrival of the duck house. Essex Police were then informed.
The woman, who does not want to be named, said: "Mosbach Pond is a breeding pond for several amphibian species including common frogs, common toads, smooth newts, palmate newts and the protected species – great crested newts.
"Their siting of a duck house is completely inappropriate and also illegal as ducks will predate the newts."
PC Adam Long, Essex Police wildlife officer, has since advised Mr Reed to remove the duck house.
He said: Wildlife Law is not simple. People are advised to seek advice from wildlife offices, Natural England or the Wildlife Trust before they do something like this.
"If the ducks want to go there on their own accord, that's fine.
"The residents have got together to improve the pond and that should be applauded but you can't do something that might attract them through human intervention."
Mr Reed, who has since blocked up the duck house, said: "I am sorry it has come to this. It was done with all the best intentions.
"But on a positive note we have a pond that is thriving beautifully."
Roy Ormsby, head of Street Scene at Brentwood Borough Council said: "We appreciate the efforts made by Councillor Reed and residents to clean up the pond. However, the duck house that has been erected might be better situated in an area where there is not a breeding population of newts and our officers are meeting with Cllr Reed this week to agree a relocation."