Bridging loan

Building on the Green Belt. What could go wrong? Lots of new homes (that few can afford) and more income for our local councils struggling with Austerity. Must be a good idea.

What about the negatives? Don't ask.

Newcastle has been asked to review its decision to allow a huge development beside the Havannah Reserve. "Has this been thought through?" What is there to think about? These developments make a fortune for their backers. What more is there to say?

Work on widening the Metro bridge on Killingworth Road South Gosforth is delayed again.

This from The Newcastle Chronicle, that's what. I presume the developers are paying for a new bridge that is essential to the massive increase of motor traffic into Hadricks Mill stemming from their money spinning activities? I mean, if you want a pint of milk or a newspaper (old stuff for oldies I know) you will have to hit the road to get them. Surely, Newcastle Council Tax payers are not stumping up for this as they did the infamous Ouseburn barrage?

Details here: link.

Meanwhile Save Newcastle Wildlife is clebrating (rather too early I feel) a 'victory'. But good luck anyway.


Don’t Hem in Havannah

Newcastle City Council has resolved to take the planning application for 1,200 houses adjacent to Havannah Nature Reserve back to committee, following our proposed legal challenge.

This is a rare victory which required a lot of hard work and perseverance.

Officers were clearly concerned by the threat of legal action, otherwise they would not have backed down so quickly.

Even if we had fought and won judicial review, the application would still have gone back to the council for redetermination.

We have been advised the application will not be considered until after 1stJune.

In the meantime, we are encouraging further objections and will be submitting an enforcement complaint regarding landscaping issues in Newcastle Great Park.


A Greener Future for Newcastle?

A member of Save Newcastle Wildlife will be standing in the city council elections.


Rachel Elizabeth Locke is standing as an independent candidate in Castle Ward and will be calling for:
Greater protection for green space and Green Belt, including parks, nature reserves and allotments
Affordable housing on brownfield sites instead of executive homes on green fields
Better walking and cycling routes and an integrated public transport system to encourage people to leave cars at home to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution
A commitment from builders to actively conserve wildlife and biodiversity in all new development
More green infrastructure, such as wildflower areas, living walls, green roofs, trees and hedgerows to mitigate for air pollution, climate change and support wildlife
More bins, recycling facilities and incentives to reduce littering and waste
Commitment from local businesses to reduce waste, particularly single-use plastics

Planning Policy Peril

Local Wildlife Sites, as well as aged and veteran trees outside of woodland, are not protected under revised proposals for the National Planning Policy Framework.

We are encouraging people to respond to the consultation to demand better protection for wildlife sites and veteran trees.


The Wildlife Trusts' ‘Act Swiftly’ campaign provides more detail, while the Woodland Trust is encouraging people to support stronger planning policy for ancient woodland.

You can respond directly to the NPPF consultation here or email your comments to planningpolicyconsultation@communities.gsi.gov.uk

The deadline is 10th May 2018.