Newcastle Council to Decide on Controversial Nature Reserve Path Plan

National World - LocalTV

A controversial plan to build a lit cycling and walking path through Newcastle’s Havannah Nature Reserve faces a crucial council decision this week, amid fierce opposition from wildlife campaigners and growing concerns over its environmental impact.

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00:00Plans to build a new walking and cycling route through Havana Nature Reserve here at Kingston

00:04Park are set to come before the City Council's Planning Committee. The proposed asphalt path,

00:10which would be illuminated by 5m high LED streetlights, has been heavily criticised by

00:15wildlife campaigners, who warn it could have a devastating impact on the Nature Reserve's

00:20delicate ecosystem. Groups like Save Newcastle Wildlife and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust

00:25fear that the lighting in construction will disrupt feeding and breeding patterns,

00:29particularly for protected species like bats. A petition calling for the path to be re-routed

00:34has now gathered more than 1,600 signatures and nearly 160 formal objections have been submitted

00:40in comparison to just 19 comments in support. However, City planners are recommending the plan

00:46for approval. They describe it as a positive proposal that would significantly improve walking

00:51and cycling connections in the area. Crucially, they say the route is essential for the new opening

00:57of a new high school at Newcastle Great Park, a major housing development in the north-west of the city.

01:03While planners admit there will be some environmental impact, they argue that tree planting and habitat

01:09creation elsewhere in the development will offset the damage and even lead to a net gain in biodiversity.

01:15The developers, the Newcastle Great Park Consortium, also say the path follows an existing trail and was

01:20a condition of their original planning permission. The proposals also cover another foot and cycle

01:26path to the south of the former SAGE offices on Wagonway Drive and the replacement of two existing

01:31bridges over the River Oosburn. Environmental groups and rural advocates are calling for a rethink,

01:37arguing the harm to the reserve could be irreversible. The final decisions now lies with the planning committee

01:43where it meets later this week.

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