Save Newcastle Wildlife is a small group of dedicated individuals making a stand for wildlife and green space in Newcastle upon Tyne.

We need your help to raise £3,500 to fight an unlawful decision that will harm wildlife and green belt in Newcastle. 

We are challenging Newcastle City Council's unlawful decision to allow development in the Green Belt, which conflicts with local and national policies to protect Green Belt, open space and wildlife. 

Last year Newcastle City Council voted in favour of Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey's application for 1,200 houses and two schools in Cell A, and sports pitches in Cell B1, of Newcastle Great Park.

Cell A is allocated for 880 houses and all school development (including sports pitches) in the Local Plan. Cell B1 is not allocated for any form of development and is designated for open space and wildlife enhancements as part of the Green Belt.

The site lies directly adjacent to Havannah and Three Hills Nature Reserve, which has one of the most diverse range of habitats, plants and animals in the whole of the North East and supports a nationally significant red squirrel population and the rare Dingy Skipper butterfly. 

Cell B1 lies to its east and was set aside for wildlife fifteen years ago, as part of a long-standing legal agreement between Newcastle City Council and Newcastle Great Park Consortium. But this agreement was never honoured, which makes these plans even more devastating. 

If this development goes ahead, 5.85 hectares of Green Belt, wildlife habitat and open space will be lost and the area would be severed by 1.8- metre-high security fencing. Significant areas of woodland and hedgerows would be razed to the ground. 

The proposed development would devastate local wildlife, which relies on the existing mosaic of woodland, grassland and hedgerows habitats at Cell B1. The endangered Willow tit – a 'rare breeding bird' with less than 1,000 breeding pairs nationally - would be lost. 

The area is also home to red-listed bird species, including Skylark, Curlew, Lapwing, Grey Partridge, Yellow Hammer, Tree Sparrow and Linnet. Bats (including the rare Nathusius Pipistrelle), Great Crested Newt, Badger and Hedgehog species would be threatened by the loss of the wildlife corridor that traverses Cell B1.

If we win, we will save Cell B1 from being developed and ensure existing trees, hedgerows and habitat are protected, as well as ensuring more hedgerows and trees are planted for wildlife and people. 

If we win, wildlife in and around Havannah Nature Reserve – particularly the endangered Red Squirrel - will get the protection it deserves. 

If we win, we can send a clear message to Newcastle City Council that unlawful decision making will not be tolerated. 

We need to raise £3,500 towards legal fees for the permission stage of Judicial Review to fight this unjust decision. 

Please pledge now to make a stand for wildlife and Green Belt.