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.