New school path gets approval, despite concerns

A NEW walking and cycling path will be built through a Newcastle nature reserve, despite protests from wildlife activists.

- DANIEL HOLLAND

Newcastle City Council has signed off plans for a route through the Havannah Nature Reserve, to connect the Great Park estate to Hazlerigg. The asphalt walkway has sparked strong objections from environmental campaigners, with fears that the street lights that will line the path could have damaging consequences for the species within the green sanctuary.

But the local authority's planning committee approved the Newcastle Great Park Consortium’s proposals last Friday, after hearing that the track was essential for the opening of the new Great Park Academy school building.

After more than 1,600 people signed a Save Newcastle Wildlife petition opposing the scheme, campaigner Mark Gibson told last week’s civic centre hearing that the five metre-high LED lighting posts to be installed through the nature reserve would disturb animals’ breeding and foraging behaviour.