In yet another threat to Newcastle’s wildlife, a hotel group has submitted a planning application to Newcastle City Council to install bird netting and a system that administers electric shocks to birds attempting to nest on the tower of the Tyne Bridge. Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside – the Tyne Bridge in particular – is home to the only urban colony of kittiwakes in the UK and the area is recognized as the furthest inland breeding site in the world. These beautifully pristine birds have recently been red-listed as Birds of Conservation Concern in the UK by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the RSPB. If these plans are approved they could seriously disrupt the Tyneside kittiwake’s breeding success and a decline in breeding success will be to the detriment of global populations, which are already in decline. Local planning authorities are advised to take advice from Natural England regarding planning applications for developments affecting protected species but Natural England was not consulted as part of this application. Government guidance states that applications affecting protected species must include mitigation plans detailing how the applicant will avoid, reduce or manage any negative effects to protected species but no mitigation was proposed as part of this application. To object to the proposal to prevent the Kittiwakes from nesting, please let Newcastle Council know by 16 December 2015 by emailing Jessica.Annan@newcastle.gov.uk or register and make an objection online here https://publicaccessapplications.newcastle.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=NXK4MVBSM8N00 (You must register first with your name, address and email. You will receive an email that contains a confirmation link that must be clicked. Once this is done you can login and leave your objection as well as viewing the objections of others.)