The planning application for hundreds of houses directly opposite red squirrel haven Havannah Nature Reserve – just a short distance from Woolsington Woods – is to be considered by Newcastle City Council’s planning committee no earlier than the end of May. This leaves two months to object to the plans, which not only pose a huge threat to the protected species within the reserve, including bats, badgers and great crested newts – but could see up to 500 houses on land liable to serious flooding. Increased predation from domestic pets and an influx of grey squirrels, as an inevitable consequence of a residential development in such close proximity, threatens one of the very last urban populations of red squirrels in England. There are also plans for another huge housing development on the other side of the reserve, which, combined with this application, will effectively hem in all wildlife that relies on and passes through this important green habitat and corridor. There have already been over 400 objections to present plans but we need more people to make the point that building here is just not on. You can use the template objection letter – making your own additions – following the link below: http://savenewcastlewildlife.co.uk/documents/campaign/ Please post or email your letter to alison.scott@newcastle.gov.uk, including your full name, address and postcode. Alternatively you can register and login to submit comments here: https://publicaccessapplications.newcastle.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=NXLJWFBS0EQ00 Thank you for your support.