Campaigners to crowd fund legal challenge to Newcastle Great Park project

Newcastle City Council faces a legal challenge over the latest phase of a long-term housing development if a campaign group can raise the funds.

Save Newcastle Wildlife has launched a petition against further development of the Newcastle Great Park project and has said it will shortly launch a Crowd Justice fundraising page.

It said the proposed development contravened both local and national planning policy.

“A judicial review will further delay building work, but it is imperative that this unlawful decision.... does not go unchecked,” the group said.

“We cannot allow endless growth and profit to be prioritised ahead of local communities, wildlife and green space.”

The council said it had approved plans for 1,200 homes and two schools which also “involves the creation of new habitats for wildlife, ecological enhancements, new playing fields, a changing pavilion, car parking and new public open spaces on what is mainly agricultural land”.

It said the application was approved last December but there had had since been lengthy talks needed to reach a final legal agreement.

Cabinet member for housing Linda Hobson said: “The approval of this big application is great news for Newcastle because its population is growing.

“If we are to continue to grow, it’s imperative we provide more housing – housing for people on all incomes so Newcastle continues to be a fair and inclusive city. That is what this application is all about.”

Newcastle Great Park is a long-term phased housing development led by the NGP Consortium, a partnership of housebuilders Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey with the support of the council.