Proposals for a wildlife garden on a transformed area of brownfield land at the mouth of the Ouseburn have received positive feedback from residents and organisations who attended an in-person event in January, where they had an opportunity to share feedback on what they would like to see from the space.
Now an outline planning application has been submitted to Newcastle City Council, with strong expressions of support for the scheme, which seeks to deliver an open space that will enhance the area’s ecological diversity, providing a safe haven for plants, insects and wildlife.
igloo – the B-Corp organisation behind The Malings, Lower Steenbergs Yard and proposals for Malmo and Spillers Quay – has submitted an outline proposal to develop the pocket of land, which it hopes will create a limited-access space that will complement and enhance the Ouseburn Wildlife Corridor.
igloo plans to introduce native species and employ a maintenance routine that is focused on protecting and preserving nature, and feedback from the open day – which was delivered in partnership with landscape urbanism studio Layer – supported its plans, with suggestions to restrict public access in order to deliver maximum benefit to plants and animals.
igloo will invest in the initial work to enhance the biodiversity of the site, with a community-land-trust set up for the proposed Malmo and Spillers Quay developments helping maintain the garden and ensure it has a lasting, positive impact on the area.
Alec Hamlin, development director at igloo, said: “It was wonderful to hear from the local community in Ouseburn and to see their shared passion for the ecology of this place, something we are very mindful of as responsible developers who make decisions with people, place and the planet in mind.
“This is a wonderful part of the city – an urban, vibrant place that can be enjoyed by everyone, and we want to make sure that – as it continues to evolve, there is a natural home for wildlife.”
Fred Plater, owner of Tyne Bar, said: “I'm massively in support of the plans for a Wildlife Garden; it will be a wonderful addition to the scarce green areas in Ouseburn, and it's vitally important that wildlife is nurtured in the diverse profile of Ouseburn.”
The event explored a range of ways in which the space could be used, including for educational events like moth watches, bird watching and other activities that engage people in the beauty of nature, as well as maintenance events like scything of the grassland to ensure optimisation of this natural space. There may also be opportunities to link in with other sites for activities like recording wildlife, volunteering options and membership structures for growing spaces and respite areas, like renting an allotment.
To find out more about the plans for the Wildlife Garden, visit www.ouseburnwildlifegarden.com.