Great crested newts are one of Britain’s most protected animals. London’s most significant population lives and breeds in and around the Glebelands Nature Reserve, a vital pocket of nature sitting alongside the Great North Leisure Park (GNLP) in Finchley.
But the newts’ survival is gravely threatened by a proposed housing development. On 27 May, Mayor Sadiq Khan has the final say on whether it goes ahead.
Arada, a property development company headquartered in Dubai, wants to build 1,485 flats on the adjacent GNLP, with the tallest rising to 25 storeys.
“Dressed up in the language of “enhancing biodiversity” and “softening the edge,” what is actually being proposed is the conversion of a designated nature reserve into a back garden for 1,485 luxury flats.”
It is looking likely that the Mayor will approve the project, despite the fact that the required ecological surveys to protect the newts have not been completed. The local council already voted resoundingly against the development, but the Mayor has used his powers to “call in” the application and will make his own decision.
Save Our Newts says of Khan:
“His record in such matters gives little cause for confidence as he has approved many large, low-quality schemes that were soundly rejected by local residents and councillors.”
Great crested newts are a European Protected Species. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, it is a criminal offence to deliberately harm them, disturb their habitat, or damage the places where they rest and shelter. Before any development that could affect their habitat is approved, the law requires that full ecological surveys are carried out and appropriate mitigation measures are proposed.
Arada has not done this.
The Save Our Newts team is calling on the Mayor to reject Arada’s application. The campaigners state:
“What happens at Glebelands LNR will matter far beyond North London. It will serve as a test case for planning and environmental policy changes, and determine whether legal protections for our nature and wildlife truly mean anything when inconvenient for development.”
Sign our petition today, telling Sadiq Khan to give the great crested newts the legal protection they are entitled to.
The public consultation, asking for comments on this development, is still open. Add your views here.
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
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