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Songbird triumphs over vast development plan
Controversial plans for a vast housing development in Kent have been scrapped at the 11th hour - after a campaign by environmentalists.
The land at Chattenden on the Hoo Peninsula near Rochester, is a nationally protected Nightingale habitat - and the planning decision had been taken over by Government.
But the developers withdrew their application to build - just months before a public inquiry was due. Sarah Saunders spoke to Greg Hitchcock, Kent Wildlife Trust; leader of Medway Council Alan Jarrett and Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst.
- Tom Savvides
Birds v Homes
A small colony of nightingales could scupper plans for a major housing development in Medway. This report from Tom Savvides includes interviews with Paul Outwaite from the RSPB and councillor Jane Chitty.
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Nightingales scupper housing plan: Natural England statement
Nightingales scupper housing plan: Medway statement
Medway Council has issued a statement in response to the news that eighty-four nightingales may have scuppered a biggest housing project in the area.
Nightingales send housing planners back to the drawing board
Eighty-four nightingales may have scuppered the biggest housing project in Medway.
For 18 years a new town with 5,000 homes and 5,000 jobs has been earmarked for the former army base at Lodge Hill, near Hoo.
But in a surprise move its wildlife has been given a top protection order - so the scheme's been delayed.
Natural England, a government agency, has made Lodge Hill a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) after a survey found rare nightingales flooded in after the army left, largely protected by the site's 7ft fence.
Nightingales return to Sussex
Twitchers are flocking to an RSPB reserve in Sussex to see the return of the nightingales. Populations of the spring warblers have declined over the last 40 years but Pulborough Brooks has become a stronghold for the threatened species.
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- ITV Report