NJT Wildlife and Landscape Protection Fund

Aim

Support expert ecology surveys to build lawful evidence protecting wildlife, habitats and rural character now and in future.

We are the Norton Heath Development Opposition Group. A formally constituted community group representing residents, landowners and supporters across Norton Juxta Twycross and surrounding villages. Our shared aim is simple. Protect our farmland, wildlife and rural landscape from inappropriate large scale development. 

We have already taken important steps. Early supporters helped secure the legal funding needed to respond to the current proposal. This means our campaign started from a position of strength, with professional advice already in place. We are not raising money to plug legal gaps. We are raising funds for the next essential stage. Independent ecological evidence. 

In the planning system, strong ecology work carries real weight. It provides objective data on habitats, species and landscape connectivity. It creates a credible environmental baseline. It helps challenge assumptions made by developers. It strengthens the community’s case both now and in any future planning rounds. Without professional evidence, local concerns risk being dismissed as opinion. With it, decision makers must engage with the facts. 

Our team includes experienced volunteers, local landowners and professional advisers. We are also supported by an independent consultant ecologist with more than a decade of planning and survey experience. Using lawful survey methods and modern technology, this work will assess a wide area of countryside to demonstrate ecological value and potential impacts of development. 

The money raised will fund ecological field surveys, species and habitat assessments, landscape impact analysis and the production of a professional ecology report suitable for use within the planning process. It will also help build a long term environmental evidence base. Developers often return with revised schemes years later. Preparing now means our community stays ready, informed and able to respond quickly. 

We operate with clear governance. Funds are held in a dedicated account with dual signatories. Updates on progress and spending are shared with supporters. Any surplus funds will be used for community benefit in line with our constitution. 

Our vision is to protect the character, biodiversity and working farmland of Norton Juxta Twycross for future generations. By funding independent ecological evidence today, we give our villages the strongest possible foundation to face both current and future development pressures.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 12th June 2026 at 7:27pm