Waste management company SITA UK's plans for a new country park, called Holywell Woods, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne have been rejected by North Tyneside Council (NTC).

The project was to include two-kilometres of new off-road cycle routes to link in with the existing Reivers cycle route and six-kilometres of improved footpaths and bridleways.

The associated planting programme would have included 27 hectares (66.7 acres) of woodland, 2.7km of hedgerow and 64 new avenue trees. Plans also included a new 1.7km stream to nurture local wildlife.

The plans were rejected due to them incorporating a 19-hectare (46-acre) extension of the 50-hectare (123-acre) Seghill Landfill site, near the village of Backworth. The plans had already been approved by Northumberland County Council and SITA UK is considering appealing the NTC's decision.

SITA UK is a subsidiary of SUEZ ENVIRONNEMENT, a global recycling and waste management company, which also works on restoring landfill sites into habitats for nature and animals.