The precious York city wildlife refuge at Severus Hill is under threat from developers.

This 4-acre site is a former reservoir in York that has become overgrown with trees, shrub, and grassland and is now designated as a Site of Importance to Nature Conservation.

It is rich in wildlife, including foxes, hedgehogs, voles, tawny owls, woodpeckers, waxwings, and sparrowhawks. Any development would be devastating to local biodiversity and it is imperative that we safeguard this land.

In 2017, a bid to build 43 houses on this site was refused, however, with the land up for sale, further bids to develop the area are anticipated.

Our aim is to purchase this plot in order to protect it from potential development, while helping it thrive as a haven for nature.