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Environmental campaigners say dam would threaten rare species pose serious risk communities downstream.

They say dam will produce too little electricity worthwhile, believe are other ways securing country's energy supply.

dam's backers say most economic option Belize, will lessen its reliance on Mexican energy.

challenge building 50-metre (165-foot) high Chalillo dam being brought Belize Association Non-governmental Organisations (Bacongo).

How should look: Artist's impression dam

It asking council overturn approval dam government Belize, order studies its safety impacts, with construction halted meantime.

Among functions Privy Council, one oldest parts British Government machine, provision final court appeal those Commonwealth countries have chosen retain it.

The hearing, on 3 4 December, believed first time council has been asked rule on an environmental issue.

dam being built on Upper Macal River, one largest undisturbed areas wilderness left central America, Becol, Belizean subsidiary Canadian multinational, Fortis Inc.

Bacongo says environmental impact assessment dam, completed London firm Amec, seriously flawed.

Scarlet macaw: Only 200 left Belize

It plans tell council:

• the agreement between government Belize Fortis could drive up cost electricity
• Amec wrongly identified rock dam site granite, although softer sandstone shale
• fault lines near dam site were removed maps submitted government
• Amec's hydrological studies Macal were inadequate: height wet season river's entire flow, Bacongo says, fitted four small pipes.

Upper Macal home number rare endangered species, including tapir, national animal Belize.

Some zoologists believe has high density large cats, including jaguars, ocelots pumas.

Unable migrate

only known breeding ground Belize rare sub-species scarlet macaw, with 1,000 survivors worldwide.

Sharon Matola, founder Belize Zoo member Bacongo, told BBC News Online: "If dam built will flood macaws' nesting area.

Jaguars are attracted tapirs

"That will eventually mean their extinction Belize, where are only 200 left, because don't build nests but live holes trees - trees choose occur nowhere else country.

"Expecting macaws move elsewhere like telling penguins get used warmer weather.

"The tapirs need special vegetation you find area, plants which grow full sun so have few toxins but plenty nutrition.

"And if tapirs go, there'll nothing attract predators like jaguars area.

"The dam won't give Belize energy security - it'll produce enough power run three large hotels.

"We could burn sugar cane waste, which abundant, could go on using transmission line Mexico, join new Central American grid that's being planned."

Images courtesy copyright Bacongo.