14 - Tyne and Wear Lowlands : Analysis: Ecosystem Services

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Fertile soils
• Water availability
• Offshore sea bed

State – The NCA is predominantly urban with totalled farmed area covering 32 per cent of the NCA. Forty eight percent of agricultural land is Grade 3, mainly located south in rural areas and around urban settlements. Small extent of grade 2 land occurs along the flood plain of the River Wear.

In 2009 arable and horticultural land accounted for 56 per cent of the farmed area, while livestock was 19 per cent.

In Tyneside, fishing remains a commercial activity, main species being; cod, haddock, whiting, plaice, lemon sole and monkfish. North Shields is the biggest prawn port in England.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – Largely urban, the NCA has mixed land use with limited scope for increasing food production.

Improved soil quality and structure will assist agricultural productivity, improved water quality, reduced soil erosion and improved resilience to the predicted effects of climate change such as droughts and heavy rainfall will help maintain outputs and bring environmental benefit.

Fishing remains one of the main commercial activities in Tynemouth with North Shields being a main fishing port. The North Sea remains an important fishing ground providing spawning, nursery and feeding areas for many species of fish.

Overfishing is limiting the size of the fish stocks of the North Sea and efforts are being made to reduce the numbers of juvenile fish caught and limit the by catch. Spawning and nursery areas are vulnerable to activities such as sewage sludge dumping and dredging.

Opportunities – Encourage good agricultural management of land for food production and grazing to ensure its long term viability.

Encourage take-up of agri-environment schemes in order to protect soils and improve water quality bringing long term benefits to food production.

Promote sustainable fishing practices to protect the inshore fishery and commercial fish stocks within the marine environment.

Address water quality and protect estuarine habitats to ensure continued populations of fish and crustaceans.

Encourage fishermen to avoid incidental damage from fishing, for example, by-catches or disturbance to sensitive benthic habitats.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Food provision
• Water availability
• Biodiversity
• Climate regulation
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Semi-natural broadleaved woodland and small conifer plantations
• Estates and parklands

State – Small conifer plantations, semi-natural woodlands such as ash and oak occur on the valley slopes, particularly in County Durham along the rivers Wear and Derwent.

Country estates and parklands located throughout rural areas often contain mixed woodland and parkland trees.

Approximately 40 per cent of woodland cover is on ancient woodland sites.

Forestry Commission data from 2012 shows that 19 per cent of existing woodland is found on statutory sensitive sites with other woodland in urban areas and on agricultural land.

Lack of management of broadleaved woodland and parkland trees has resulted in over mature stock. without young trees to replace them.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – There is potential for increasing timber production as recent data (2012) shows that there is capacity to increase woodland cover on statutory sensitive sites, agricultural land and in urban areas for biodiversity, recreation and contribution to landscape character. This is particularly relevant in and around urban areas. There should also be opportunities to supply timber/woodfuel.

Mixed, broadleaved woodland should be maintained by replacing stock with young trees.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to create new woodlands for recreation, biodiversity and timber, east of the River Derwent by promoting greater involvement of local communities in the management, planting and care of woodlands and trees in their neighbourhoods by encouraging new community forest schemes.

Ensure new timber provision/woodland planting considers location, native species, and composition to enhance biodiversity and woodland character and encourage planting that extends/improves links between, isolated woods and restores hedgerows and species- rich grasslands.

Plant new woodlands on former industrial/derelict land providing it is not of existing biodiveristy value, particularly in urban settlements, ensuring design and tree species fit with the surrounding landscape and allowing capacity for timber provision.

Through agri-environment schemes, manage broadleaved woodland and parkland trees to ensure young trees replace over mature stock including protecting woodlands from browsing by livestock or wild animals.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Timber provision
• Pollination
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating water quality
• Climate regulation
• Regulating soil erosion
• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Recreation
• Tranquillity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rivers Tyne, Wear, Derwent and Browney
• Rainfall

State – The NCA does not overlay major aquifers. Where assessed, surface water resources have ‘water available’ status. The upper third of the NCA lies within the Tyne CAMS (Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy) area containing the lower part of the River Tyne and its confluence with the River Derwent. The remainder of the NCA lies in the Wear CAMS area and contains part of the River Wear and the confluence with the River Browney.

In urban areas, gardens and industrial/office buildings can be modified to improve water availability, particularly from heavy rainfall.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – There is a high demand for potable water in this area for domestic and industrial use making this NCA a net importer of water.

High rainfall and impervious rocks of the adjacent Borders Moors and Forests and the North Pennines NCAs are exploited through construction of major reservoirs including Kielder Water and Derwent Reservoir in adjoining, upland NCAs. The water supply is maintained by a transfer system that moves water down from these reservoirs into the Tyne and the Wear Lowlands.

Interception, infiltration and harvesting of water should be encouraged in urban areas by incorporating rain gardens, rain harvesting, swales and green roofs into new and existing developments which also provide wildlife habitats.

Opportunities – Work with the Environment Agency to ensure water levels are maintained through water transfer networks.

Support sustainable urban developments which include rain harvesting, swales and green roofs.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Water availability
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating water quality

No information available.

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Existing woodland

State – Woodland covers 9 per cent of the NCA; well-wooded areas are on steep valley sides, estate trees and plantations/mixed woodland on restored spoil heaps.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – There is moderate potential for biomass through managing existing/unmanaged woodlands and on land restored from current and future open cast mining, to create by-products where commercial timber is produced.

Soils in southern and western areas are likely to produce high yields for short rotation coppice with medium or low potential elsewhere. The potential miscanthus yield is medium, but high in a few areas along the Tyne estuary.

For information on the potential landscape impacts of biomass plantings within the NCA (Refer to the tables on the Natural England website).

Opportunities – Ensure appropriate woodlands are managed to produce surplus timber as wood fuel and explore opportunities to increase miscanthus and short rotation coppice in suitable areas to service demand from high urban populations.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Biomass energy
• Timber provision
• Climate regulation

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Woodland
• Lowland heathland
• Semi-natural grassland
• Intertidal habitats
• Marine environment

State – Main soil types have medium or low carbon content with small areas of high carbon soils associated with the limited heathland and wetland habitats in the NCA.

Arable farming is likely to involve high input fertilisers which release greenhouse gases and intensive livestock production produces greenhouse gases through release of methane and damage to soil structure (compaction) caused by poaching.

Woodland stores carbon and covers 4,295 ha or 9 per cent of the NCA.

In built-up urban areas which are dominant in this NCA, man-made surfaces absorb heat, becoming hotter than the surrounding area and creating heat islands, although urban street trees and green spaces help reduce the impact.

Predicted sea level rise may exacerbate coastal erosion and more frequent flooding may impact on rivers.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – Improving/maintaining soil quality and structure increases carbon soil content which is more resilient to droughts and heavy rainfall.

Good farming practices and sustainable land management interventions can help reduce the release of greenhouse gases.

There is potential to increase woodland in appropriate areas in the NCA (see timber provision).

Introducing new green spaces in and around settlements will help reduce urban heat islands.

As sea level rises, new defences may be required to protect large settlements and infrastructure but this could cause coastal squeeze impacting on intertidal habitats and loss of geological features.

In flood plain areas, increased flooding may lead indirectly to more flood defences which may impact on natural river processes/riverine habitats.

Opportunities – Increase organic matter and improve soil structure by establishing areas of permanent or semi-natural grassland without cultivation to allow build up of soil carbon.

Employ minimum tillage, plant green manure/cover crops and apply low intensity grazing regimes to reduce release of methane and reduce poaching.

Increase the extent and actively manage, existing woodland by encouraging a diverse structure and native tree species. Instigate coppicing where appropriate.

Explore opportunities to deliver plans for afforestation by developing community forest schemes.

Seek opportunities to sustain and increase urban greenspace, including green roofs and street trees, in town centres and high density residential areas.

Explore opportunities outlined in the shoreline management plans to manage the transition between defended and undefended sections of coast while protecting property and infrastructure against erosion and sea flooding. Allow natural development of undefended sections of frontage where possible.

Create multi-functional flood storage areas and restore water meadows on lowland flood plains, on rivers such as the Derwent and Team, to reduce flood risk and enhance biodiversity and landscape.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Climate regulation
• Timber provision
• Biodiversity
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating soil quality
• Regulating soil erosion
• Pollination
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Recreation

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rocky headlands, sea cliffs, foreshore outcrops
• Marine environment
• Intertidal mudflats and salt marsh
• Sandy beaches

State – Although small, the coastal area varies from the sandy beaches and sea cliffs of Prior’s Haven (Tynemouth) to an estuarine environment characterised by quay walls and intertidal flats at the Fish Quay, North Tyneside.

Defended sea fronts backed by cliffs or dunes lie between hard rock headlands and foreshore outcrops. A small part of the coastline is designated (Ramsar, SSSI and SPA).

The rock features form partial barriers to movement resulting in formation of individual bays which are relatively independent of each other and erosion is low as sediment transportation is limited due to lack of sediment supply.

Historic cliff top erosion rates are also relatively low, reaching a maximum of around 0.3 m per year.

Tyneside is a major commercial port for fishing and navigation of sea vessels (sea ferry terminal), with some mineral and waste disposal requiring access to water- borne transport.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – Management of the coastline is supported by two SMPs covering north and south of the Tyne estuary (Northumberland and North Tyneside Shoreline Management Plan 2: Scottish Border to River Tyne, Environment Agency, 2009; River Tyne to Flamborough Head Shoreline Management Plan 2, Environment Agency, 2007) respectively. Both generally recommend a coastal defence policy of ‘hold the line’ with limited scope for ‘no active intervention’ and ‘managed realignment’.

Climate change trends suggest sea level rise and more frequent storm events may exacerbate coastal erosion and flooding. This may lead to loss of intertidal salt marsh and mud flats within the mouth of the River Tyne, dune erosion at Tynemouth Longsands, loss of geological features through cliff erosion, and loss of habitats due to coastal squeeze.

In the longer term, there is potential risk of tidal flooding in the lower River Tyne affecting settlements in the Newcastle and Gateshead areas.

Where feasible, no further construction of defences should occur, allowing cliffs to erode naturally. However, in South Tyneside, the SMP outlines the need to build greater width into existing defences to protect settlements, which may cause steepening of beaches and loss of amenity.

While hard sea defences are required to protect commercial and industrial infrastructure and built heritage, they also limit the extent of coastal habitats which can provide natural defences by absorbing the energy of the tides.

Opportunities – Ensure coastal management policy is fully integrated into regeneration plans along with a sustainable approach to land use planning.

Where feasible, seek opportunities to allow natural coastal processes to occur and support policies that protect natural, cultural and built heritage of the coastal area.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating coastal erosion and flooding
• Regulating water flow
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Recreation
• Tranquillity
• Geodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rivers Tyne, Wear, Derwent, Browney
• Woodlands
• Soils
• Semi-natural grasslands

State – For information regarding the current state of water quality within this NCA, refer to the Environment Agency (Draft river basin management plan maps).

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – The chemical status of water bodies is affected by disused mines but improved treatment facilities are leading to improvements. Migratory fish, including salmon, trout and lampreys, now pass up the rivers to spawn.

Integrated management of watercourses and river corridors to restore riparian vegetation and increasing woodland cover on slopes and valley sides will help reduce sediment/nutrient run-off and improve biodiversity and landscape character.

Sustainable moorland management upstream in the North Pennines and the Borders, Moors and Forests NCAs, will improve the quality of the water that enters this NCA.

With much of the NCA classified as urban, water quality is also affected by run-off from urban areas and urban drainage systems.

Opportunities – Reduce the impact of poor water quality by pumping out polluted water.

Restore and maintain permanent grassland, scrub, woodland, wetland habitats along watercourses to reduce sediment/nutrient run-off. Increase planting of broadleaved woodland on valley slopes to improve infiltration of water, reducing soil erosion and leaching of pollutants into surface and ground waters.

Encourage practice of sustainable land management interventions (as outlined under climate regulation).

Promote sustainable moorland management in the adjacent upland NCAs such as grip blocking to preserve peat and reduce downstream flooding and encourage woodland planting on valley slopes in upland areas to control water flow and reduce run-off.

Reduce surface run-off from permanent pastures by encouraging reduced livestock densities and ensure animal feeding areas are carefully placed to avoid pollution of watercourses.

Work with land managers and farmers to encourage/promote nutrient management planning, precision farming, Nitrate Vulnerable Zone updates and one-to-one training.

There are opportunities to develop sustainable urban drainage systems in new developments to improve infiltration and water quality.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Biodiversity
• Sense of place/inspiration

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Rivers, Tyne and Wear and their tributaries
• Woodland
• Semi-natural habitats
• Soils

State – Main river catchments in this NCA are the Tyne and Wear catchments. Settlements with the greatest fluvial flood risk are Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead on the River Tyne and Durham and Chester-le- Street on the River Wear.

The headwaters of the rivers Tyne and Wear lie in the Border, Moors and Forests and North Pennines upland NCAs. Here, during periods of heavy rainfall, rapid run-off can cause downstream flooding in the lowlands. The North Pennines NCA is identified as a priority area for woodland planting to reduce downstream flood risk (Yorkshire & North East England Water for Woodland Project, Phase 1: Opportunity Mapping Final Report, Samantha Broadmeadow and Tom Nisbet, Forest Research, March 2013).

A regional water transfer network involving major reservoirs of Derwent Water (North Pennines NCA) and Kielder Water (Border Moors and Forests NCA) provides potable water for the conurbations of Tyneside and Wearside.

Predicted sea level rise (climate change), may increase tidal flooding and storm surges, affecting the Tyne estuary.

High-density residential and industrial areas in town centres have highly sealed and impermeable surfaces causing rapid run-off and flash flooding.

Main beneficiary – Regional

Analysis – Increased risk of run-off from upland NCAs in the North Pennines and Borders, Moors and Forests, may affect the lower stretches of the Tyne and Wear and sustainable moorland management, and woodland planting should be encouraged to improve infiltration of rainfall.

There are limited opportunities to address control of flood flows within this NCA, due to the rivers flowing through narrow incised valleys and the high level of urbanisation with engineered channels.

The regional water transfer network helps to maintain water flows and to an extent, control flood flows.

In large, urban settlements, rapid run-off and flash flooding caused by impermeable surfaces, pressurises underground surface water and sewerage infrastructure, but could be reduced through sustainable urban drainage.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to promote sustainable moorland management in the adjacent upland NCAs such as grip blocking to preserve peat and reduce downstream flooding and woodland planting on valley slopes to control water flow.

Maintain the existing regional water transfer network.

Seek opportunities to increase urban green space and woodland cover to intercept and infiltrate rainfall and impede run-off into the drainage systems and rivers.

Encourage sustainable urban drainage such as rain gardens, swales and green roofs into new and existing developments to attenuate water and provide wildlife habitats.

Create multi-functional flood storage areas and restore water meadows on lowland flood plains, on rivers such as the Derwent and Team, to reduce flood risk and enhance biodiversity and landscape.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating water flow
• Timber provision
• Regulating water quality
• Water availability

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Soils
• Semi-natural habitats

State – Slowly permeable, seasonally wet, slightly acid, but base-rich loamy and clayey soils cover 58 per cent of the area, and slowly permeable, seasonally wet, acid loamy and clayey soils cover 23 per cent. These soil types are easily damaged when wet suffering compaction and/or capping.

A small proportion of higher carbon soils are associated with limited heathland and wetland habitats in the NCA.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – These soils are easily damaged when wet by compaction and capping which can occur when using heavy machinery, over-stocking (poaching) and location of feed or watering points. This reduces the soil quality and capacity for rainfall infiltration which results in sediment run-off. This can be addressed by reducing grazing levels, managing the provision of feed, and increasing the organic content of soils.

Arable productivity can increase the risk of compaction and capping of soils as organic matter is reduced. However, this can be improved by adoption of good farming practices and take-up of Environmental Stewardship schemes to maintain good soil structure and increase organic matter.

Opportunities – Encourage sustainable land management practices for arable and livestock production and woodland planting as outlined in climate regulation section.

Ensure well-timed cultivations (preferably early autumn) and avoid using farm machinery in wet conditions.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating soil quality
• Regulating soil erosion
• Food provision
• Biodiversity
• Climate regulation
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow
• Regulating soil erosion

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Soils
• Semi-natural habitats
• Woodland

State – The main soil types in this NCA are at low risk of soil erosion, but are easily compacted or capped in wet conditions or where livestock levels are high.

There are no priority catchments designated under the ECSFDI.

Woodland planting on steep-sided valleys can help reduce soil erosion.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Compaction and capping of soils when wet can damage soil structure and increase erosion by surface water run-off.

Opportunities for increased woodland planting can provide shelter from the wind and improve soil strength and stability, thereby reducing erosion.

Opportunities – Encourage sustainable land management practices for arable and livestock production and woodland planting as outlined in the climate regulation section.

Ensure well-timed cultivations (preferably early autumn) and avoid using farm machinery in wet conditions.

Increase woodland cover, particularly on steep valley sides to improve soil stability while increasing, infiltration of water and strengthening biodiversity and landscape character.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Food provision
• Biodiversity
• Climate regulation
• Regulating water quality
• Regulating water flow
• Timber provision

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Semi-natural vegetation
• Estates and parklands
• Country parks
• Local nature reserves
• Gardens
• Roadside verges
• Woodland

State – Semi-natural vegetation is fragmented as the NCA is largely urban, but there are gardens, parklands and common land.

There are few hedgerows and hedgerow trees dividing highly productive arable land.

Woodland cover is low except for steep-sided river valleys, country estates and parklands.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – Pollinating insects need a range of semi-natural habitats, particularly species-rich grassland which are few in the NCA. However, there are potential nectar sources from the limited woodlands and hedgerows, and on estates and parkland in rural areas. In urban settlements, the many gardens, along with country parks, common land and road verges can provide further pollination opportunities.

Opportunities – Create a network of habitats that provide nectar sources such as hedgerows, species-rich grassland and broadleaved woodland.

Create, restore and maintain existing hedgerows and woodlands.

Encourage sustainable farming practices such as uncropped field margins and planting of pollen and nectar mixes that will increase habitat connectivity.

Carefully time the management of boundary features and roadside verges to extend flowering time.

In urban areas, seek opportunities to encourage wildlife gardens by growing plants that provide nectar sources for pollinators. Replace traditionally planted areas in parks, verges and roundabouts with wildflower meadows.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Pollination
• Food provision
• Pest regulation
• Biodiversity
• Timber provision
• Food provision
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Tranquillity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Woodland
• Hedgerows
• Roadside verges
• Gardens
• Estates and parkland

State – A variety of semi-natural habitats support populations of pest-regulating species (invertebrates, birds and mammals). In the NCA these habitats are fragmented due to urbanisation and agriculture.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – There is some evidence to suggest that certain habitats such as hedges, flower-rich buffer strips and unimproved grassland can support populations of beneficial predator species of insects providing nectar and shelter. Scope to create and extend them is limited due to fragmented semi-natural habitats and urbanisation of the area. However, gardens and country parks may offer additional opportunities in urban settlements.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to support pest-regulating species by increasing hedgerows and field margins around farmed land, planting new woodlands in appropriate areas, promoting wildlife gardening schemes in urban settlements and planting flower-rich grassland on roadside verges.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Pest regulation
• Pollination
• Biodiversity
• Food production
• Recreation

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Native, broadleaved, wooded river valleys
• Estates and Parkland
• Green spaces (Local Nature Reserves, country parks)
• Riverside cities with historic buildings
• Restored/reclaimed land/spoil heaps
• Extensive conurbations of Tyneside and Wearside and mining villages in south
• Tyneside port and estuary
• Coastline of rocky cliffs and limited sandy beaches.

State – This gently undulating landscape is characterised by well-wooded, incised river valleys and mixed land use, resulting from the reclamation of ex-industrial (coalmining) sites. These have often been transformed into recreational or wildlife sites of woodland plantations, paddocks on former spoil heaps and wetlands on open cast extraction sites but some derelict brownfield sites have developed high biodiversity value.

The spreading conurbations of Tyneside have dense networks of road and rail links with an urban fringe of small paddocks, pony grazing and sheds, but further south a more rural character prevails with dispersed settlements and towns and wide stretches of large, regular, arable fields, few hedgerows and pastures.

Distinctive historical and cultural riverside cities include Durham with its rich ecclesiastical heritage located on high rock bluff within a sharp meander on the river Wear and densely-wooded, river banks and Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead heavily influenced by Victorian industrial heritage and distinguished by a series of dramatic 19th- and 20th-century bridges.

A small but varied coastline occurs between Whitley Bay and South Shields of mud, sand and rocky foreshore with fragmentary sand dunes and the heavily modified, Tynemouth estuary has a busy commercial fishing quay and terminal for sea ferries to Norway and Denmark, This is also a conservation area for its important built heritage.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – Heavily influenced by human intervention, particularly the legacy of coal mining, while semi-natural habitats have reduced and ex-industrial land reclaimed to new uses, these are largely of amenity value and of importance for engaging large urban populations with the natural environment, particularly if they contained semi-natural habitats.

The urban conurbations of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead are expanding as pressure for development on the greenbelt for housing, and business continue and city centres are regenerated, particularly along the River Tyne.

Urban settlements are a key feature of the NCA and the crossing points of the rivers Tyne and Wear were crucial in developing the cities of Durham and Newcastle which expanded during the industrial revolution along with smaller settlements of Spennymore, South Shields, and mining villages around Durham.

Inspiration is offered by the industrial heritage of Newcastle, Tynemouth and the historic core of Durham with its towering cathedral and beech/oak-clad banks of the Wear. Artists inspired by the area include J.M.W. Turner and recently, Antony Gormley and his famous sculpture, ‘Angel of the North’.

The coastline and marine area offers recreation for visitors and local people and the busy Tyneside port with its ferry services and fishing industry is commercially important.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to improve the urban fringe through careful design and integration of ex-industrial sites as part of the green infrastructure, ensuring links with the wider countryside.

Excepting brownfield sites of high biodiversity value, ensure planning policies support the creation of semi-natural habitats on reclaimed land such as native woodland, grassland, reedbeds, wet pastures and areas of open water and improve access for quiet recreational uses such as walking, cycling and horse riding.

Ensure developments respect local settlement patterns, using traditional building materials.

Adopt a sustainable approach to land use, planning and management of the shoreline, ensuring that areas of regeneration consider minimal impact on coastal and estuarine habitats and allow for access and enjoyment by walkers.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Sense of place/inspiration
• Sense of history
• Recreation
• Tranquillity
• Biodiversity
• Geodiversity
• Regulating coastal erosion and flooding

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service – 

• Permian rocks overlying Coal Measures
• Rivers Tyne and Wear
• World Heritage Sites (Hadrian’s Wall and buffer zone, Durham Cathedral and Castle)
• Tyneside bridges
• Ecclesiastical monuments
• Estates and Parklands
• Medieval settlement patterns and 18th/19th century mining villages
• 18th century sandstone buildings
• Victorian mining terraces of brick and slate, post-war housing
• Tyneside Port

State – There is evidence of Roman occupation in the eastern end of Newcastle upon Tyne (Hadrian’s Wall) and historic Durham City has a strong medieval character with its Norman castle and cathedral rising from incised cliffs of the River Wear.

Evidence of the recent industrial past is linked to coal mining including locally prominent, coal spoil heaps and artefacts of mining; waggon ways, tramways and coke ovens.

Further south, beyond the built up areas, there is evidence of deserted medieval villages and associated ridge-and-furrow.

The built heritage includes mid 18th century buildings of local sandstone and grey or red brick mining terraced housing with grey slate roofs.

Along the coast, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats, Tynemouth, and North Shields Fish Quay are all conservation areas including 19th and 20th century sea defences and Grade II listed buildings mainly; Fish Quay; North Pier and Lighthouse, Prior’s Haven, Tynemouth Priory and the Grand Hotel, Tynemouth.

Main beneficiary – International

Analysis – The urban settlements have strong heritage due to the long history of settlement from the Bronze age, Roman (including Hadrian’s Wall) to the ecclesiastical monuments of Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle – a reminder of the church’s power in the Palantine of Durham.

The underlying Coal Measures have been a huge economic as set enabling an extensive period of coal mining from Roman/medieval origins to the 19th century which transformed the settled landscape. New pithead villages emerged and industrial infrastructure developed. Coal mining along with ship building continued to the 20th century when urban centres such as Newcastle, Jarrow and Gateshead expanded.

High quality engineering developed during the Industrial Revolution personified in the Tyne bridges, but those in Durham are of Norman or medieval origin.

In 1936, the famous protest march against unemployment and poverty in the north-east of England set out from Jarrow and over 200 people walked 300 miles to Westminster to lobby Parliament.

Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham City were built at strategic bridging points across the Rivers Tyne and Wear and have World Heritage Sites; Hadrian’s Wall, Durham Castle and Cathedral.

Industrial prosperity is reflected in the large number of 18th- and 19th-century country houses, set within parkland in the vicinity of major settlements and post-war housing is prominent in the planned new town of Washington.

Opportunities – Protect and maintain buildings of historic importance and encourage use of traditional building materials and styles in repairing and restoring historic buildings.

Conserve the character of mining settlements.

Raise awareness and increase interpretation facilities relating to the extensive local history of the area and its national importance in relation to our industrial heritage for local populations and visitors.

Protect and maintain buildings of historic importance including Newcastle’s Roman and Victorian heritage, the medieval character of Durham. World Heritages Sites (Hadrian’s Wall, Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral) and Conservation Areas of Tynemouth.

Encourage use of traditional building materials for appropriate developments, contributing to the strong heritage in the NCA.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Sense of history
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Recreation
• Geodiversity
• Regulating coastal erosion and flooding

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Steep-sided river valleys
• Rivers Tyne and Wear
• Estates and parklands
• Tyne estuary
• Coastline
• Marine environment
• Local green spaces (including country parks and Local Nature Reserves)
• Common land

State – Most of the NCA has a low tranquillity threshold due to widespread urbanisation. Some of the densest coverage in the north of England occurs in this NCA (CPRE Map of Tranquillity 2006).

There are a large number of green spaces throughout the NCA offering recreation and areas of tranquillity. This includes several country estates and parklands on the outskirts of settlements and dramatic riverside walks along the incised river valleys of the Tyne and Wear. There are new open spaces and wetlands created from spoil heaps, some now used as country parks and Local Nature Reserves.

Main beneficiary – Local

Analysis – High levels of intrusion (mainly visual and auditory) reduce tranquillity in the NCA. Since the 1960s there has been a significant expansion of disturbed areas along the A1 corridor and around the Newcastle upon Tyne conurbation.

Local parks and green spaces such as the Moor in Newcastle and the incised wooded valleys such as are found in county Durham, offer relative tranquillity in a largely urbanised area and are highly valued by the local populations.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to create more parks, pocket parks, Local Nature Reserves and other green spaces within urban areas, to provide places of relative peace and tranquillity.

Ensure new developments close to undisturbed areas and green spaces are sensitively designed, minimising light spill and of sympathetic, visual design.

Maintain and increase the extent of woodland cover in appropriate areas and support new community forest schemes to increase woodland cover in urban areas.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Tranquillity
• Recreation
• Sense of history
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Geodiversity
• Biodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Network of public footpaths and bridleways including Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail
• World Heritage Sites (Hadrian’s Wall, Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle)
• Tyneside coastline
• Post-industrial restoration sites and country parks
• Estates and parkland
• Waldridge Fell (common land)
• Rivers Tyne and Wear
• Well-wooded, steep sided valleys

State – Four percent (1,803 ha) of the NCA is publically accessible with 655 km of public rights of way at a density of 1.4 km per km2. There is also 24 km of Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail and a 23 km National Cycle Route (Newcastle to Whitley Bay).

There are 15 registered parks and gardens.

Restoration of post-industrial sites offer access to valuable greenspace in urban areas and can contribute to improved health and wellbeing.

Some country estates set in parkland close to urban settlements may offer visitor opportunities.

The urban settlements within the NCA have distinctive character and are internationally important tourist attractions including for their World Heritage sites; Hadrian’s Wall, Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle.

Regeneration of former quaysides of Newcastle and Gateshead provide vibrant cultural and recreational experiences for local people and visitors.

The coastal area is popular with local people and visitors for beach use, watersports and walking.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – The National Trial (Hadrian’s Wall) and Cycle Route offers recreation opportunities for urban dwellers from the city out to the countryside and coast. Post-industrial restoration has resulted in the creation of urban green spaces and country parks linking to networks of footpaths and cycle routes which were originally old wagonways and railway lines from the former coal industry. Former deep cast mining sites have been transformed into amenity ponds and lakes and there are dramatic riverside walks along the rivers Tyne and Wear.

Local greenspace provides opportunities for recreation and outdoor education close to where people live, allowing local communities to enjoy the natural environment, take action to improve it and to benefit from the health and social rewards it affords them.

There are many country estates set in parkland close to urban settlements in the NCA but most are private residences and not publicly accessible, but there may be opportunities to develop tourism initiatives.

There are many tourism and recreation opportunities in the distinctive towns and cities in the NCA due to its varied history and culture, which includes the legacy of the Industrial Revolution (coalmining and shipbuilding) and the ecclesiastical heritage of Durham with its World Heritage Site.

Art and culture flourishes in the NCA including regeneration of the quaysides in Newcastle and Gateshead which have transformed former derelict industrial land and buildings into a thriving public space, particularly the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and The Sage Gateshead music centre, a contemporary, iconic building designed by Norman Foster.

Along the coast. Caravan sites are scattered along Tynemouth and popular resorts include Whitley Bay and South Shields for beach use, watersports and walking.

Opportunities – Seek opportunities to create appropriate access for all abilities to brownfield and urban green spaces for their wildlife and recreational value, and improve links to the network of footpaths and old railway/tram lines onto these sites.

Promote opportunities in the urban areas to improve health and wellbeing of local populations through the numerous Walking for Health schemes that operate in the NCA, by allowing people access to their local greenspace through connecting routes in towns and cities such as Newcastle, Gateshead, Durham and the Tynemouth coastal area.

Explore opportunities to develop tourism initiatives by working with owners of the many country estates in the NCA.

Improve interpretation along key locations along the rivers Tyne and Wear and along the coast including the potential for a coastal heritage trail in North Tyneside.

Protect the NCA’s key assets that make it an important visitor destination by supporting good development and design that is sympathetic to the built and natural heritage of the area.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Recreation
• Sense of history
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Regulating coastal erosion and flooding
• Geodiversity
• Biodiversity

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Northumbria Coast Ramsar and SPA
• Northumbria Heritage Coast
• Waldridge Fell and Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice SSSI
• River valleys of semi-natural oak or oak-birch woodlands
• Wooded parklands and estates
• Lowland heathlands
• Lowland meadows
• Reedbeds, mudflats and salt marsh
• Rocky headlands, sea cliffs and foreshore outcrops
• Rivers (Tyne, Wear, Derwent, Browney)
• Brownfield sites of high biodiversity value

State – Parts of the coastal area are internationally designated because of important numbers of wintering shore birds including North Tyneside’s intertidal habitats which provide winter feeding and roosting habitats for wading birds.

The coastal area contains Northumberland Shore SSSI and Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice SSSI and supports important numbers of breeding little tern, while along the rocky and shore and man-made structure of South Shields pier large numbers of turnstone and purple sandpiper and local numbers of knot, ringed plover and golden plover can be found.

Waldridge Fell SSSI is an important relic of lowland heath.

Fragmented priority habitats occur in isolated areas of wet woodland, lowland heath, lowland mixed deciduous woodland, fens and small areas of intertidal habitats, all of which cover less than 1 per cent of the NCA.

Although, the largest semi-natural habitat is broadleaved, mixed woodland.

The limited extent of species-rich neutral grasslands is predominantly managed as pasture for cattle or horses with minimal inputs of fertiliser.

An important relic of lowland heath survives at Waldridge Fell, containing Wanister Bog, a valley mire supporting bog mosses, cotton grass, rushes and sedges.

While there are few natural water bodies, subsidence ponds have formed in the hollows created by the collapse of underground mine workings.

The Tyne estuary falls largely within a well developed, urban environment but still supports important riverside habitats. The River Tyne is an important wildlife corridor providing habitat for wading birds, otters and a key migration route for salmon.

Dune grasses found at Tynemouth, Longsands are fragmented.

Urban structures have provided roosting or nesting sites for seabirds and derelict industrial sites have developed rare habitats and have benefited species such as the dingy skipper butterfly.

Local urban green spaces such as country parks and Local Nature Reserves provide communities with access to biodiversity and some derelict, industrial sites have developed unique biodiversity interest meeting priority habitat criteria for open mosaic habitats.

Main beneficiary – International

Analysis – Within rural areas, several well-wooded parklands and estates contain broad-leaved, mixed plantations and mature specimen trees and rivers valleys contain semi-natural oak or oak-birch woodlands. Such woodlands should be maintained ensuring that young trees replace over mature stock.

Species-rich grassland could be restored and maintained by engaging farmers and landowners.

Some river flood plains hold pockets of fen, reedbed and species-rich grasslands and Waldridge Fell SSSI has one of the largest and most diverse lowland heathland in the north-east of England which could be buffered by a network of habitats to improve its condition.

Although priority habitats are limited, due to industrial/urban development, there is always further potential for restoration, linking green spaces through linear routes such as old wagonways and railway lines.

Subsidence ponds tend to be of average nutrient status and generally support aquatic and marginal vegetation and provide roosting or feeding sites for water birds.

The rivers Tyne and Wear and their tributaries provide important wildlife links through the NCA including marginal vegetation and extensively wooded banksides.

While there are few natural water bodies, subsidence ponds have formed in the hollows created by the collapse of underground mine workings.

The Tyne estuary falls largely within a well developed, urban environment but still supports important riverside habitats. The River Tyne is an important wildlife corridor providing habitat for wading birds, otters and a key migration route for salmon.

Dune grasses found at Tynemouth, Longsands are fragmented.

Urban structures have provided roosting or nesting sites for seabirds and derelict industrial sites have developed rare habitats and have benefited species such as the dingy skipper butterfly.

Local urban green spaces such as country parks and Local Nature Reserves provide communities with access to biodiversity and some derelict, industrial sites have developed unique biodiversity interest meeting priority habitat criteria for open mosaic habitats.

Opportunities – Plant new native woodlands to help reverse woodland losses, in particular looking for opportunities to link existing fragmented sites and expand and buffer small isolated woodlands.

Through agri-enviornment schemes, where appropriate protect woodlands from browsing by livestock or wild animals in order to ensure growth of young trees.

Encouraging farmers and landowners to establish permanent grassland strips alongside water courses and field margins and on highly cultivated land, to adopt practices that reduce reliance on high levels of fertiliser application.

Maintain areas of lowland heath by scrub clearance or low intensity grazing, controlled burning or mechanical management to avoid grassland encroachment and provide buffers to the SSSI by creating other semi-natural habitats around it.

Incorporate more greenspace in urban areas, making links with the countryside by creating habitats in corridors such as roadside verges, old wagonways, railway lines and rivers and extend species rich grasslands and native woodlands on existing and new reclamation sites.

Maximise opportunities to engage urban populations, with biodiversity, for example by enhancing the biodiversity value of urban green spaces and actively engaging the local community.

Resist the loss of valuable brownfield sites, provide public access onto them and undertake site management to maintain their open character.

Minimise disturbance to breeding seabirds and wintering waders along the coast and estuary by encouraging the zoning of activities/sensitive usage of the area.

Seek opportunities to enable local communities to participate in conservation activities through events and volunteering in local green spaces such as country parks and Local Nature Reserves.

Seek opportunities on brownfield sites of high biodiversity value to become Local Wildlife Sites for the benefit of local communities and wildlife conservation.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Biodiversity
• Climate regulation
• Regulating soil erosion
• Regulating soil quality
• Regulating water quality
• Recreation
• Sense of place/inspiration

Assets/attributes: main contributors to service –

• Upper Carboniferous, Coal Measures overlain by glacial deposits
• Rocky headlands, sea cliffs, foreshore outcrops
• Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice SSSI
• Marine environment

State – The underlying geology on the coast is relatively soft Middle, Upper Carboniferous, Coal Measures overlain by glacial deposits which have been reworked by sea level rise following the last ice age.

Permian rocks overlie Coal Measures cropping out in small areas where they form sea cliffs and individual bays.

In the later glacial period, temporary lakes formed with local deposits of fine silt and clay accumulation. These laminated clays have been extensively worked for brick making in the Birtley area. Post-glacial windblown sands occur on the low-lying coast at South Shields.

From Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice, the area is designated a geological SSSI and is one of the best exposures of Coal Measures strata in Great Britain.

Two Local Nature Reserves provide additional interest mainly; Clara Vale and Marsden Quarry.

Glaciation altered drainage patterns by blocking the original northward route of the river Wear diverting it eastwards. In the county of Durham it cut down into the valley floor, creating narrow steep-sided gorges and denes.

Main beneficiary – National

Analysis – Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice SSSI is of considerable importance for interpreting the palaeo-geographical structure of Britain during the Middle Carboniferous period.

Climate change predictions of sea level rise may result in loss of geological features through cliff erosion, drainage issues and wave action. Hard sea defences can also interfere with natural coastal processes which would otherwise reduce the impact of wave action and erosion.

Increased flow of streams during peri- and post-glaciation caused severe down-cutting of existing river courses which is illustrated by the incised meander gorge of the River Wear at Durham providing educational opportunities about this geological feature to visitors, schools and colleges.

The underlying Coal Measures have brought prosperity to the NCA through the coal mining industry and have shaped the landscape as part of the area’s industrial heritage as well as contributing to the expansion of Newcastle and Gateshead.

Clara Vale Local Nature Reserve provides evidence of the coal mining heritage while Marsden Quarry reveals Magnesian Limestone cliffs, the result of past quarrying activities.

Opportunities – Explore opportunities to for interpretation, education and research into the geodiversity and key glacial features of the NCA, which will contribute to the sense of place as well as to understanding and enjoyment of the history and geodiversity of the area.

Provide interpretation about the history and culture associated with ex-mining sites for local communities and visitors linked to the geology of the area.

Seek opportunities for research, education and interpretation including establishing geological links to the history and culture associated with industrial heritage such as the Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice, geological SSSI, and inland, exposed geology of disused quarries and shaping of the landscape associated with the last ice age through visible glacial tills along the coast, incised meander and gorges of the Wear and the Denes.

Principal services offered by opportunities –

• Geodiversity
• Recreation
• Sense of history
• Sense of place/inspiration
• Tranquillity