14 - Tyne and Wear Lowlands : Analysis: Landscape Attributes & Opportunities

Analysis supporting Statements of Environmental Opportunity

The following analysis section focuses on the landscape attributes and opportunities for this NCA.

Further analysis on ecosytem services for this NCA is contained in the Analysis: Ecosytem Services section.

Landscape attributes

Major rivers and their tributaries flowing through valleys with semi-natural woodlands on valley slopes dominated by ash, oak and along the riverside, alder and willows.

Justification for selection:

• Undulating land and broad river valleys incised by rivers Tyne and Wear and their tributaries.
• Well-wooded river valleys contribute strongly to landscape character and locally characteristic tree species contribute to biodiversity.
• Key geological feature and sense of place created by River Wear in incised meander gorge in County Durham.

A landscape of change as open cast extraction/deep mining areas, spoil heaps and derelict brownfield sites are restored for a range of uses. Urban fringe pasture land with pony and cattle grazing and wide stretches of large, regular, arable fields in rural areas.

Justification for selection:

• Former coal mining open cast extraction areas and spoil heaps are pasture land divided by fences or strips of mixed or coniferous plantations, Local Wildlife Sites and country parks.
• Some derelict brownfield sites are of high biodiversity value.
• Subsided, underground mine-workings form areas of open water forming valuable wetlands.
• Urban fringe used for small paddocks and pastures for pony grazing, sheds and other miscellaneous uses.
• Main soils are loamy and clayey with low erosion risk, but susceptible to compaction and capping in wet conditions.
• Mostly grade 3 agricultural land in rural areas and around urban settlements. In 2009 arable and horticultural land accounted for 56 per cent of the farmed area, while livestock was 19 per cent (mainly pigs, sheep and cattle).

Fragmented areas of semi-natural habitats, mainly due to extensive industrialisation and urbanisation.

Justification for selection:

• Waldridge Fell SSSI lowland heathland habitats and largest and most diverse in north-east England. Sparse woodland cover but river valleys of broadleaved, semi-natural oak or oak-birch woodlands and wooded parklands and estates. Limited extent of species-rich neutral grassland, often managed as pasture for cattle or horses with minimal fertiliser inputs.
• Tyne estuary located largely within an urban environment supports riverside habitats and recreation for local communities.
• The rivers Tyne and Wear are important landscape features and wildlife corridors for wading birds, otters and key migration route for salmon.
• Coastline is part of several designated areas (Northumbria Heritage Coast, Ramsar, SPA, Northumberland Shore SSSI and Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice SSSI). Comprises intertidal mudflats, sand dunes and hard, rocky foreshore.
• Coastal area supports wide range of birds (little tern, purple sandpiper, ringed and golden plover).
• Scope for creating green space and linking habitats in and around urban settlements on reclaimed sites, in between agricultural areas and by developing Community Forest schemes.
• Derelict brownfield sites of high biodiversity value should be protected from development.
• Continued pressure to build on greenbelt areas in and around urban areas but potential to preserve it and create accessible green spaces for health, wellbeing, wildlife and recreation and support good, sustainable developments that incorporate natural greenspace into the design.

Small, varied and heavily modified coastal area from sandy beach and sea cliffs of Tynemouth to estuarine environment characterised by quay walls and intertidal mud flats.

Justification for selection:

• Coastline of sand and rocky foreshore habitats and maritime cliffs. Part of several designated conservation areas (Northumbria Heritage Coast, Ramsar, SPA, Northumberland Shore SSSI and Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice SSSI).
• Tynemouth estuary is long and narrow with heavily defended steep sides along the frontage.
• Commercial Tyneside port with fishing industry, sea ferry terminal and some mineral and waste disposal requiring access to water-borne transport.
• Tyne estuary between Fish Quay and Newburn supports regionally important numbers of wintering waterbirds and in summer, breeding shelduck.
• Seaside tourism associated with Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay and Longsands.

Extensive evidence of heritage and settlement from Roman occupation to medieval ecclesiastical rule and the industrial revolution (coal, steel, heavy engineering, glass, rope, chemical manufacturing and ship building on the Tyne).

Justification for selection:

• Roman settlement of Newcastle of strategic importance as crossing point of the Tyne by the main north-south route (including Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site).
• Monastic communities at Jarrow and Durham including Norman Castle and Cathedral. Ecclesiastical rule within Palatinate of Durham preserved settlement patterns and has World Heritage Site status.
• Coalfield exploitation from Roman times to the 20th century and recent industrial decline with reclaimed spoil heaps and artefacts of mining; wagonways, tramways and coke ovens.
• 18th-century sandstone buildings with numerous Victorian mining and industrial terraces of brick and slate.
• Industrial prosperity reflected in large number of 18th- and 19th-century country houses, set within parkland in the vicinity of major settlements.
• Historic riverside cities of Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham, strategically located at bridging points of the rivers Tyne and Wear.
• Tyneside port/coastal area with Grade II listed buildings reflecting rich heritage (Fish Quay; North Pier and Lighthouse, Prior’s Haven, Tynemouth Priory and the Grand Hotel, Tynemouth) and 19th/20th-century coastal defences.
• Geological heritage with industrial links includes Tynemouth to Seaton Sluice SSSI along the coast and disused quarries inland.
• Visible evidence of recent geological history through glacial tills along the coast and inland, the incised
  meander and gorges of the River Wear as well as the Denes.

Nationally important cultural tourist attractions in Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham, mining heritage and access to green spaces in urban areas through country parks and connecting networks of footpaths and cycle routes.

Justification for selection:

• Four per cent of the NCA is publically accessible, Hadrian’s Wall Path National Trail covers 24 km, Newcastle to Whitley Bay national cycle route covers 23 km, and there are 15 registered parks and gardens.
• Nationally important World Heritage Sites; the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham with its Norman Castle and Cathedral.
• Accessible green spaces; riverside walks, wetlands/woodlands from former industrial sites and wildlife-rich brownfield sites, links to footpaths and cycle routes from old railway and wagonways.
• Extensive historical and cultural connections to medieval history and the Industrial Revolution.

Landscape opportunities

• Plan for and create green infrastructure in urban areas to improve quality of life, contact with nature and increased access and recreation for large urban populations while making a positive contribution to local character.
• Protect rural areas and biodiversity-rich brownfield sites from development between urban settlements.
• Conserve the woodlands on steep-sided river valleys, a locally characteristic feature, to strengthen biodiversity and landscape character. Create new and maintain existing woodlands along valley slopes, on country estates and parklands.
• Plan the location and composition of new woodlands (including native species) to enhance biodiversity and existing woodland character and ensure semi-natural woodland habitats are linked to hedgerows and species-rich grassland, while providing recreation and tranquillity.
• Enhance ex-industrial or derelict land by creating native, broadleaved woodland or semi natural grassland on former spoil heaps and wetlands and where possible, link habitats ensuring design, scale, location and tree species fit with the surrounding landscape.
• Manage, enhance and restore semi natural habitats in rural areas such as grasslands, hedgerows and hedgerow trees to increase the network of semi-natural habitats.
• Plan for integrated, coastal management allowing natural, coastal processes to occur where feasible to protect the impact of further hard sea defences on coastal and estuarine habitats and the geology of the rocky headlands and sea cliffs.
• Ensure new developments close to undisturbed areas and greenspace are sensitively designed with minimal light spill.
• Plan interpretation along key locations on the rivers Tyne and Wear and along the coast for its geodiversity, wildlife and heritage value.
• Promote the history and culture associated with the mining heritage and sites of interest for local communities and visitors.