Funding boost to restore County Durham habitat

A new project aims to restore rare coastal grasslands and enhance biodiversity along the County Durham coastline.

The Coastal Grasslands Reconnected Project, led by Durham County Council in partnership with the National Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust, has received £975,000 from the Government’s Species Survival Fund to help create and restore 213 hectares of Magnesian Limestone grasslands from Noses Point to Horden.

The initiative will involve the creation of mosaic habitats – different types of habitats found close together – to create a wildlife corridor from woodlands to the coastline, through the planting of hedgerows, trees, scrub, and the creation of ponds.

The funding will also be used to support the management of the habitats through fencing, installation of water sources, baling and surveys, as well as a high tide roost area for birds at Blackhall Rocks.

Councillor Mark Wilkes, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “County Durham’s coastline is home to the unique and very rare Magnesian Limestone grassland.

“This habitat is a rich and valuable ecological resource: home to diverse and rare flora and fauna.

“We are delighted to work in partnership with the National Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust to secure funding for the Coastal Grasslands Reconnected Project.

“Not only will this project help us to restore and protect the native and biodiverse habitats of our coastline, it also supports our work to tackle the county’s ecological emergency and reverse the decline in important species and habitats.”

Community engagement will be key to the success of the project, with opportunities for local residents, youth groups and schools to volunteer in species monitoring and countryside management. Future volunteer opportunities and project updates will be posted on the Heritage Coast Partnership Facebook page.

The Coastal Grasslands Reconnected project is funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm’s-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.

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