Restoration project begins at nature reserve

A North East conservation project is getting underway to improve flood resilience and restore natural habitats.

Work has begun at Gosforth Nature Reserve to re-naturalise the Whitecroft Burn, in a move designed to reduce flooding, enhance water quality and create more diverse habitats for local wildlife. 

The project will transform the burn into a more natural watercourse by introducing a network of wetlands and ponds, helping slow water flow, trap sediment and capture pollutants before they travel downstream.

The initiative is being delivered through a partnership between Tyne Rivers Trust, the Natural History Society of Northumbria (NHSN), the Environment Agency and Northumbria University. 

Clare Freeman, director of NHSN, said: “The pollution and flooding around Whitecroft Burn has been an issue for decades, so it is both exciting and reassuring that these issues can be addressed.  

“At a time of biodiversity decline it is rewarding to create wetland habitats to increase the value to both wildlife and people.”

Maddy Fowler, urban catchments project manager for Tyne Rivers Trust, added: “The Whitecroft Burn project is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when multiple organisations come together with a shared vision. 

“By using nature-based solutions, we're not only restoring the river to its natural state and mitigating flood risk, but we're also creating a more biodiverse and resilient ecosystem for future generations to enjoy. 

“This partnership is a testament to our collective commitment to a healthier environment.”

Gosforth Nature Reserve, managed by the society since 1929, is the region’s oldest nature reserve and a nationally important refuge for wildlife.

By expanding water storage capacity and establishing a mosaic of habitats, the project aims to make the reserve more resilient to climate impacts while supporting a greater variety of species.

The work forms part of Newcastle’s Nature Networks programme, funded through the Species Survival Fund – a collaboration between Defra and the National Lottery Heritage Fund to help slow and reverse the decline in UK species.

Construction is expected to take one to two weeks, with long-term monitoring planned to track improvements in water quality and biodiversity.

Rebecca O’Connell, environment programme team leader at the Environment Agency, added: “This exciting partnership project in one of the city’s important nature reserves will bring multiple benefits for people and wildlife.

“Returning the burn to a more natural state will not only improve water quality but it will create vital wetland and pond habitats to boost wildlife and reduce flood risk down stream.

“Those visiting this wonderful nature reserve will be able to enjoy the benefits now and into the future.”

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