NaturePlan
Working together to restore nature, combat climate change and benefit our communities
Nature Emergency
From sea cliffs to sand dunes, river valleys to reedbeds, ancient woodlands to limestone grasslands, and estuary edges to parks and gardens; the combined areas of Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland support a rich and varied natural heritage, including some of our most iconic and much-loved species.
However, despite this our wildlife is in crisis (opens new window), with England ranked as one of the most nature depleted countries in the world owing to historic and ongoing declines.
More locally, various factors including changes in land management, urbanisation, climate change, pollution and the spread of invasive non-native species continue to contribute to the ongoing loss of biodiversity.
However, all is not lost. Targeted conservation activity can and has achieved positive outcomes for biodiversity. By being strategic, ambitious and working together effectively, we can restore nature at scale.
A healthy natural environment rich in wildlife provides multiple benefits including improving the health and well-being of communities, tackling the effects of climate change and supporting economic growth and investment.
Map of areas of particular importance for biodiversity
Explore the map (Go to Map of areas of particular importance for biodiversity)
Strategy Area Description
These pages describe the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy Area, which encompasses the local authority areas of Gateshead, South Tyneside and the City of Sunderland.
Continue reading (Go to Strategy Area Description)South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy
The Defra Secretary of State has appointed Gateshead Council as the 'responsible authority' to lead on preparation of the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy, with South Tyneside Council, Sunderland City Council and Natural England as 'supporting authorities'.
The South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy will help coordinate and support nature's recovery across the combined areas of Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland, building on earlier and ongoing action for nature undertaken by the councils, their partners and the public.
What are Local Nature Recovery Strategies?
Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a new England-wide system of spatial strategies for nature established under the Environment Act 2021 (opens new window).
Local Nature Recovery Strategies will drive more coordinated, practical and focused action to restore nature and provide other benefits such as reducing atmospheric CO2, increasing flood resilience and improving health and well-being.
There are 48 Local Nature Recovery Strategies covering the whole of England. Together they will:
- underpin the national Nature Recovery Network (opens new window)
- support the delivery of mandatory biodiversity net gain (opens new window)
- integrate with government funding streams (for example Environmental Land Management (opens new window))
- help guide local planning policy and decision making
Each strategy will:
- agree priorities for nature's recovery, with a written statement of biodiversity priorities
- map the most valuable existing areas for nature, with a local habitat map
- map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and wider environmental goals
The preparation of each LNRS will be evidence based, locally led and collaborative.
View further information on what local nature recovery strategies are and why they are needed on the Gov.uk website (opens new window).
Supporting nature's recovery
Ideas to help you help nature
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