Updates

October 2024

We have published the results of our initial questionnaire on areas that are important for nature, or could become important for nature recovery. The questionnaire was open to responses from 20 May to 9 July 2024.

Key messages from the response are that:

• 92% of respondents strongly agreed that 'nature should be protected in the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy area', with the remaining 8% agreeing with the statement
• 66% of respondents either strongly agreed or agreed with the statement 'the area in which they live is rich in nature'. 31% either strongly disagreed or disagreed
• Over 50% of respondents access areas they consider as being important for nature or could be improved for nature within 500m of where they live
• Of those sites identified as being important for nature or could be improved for nature, 40% of those who responded access such areas daily
• 13,771 hectares of land were identified, of which 93% was seen as important for nature, and 21% could be improved for nature.
• There was an 18% overlap in area of sites identified with an existing nature conservation designation (respondents were shown a blank map to prevent discouraging identification of existing designations)
• Grassland, hedgerow, and woodland were the top three habitat types identified as important for nature
• 93% of sites were considered important for nature owing to the presence of bird species
• Grassland, woodland, urban, and hedgerow were the top habitat types you said could be improved for nature (with urban and hedgerow joint third)
• The majority of respondents cited birds, plants and invertebrates as the species groups most capable of being recovered on sites identified as 'could be improved for nature'.
• Providing access to nature was the most cited co-benefit

Thank you for your responses to the questionnaire. Your responses will be used to inform the development of the NaturePlan.

August 2024

We have published our Strategy Area Description. 

This is Step 3 in preparing the strategy. The purpose of the area description is to inform the setting of priorities for recovering or enhancing biodiversity (habitats and species) and environmental improvement. The area description considers the range and distribution of habitats, especially priority habitats, and species or species groups within the strategy area and for which it is, or could feasibly be, of national importance.

July 2024

Our questionnaire on areas that are important for nature, or could become important for nature recovery, has now closed. We are reviewing your responses and will publish a summary report in due course.