Biodiversity Action Plan - North Tyneside Newcastle & - Newcastle City Council
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
I. Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
Written by Derek Hilton-Brown & Jackie Hunter
Partners & Supporting Organisations
Partner/Delivery Organisation
BC Butterfly Conservation
BCT Bat Conservation Trust
BTO British Trust for Ornithology
Defra Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
EA Environment Agency
ERIC Environmental Records Information Centre – North East
FC Forestry Commission
GMBC Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council
LWSP Local Wildlife Sites Partnership
NMG Northumberland Mammal Group
NBG Northumberland Bat Group
NCC Newcastle City Council
NE Natural England
NERAG North-East Reptile & Amphibian Group
New Uni Newcastle University
NMG Northumbria Mammal Group
NHSN Natural History Society of Northumbria
NTBC Northumberland and Tyneside Bird Club
NTC North Tyneside Council
NWL Northumbrian Water Ltd
NWT Northumberland Wildlife Trust
RSNE Red Squirrels Northern England
RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
STC South Tyneside Council
TRT Tyne Rivers Trust
Photographic Credits
Derek Hilton-Brown Rachel Flannery
Kevin O’Hara RSPB
North East Wildlife Tina Wiffen
Ruth Hadden Red Squirrels Northern England
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
Contents
PAGE
I. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1
Contents
II. INTRODUCTION 3
III. HABITAT ACTION PLANS 4
1. Buildings and Structures 4
2. Estuary & Coastal 7
3. Brownfield Land 13
4. Transport Corridors 16
5. Open Water & Wetland 19
6. Rivers and Watercourses 24
7. Managed Urban Greenspace 28
8. Native Woodland 32
9. Lowland Grassland 36
10. Scrub, Shrub & Hedgerow 39
IV. SPECIES ACTION PLANS 43
11. Farmland Birds 43
12. Bats 48
13. Amphibians 52
14. Dingy Skipper 56
15. Otter 59
16. Urban Birds 62
17. Water Vole 67
18. Red Squirrel 70
19. Hedgehog 73
20. Slow Worm 75
21. Bumblebees 77
22. Brown Hare 80
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
Both BAPS have a joint steering group
II. Introduction partnership and in 2008 it was agreed by
the Newcastle & North Tyneside BAP
Steering Group to merge the two BAPs
Introduction
into a more strategic joint Action Plan
Introduction
Biodiversity is the rich variety of life on
Contents
earth. This encompasses all plants, covering both local authority areas. The
animals and their habitats, even steering group comprises of individuals
micro-organisms such as bacteria. It is from the main organisations contributing
not just about rare or endangered towards the delivery of targets and
species, it also includes wildlife that is actions in the BAP. The Partnership
familiar to all of us in the places where oversees the ongoing development and
we live and work. Therefore biodiversity implementation of the BAP. Priority
is all life on the planet, from the smallest habitats and species have been chosen
of sea creatures to the birds we see in by the steering group to reflect the
our parks and gardens. current concerns of wildlife organisations
and the community.
The UK government produced
‘Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan’ in 1994 This new Action Plan is a ten year vision
with the aim of conserving and for the protection and enhancement of
enhancing biological diversity in the UK. biodiversity in Newcastle & North
To achieve these aims it was Tyneside. The aim of the BAP is to
recommended by the UK Biodiversity ensure that we manage our natural
Steering Group, that Local Biodiversity environment more effectively to protect
Action Plans (LBAPs) were produced to these natural resources and to leave a
translate national wildlife targets into legacy that will benefit present and future
local action. generations.
The Newcastle Biodiversity Action Plan Everyone can play a role in helping to
(BAP) was published in 2001 and the deliver this plan. By taking action at the
North Tyneside Plan was published in local level, either by forming a local
2005. These documents took the community group, planting trees or
objectives and targets of the ‘UK simply putting up a bird box in your
Biodiversity Action Plan’ and translated garden, you can contribute to local,
and amplified them into a local context. regional and national targets and make
a real difference to biodiversity in
Newcastle & North Tyneside.
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
III. Habitat Action Plans
1. Buildings & Structures
1. BUILDINGS & STRUCTURES
General Description
This action plan covers all buildings, their
walls, roofs and associated features, and
other artificial structures. These include;
residential and domestic properties
(houses, residential care homes),
commercial facilities (offices & shops),
education and recreation establishments
(schools, colleges, sports centres),
religious buildings (e.g. churches and by vegetation and/or growing
mosques), industrial units (factories, medium.Green roofs enhance
warehouses), transport structures (metro biodiversity and reduce the effects of
stations, bridges, retaining walls, tunnels, climate change. In addition, using plants
subways, lighting columns), electricity to green walls also benefits biodiversity,
and telecommunication installations it provides a transit route for wildlife
(pylons, substations, telephone masts), between habitat at ground level and that
sewage treatment facilities, sea established on a green roof.
defences, statues and ancient
monuments. The plan also covers Current Status
derelict and disused buildings and
structures as well as agricultural In Newcastle and North Tyneside there
buildings in farmland areas. are a range of buildings and artificial
structures which vary considerably in
Buildings are extremely variable age, size and structure which can
according to their age, the material they determine their value as roosting and
are made from and their use. They nesting habitats for wildlife.
provide important replacement habitat for
a range of wildlife, particularly for A number of buildings and structures
breeding and shelter. In fact many occur within recognised Local Wildlife
buildings provide roosting sites for bats Sites and contribute to the nature con-
and nesting sites for birds. Some animal servation interest of these areas by
species will spend most of their lifecycle providing roosting and breeding
within such structures, while others will opportunities for wildlife, particularly
only spend part of it there. Nevertheless, birds. Examples include buildings in
the predominance of buildings and cemeteries which provide bat roosts and
artificial structures within such an urban old houses which provide nesting
environment, and their importance for opportunities for birds. However, many of
wildlife, means that they make an the buildings with wildlife interest occur
important contribution to the biodiversity outside of these designated nature
resource. conservation sites, including significant
buildings and structures along the River
A ‘green roof’ (or ‘living roof’) is a roof Tyne at North Shields and the Tyne
with the majority of its surface covered Bridge and Tower in Newcastle.
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
Bats are frequent throughout both New-
1. Buildings & Structures
1.Buildings & Structures
castle and North Tyneside, with
1. Buildings & Structures
pipistrelle being the most widespread
species frequenting a wide range of both
old and new buildings. Barn owl is
another species linked to farm buildings
particularly in rural areas but also found
in some urban areas.
Other species which breed exclusively
on buildings during the summer months
include swallow, swift, house martin and
house sparrow. Buildings and artificial
structures adjacent to the River Tyne and
the coast also support breeding
populations of kittiwake, including at their Insensitive renovation, improvement
only known inland location in Newcastle or demolition works can destroy
and Gateshead and provide nesting valuable nest and roost features
ledges for fulmar. associated with old buildings and
other structures, such as bridges. For
Issues of Concern example, demolition of derelict
buildings will clearly adversely affect
Lack of knowledge of the presence of any species using the structure, whilst
protected species (including all the removal or alteration of external
species of birds during the breeding features (e.g. removal of timber
season) in buildings and structures facades, chemical treatment of tim-
and an ignorance of the requirements ber, etc.) can reduce roosting and
of the Wildlife and Countryside Act nesting opportunities for important
1981 (as amended) can lead to species.
disturbance of important roosts and
nest sites and the loss of species. The design and materials used for
many modern buildings, such as
Lack of understanding of the houses and light industrial units,
biodiversity value of buildings. provide very few nesting or roosting
opportunities for wildlife in
comparison with older buildings and
structures.
Contamination, such as toxic metals
or petroleum from previous industrial
use.
Colonisation by non-native or pest
species which drive out priority
species.
Concern over noise and mess may
lead to nesting birds or bats being
excluded from buildings.
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
TARGET
BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES TARGETS DATE PARTNERS
1.Buildings & Structures
1. Buildings & Structures
Produce best practice guidelines for planners, developers & 2012 NTC, NCC
internal council departments regarding biodiversity value of
buildings & structures.
Secure or create nesting habitat for kittiwakes along the 2016 NTC, NCC,
River Tyne to enable existing colonies to expand or move. NWT, NWL,
NHSN
Ensure existing kittiwake sites are protected Ongoing NTC, NCC,
GMBC1.
Incorporate 1 new green roof into new developments in 2014 NTC, NCC
both Newcastle & North Tyneside.
Produce guidance on green roofs for developers & planners. 2012 NCC, NTC
Incorporate 15 nest boxes within buildings along the metro 2014 NTC, NCC,
line. Nexus
Request nesting/ roosting features on all new and renovated Ongoing NTC, NCC
developments requiring ecological consultation.
All information acquired on nesting/roosting sites for Ongoing NTC, NCC,
protected species will be submitted to ERIC. ERIC
Encourage public to submit sightings of swifts at roof level Ongoing NTC, NCC,
to the National Swift Inventory. RSPB
Links to Other Plans
Habitat Action Plans Species Action Plans
Transport Corridors Bats
Managed Urban Greenspace Farmland Birds
Estuary and Coastal Urban Birds
Brownfield Land
Potential Target Delivery Areas
Feature Site Local Authority Area
Kittiwake Tower Northumberland Dock North Tyneside
Green Roof Science Central Newcastle
Green Roof Rising Sun Area North Tyneside
Nesting boxes Metro Stations Newcastle/North Tyneside
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
2. ESTUARY AND COASTAL turnstone (two of the species for which
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
HABITAT the Northumbria Coast SPA/Ramsar site
is designated), sanderling, ringed plover,
General Description golden plover, redshank, lapwing, dunlin
and curlew.
This action plan covers all habitats oc-
curring within or directly adjacent to the Significant numbers of eider also feed in
River Tyne estuary and all natural and the intertidal area all year round whilst
semi-natural habitats occurring within or the mouth of the river Tyne is important
directly adjacent to the tidal zone of for the number of terns that feed there
North Tyneside’s coastline.
during the early autumn, including the
rare roseate tern. St Mary’s Island is a
Coastal habitats include open sea, off- particularly important site for roseate
shore islands and reefs, intertidal rocky tern, as a high proportion of the post
foreshore areas and sandy beaches, breeding population from Coquet Island
sand dunes, sea cliffs and cliff top areas spends a portion of their time feeding
along the coast between St Mary’s Is- there. The steep sea cliffs along the
land, Whitley Bay and North Shields Fish coast provide breeding sites for kittiwake,
Quay. North Tyneside’s coastline lies fulmar and rock pipit, whilst pockets of
within the Northumberland Shore SSSI coastal scrub vegetation provide a refuge
(Site of Special Scientific Interest) which for numerous spring and autumn passer-
is designated for its nationally important ine migrants.
numbers of wintering shore birds. In
addition, the areas of rocky shore form Coastal grassland along the cliff tops
part of the Northumbria Coast SPA supports a number of plant species that
(Special Protection Area) and Ramsar are adapted to cope with regular
site, an internationally important bird site. exposure to sea-spray, such as thrift,
Most of the sea cliff habitat within North buck’s-horn plantain and common scurvy
Tyneside forms part of the Tynemouth to grass.
Seaton Sluice SSSI, a nationally
important geological site designated for The marine environment around North
its exposures of Coal Measures strata. Tyneside supports a diverse range of
wildlife. Caves, wrecks and reef faces
North Tyneside’s intertidal habitats pro- are covered by communities of soft
vide important winter feeding and corals, sponges, bryozoans, sea squirts
roosting habitats for numerous wading and anemones. Among the fish species
birds including purple sandpiper and found in the area are leopard spot goby
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
and lumpsucker. Crabs and lobster are The River Tyne estuary has small areas
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
commercially exploited and small of mudflats and saltmarsh at
cetaceans, such as harbour porpoise, Northumberland Dock and Willington Gut
use the area regularly. Migrating in North Tyneside but the majority of this
salmonids off the coast and throughout type of habitat is found within Newcastle
the estuary have also benefited from at sites such as Newburn Riverside and
improved cleaner conditions. Lemington Gut.
Intertidal habitats in the outer Tyne estu- Areas of derelict and unmanaged land
ary between North Shields Fishquay and and urban greenspace along the estuary
the open coast form part of the SPA/ are also important for species such as
Ramsar site and SSSI. In addition, the dingy skipper butterfly and for locally rare
tidal River Tyne between the Fish Quay plants such as yellow wort and blue
and Newburn supports regionally- fleabane.
important numbers of wintering
waterbirds and breeding shelduck in the The river itself is home to salmon and
summer. It is also an important migratory trout as well as common seals, with grey
route for salmon and sea trout to the seals and porpoises foraging along the
upper reaches of the Tyne. The entire coast. Otters and kingfisher also
length of the Tyne estuary forms a regularly use the River Tyne and its
wildlife corridor, linking a network of connecting tributaries, particularly around
designated sites together. Lemington Gut in Newcastle.
Estuaries provide a diverse range of Current Status
habitats including intertidal mudflats,
saltmarsh, rocky shores and beaches, all North Tyneside has 8km of open coast-
of which support a wide range of aquatic line. The extent of some habitats varies
and terrestrial species. The River Tyne daily according to the tides, but recent
estuary has historically been subjected to surveys indicate that there are over 20ha
a variety of human activity (e.g. industrial of intertidal mud, sand and rocky
use and recreational activity) and is often foreshore habitats, 9.9ha of fragmentary
a very restrained system in terms of sand dune habitats, 3ha of maritime cliff
structural changes to frontages and and 0.1ha of coastal grassland.
banks. In such a pressured environment,
it is even more important that those The Tyne estuary is the largest and most
fragments of semi-natural habitat which significant watercourse in Newcastle.
remain are protected and managed The tidal limit is at Wylam and runs for
appropriately. approximately 32km before reaching the
sea at Tynemouth. In Newcastle there
are also a number of other smaller
streams with tidal reaches that flow into
the Tyne estuary, including the River
Ouseburn and Lemington Gut.
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
Issues of Concern high tide, including pier structures,
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
low cliffs and adjacent grasslands.
Coastal Squeeze Managing high tide roosts
This is the process by which coastal appropriately, including minimising
habitats are ‘squeezed’ into very disturbance, is needed to secure the
narrow strips by the processes of favourable conservation status of the
coastal erosion on the seaward side SPA and SSSI.
and intensive agricultural, recreational
or development uses on the landward Water Quality/Pollution
side. Over a period of time this can Although the water quality of the
lead to the extinction of the original coast and River Tyne has improved in
coastal habitat, such as maritime recent years, pollution and
grassland. Examples of coastal contamination of water and sediments
erosion can be seen at St. Mary’s still occur as a result of past and
Island in Whitley Bay, Brown’s Point present human activities. Examples
at Cullercoats and at Tynemouth include; heavy metal contamination of
Long Sands. riverine sediments from urban road
run-off and particularly on the River
Recreational pressure Tyne, there is a significant legacy of
Over the years recreational pressure TBT (tri-butyltin) sediment
has lead to the erosion and contamination from past industrial
degradation of some coastal habitats activities. These can have a
in North Tyneside, particularly the cumulative impact by deterioration of
coastal sand dune system at water and sediment quality leading to
Tynemouth Long Sands and cliff top reduced local biodiversity i.e. during
grassland habitat at St. Mary’s Island, river dredging operations.
Whitley Bay. Areas of exposed rocky
foreshore are also vulnerable to Recreational Disturbance
excessive trampling and human The improvement of water quality in
disturbance (e.g. at St Mary’s Island) the River Tyne may lead to an
and such activities may lead to increase in water-based recreational
reduced feeding and roosting activities and consequent disturbance
opportunities for important species. to wildlife; for example there has been
Shore based activities and bait an increase in jet-skiing along the
digging can also cause disturbance North Tyneside coast. Shore based
to wildlife. activities and bait digging can also
cause disturbance.
Inappropriate Management
Inappropriate management of coastal Industrial and Port Related Devel-
habitats - this may lead to reduced opment
biodiversity. For example, excessive Development pressure associated
beach cleaning and the removal of with the regeneration of the riverside
strandline seaweeds from North may lead to the reduction of important
Tyneside’s beaches during the winter estuarine and riverside habitats and
would reduce feeding opportunities associated species. For example,
for important wintering wading birds. extensive sheet piling forms a hard
edge of little wildlife value to most of
High Tide Roosts the river frontage with only a few
Birds ability to forage in certain areas areas of soft riverbank or seaweed
will be dependent on their proximity to covered boulders left to provide feed-
areas where they can safely roost at ing and roosting areas for waders.
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanAlien Species Lack of Information
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
The introduction by man or natural Lack of access to significant parts of
colonisation of alien species such as the River Tyne estuary has resulted in
Chinese mitten crabs or invasive limited ecological data being available
plants could result in a decline in for the area. This may result in the
natural species and a deterioration of existence of important habitats and
habitats along the estuary. species not being taken into account
in decisions relating to new
Fisheries development and subsequent loss or
The River Tyne estuary is a key damage.
migratory route for salmon and
feeding sea trout. Although Climate Change
commercial fisheries are primarily Sea level rise will gradually lead to an
outside of this area they could alteration in the location of intertidal
potentially still affect fish populations areas (coastal squeeze) and the loss
and salmon runs. of feeding and roosting habitat for
shore birds.
Dredging
Historical contamination of estuary Navigational
sediment means that water quality Vessel activity may cause disturbance
could be affected if contaminants to wildlife and contribute to pollution
were to become re-mobilised through which can damage estuary habitat.
dredging operations.
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanESTUARY AND COASTAL HABITAT TARGETS TARGET PARTNERS
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
DATE
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
Ensure no net loss of mudflats and saltmarsh, Annually NTC, NCC
other than by natural processes.
Designate River Tyne corridor as Local Wildlife 2015 NTC, NCC,GMBC,
Site. STC, NWT
Create two high tide wader roost sites and 2016 NTC, NCC, NWT,
manage existing roost sites appropriately. RSPB NTBC
Maintain inventory of WeBS data annually Ongoing NTBC, BTO
Investigate funding opportunities for interpretation 2015 NTC, NCC, Nexus
panels along 4 locations on the River Tyne and
the coast.
Create or restore up to 0.5ha of saltmarsh habitat 2020 NTC, NCC
Develop partnership projects with Big Sea Survey 2013 Newcastle University,
(Dove Marine Laboratory) NTC, NHSN
Plant 15000 dune grasses over 3 years to 2012-15 NTC, Newcastle
regenerate extended dune system at Tynemouth University,
Longsands.
Review current beach cleaning regime on amenity 2012 NWT, NE, NTC
beaches and move to a more wildlife friendly
management.
Access improvements incorporated along the 2012 EA, NTC
Tynemouth Longsands coastal strip to aid dune
regeneration.
Investigate potential for a coastal heritage trail 2015 NTC
along the North Tyneside coastline.
Create new priority habitats at St Mary’s headland 2015 NTC, NWT,
NE, RSPB
Promote the importance of coastal waders Ongoing NCC, NTC,
through publicity material and events NTBC, NWT, RSPB
Minimise disturbance to wintering waders along Ongoing NTC, NCC
the coast and estuary by encouraging the zoning
of activities and by encouraging sensitive usage
Compile a mapped inventory of key coastal and 2013 NCC, NTC,
estuarine sites that are used as roosting and Local Schools, RSPB,
feeding sites by coastal waders, including high NTBC, allotments &
tide roosts. Community
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanLinks to Other Plans
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
2. Estuary & Coastal Habitat
Habitat Action Plans Species Action Plans
Managed Urban Greenspace Farmland Birds
Buildings & Structures Otter
Potential Target Delivery Areas
Feature Site Local Authority Area
Saltmarsh Willington Gut North Tyneside
Saltmarsh Seaton Sluice North Tyneside/Blyth
Coastal Grassland The links/St Mary’s Headland North Tyneside
Wetland St Mary’s Headland North Tyneside
Scrub St Mary’s Headland North Tyneside
Sand Dune Tynemouth Longsands North Tyneside
High Tide Roosts Newburn Haugh Newcastle
High Tide Roosts St Mary’s Wetland North Tyneside
Mudflats/Saltmarsh Lemington Gut Newcastle
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan3. BROWNFIELD LAND
3. Brownfield Land
3. Brownfield Land
General Description
This habitat action plan covers a broad
range of derelict habitats found in urban
areas, sometimes known as brownfield
sites. This type of ‘wasteland’ habitat is
generally unmanaged land, relatively
undisturbed by current human activity
and is usually characterised by
vegetation in the early stages of
succession. Such sites provide a refuge Many derelict sites are proposed for
for a wide range of animals and flowering future development and are likely to
plants and can include the following provide only temporary environments for
types of land:- wildlife. However, some are interesting
enough to have been designated as
Industrial land – is often contaminated wildlife sites of varying importance.
with heavy metals and the poor soil
and lack of nutrients encourage a Areas of derelict and unmanaged land
wide diversity of plants, which support a wide range of species
supports a range of insects and other including slow worm, dingy skipper
wildlife. butterfly, bats, breeding birds and a
range of mammals. Such sites can also
Railway land –disused railway land support plant species with restricted
provides important wildlife corridors distributions in Northumberland such as
linking semi-natural habitats. Rough yellow-wort, blue fleabane and bee
grassland and woodland is often orchid.
found along railways which attracts a
wide range of wildlife.
Docklands – in areas where dockland
has been left vacant for some time,
species-rich plant and animal
communities have had time to
develop. Land areas awaiting
development are often important
wildlife sites, many of which are
variable in nature. Such sites are
naturally colonised and support
pioneer communities.
Current Status
Several former colliery sites have been
derelict for a number of decades and are
now characterised by a range of habitats
and species. These sites have been
recognised as Local Wildlife Sites (LWS)
because of the wildlife they support. In
North Tyneside, designated sites such as
13
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanWeetslade Colliery, Eccles Colliery and
Fenwick Pit Heap have been reclaimed
in a way which maintains their wildlife
3. Brownfield Land
value in the medium to long term, and
new country parks have been created.
Several other former colliery sites have
for many years been reclaimed in this
way and are also recognised as wildlife
sites, including the Rising Sun Pit Heap,
Backworth Colliery Pit Plantation and
Brenkley Colliery Plantation. Other
locally important sites occur on
abandoned land at Killingworth Road, Continued lack of management of
Stephenson Railway Grassland and the some derelict sites and other
network of waggonways. unmanaged areas may result in
reduced biodiversity value.
In Newcastle, key sites include Inappropriate management can also
Scotswood Road Paradise, Old Walker lead to reduced biodiversity through
Railway Station, Walbottle Brickworks, natural succession.
Percy Pit, Havannah Pit and Shelley
Road, which are all designated Local Despite any nature conservation
Wildlife Sites. In addition Brenkley value, some derelict and unmanaged
Colliery LWS is another brownfield site sites are eyesores that can attract
which has been designated for its public abuse such as fly tipping and
interesting grassland and also supports bonfires, motorbike scrambling and
dingy skipper butterfly, a UK priority BAP vandalism.
species. Old derelict railway sites are
also very good types of brownfield land There is a general lack of
for wildlife and in particular the tracks understanding of the value of derelict
along the Hadrian’s Way trail in land and its wildlife potential.
Newcastle are important for linking many
smaller brownfield sites in the City. Contamination of derelict sites by
invasive species such as Japanese
Issues of Concern knotweed.
Development of derelict and Current Government policy
unmanaged sites may lead to the encourages the use of
temporary or net loss of wildlife previously-developed land for building
habitats. Disused railway land is often where appropriate. This potentially
lost through development pressure for makes brownfield land vulnerable to
housing or employment uses. In future development.
dockland areas, disused land has
been, and continues to be, developed
for commercial or residential use.
Insensitive reclamation of derelict
sites could result in the creation of
landscapes of much reduced
biodiversity value compared to the
naturally-seeded habitats that occur
at such sites.
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanTARGET PARTNERS
BROWNFIELD LAND TARGETS
DATE
3. Brownfield Land
3. Brownfield Land
3. Brownfield Land
Create habitats along Hadrian’s Way to enhance 2015 NTC, NCC
current brownfield land and link up fragmented habitat
Create/renew management plans for all brownfield 2015 NTC, NCC,
land designated as local wildlife sites. NWT
Identify new brownfield sites that could be designated as Ongoing NTC, NCC,
local wildlife sites NWT
Undertake one brownfield site management project annually 2012- NTC, NCC,
2021 NWT
Identify key sites that could be targeted for priority species 2013 NTC, NCC
Links to Other Plans
Habitat Action Plans Species Action Plans
Transport Corridors Bats
Managed Urban Greenspace Dingy Skipper
Estuary and Coastal Urban Birds
Buildings & Structures Slow Worm
Scrub, Shrub & Hedgerow Bumblebees
Lowland Grassland Hedgehog
Potential Target Delivery Areas
Feature Site Local Authority Area
Grassland Albert Edward Dock North Tyneside
Grassland & Wetlands Silverlink Waggonway North Tyneside
Grassland Newburn Haugh Newcastle
Grassland Hadrian’s Way Newcastle/North Tyneside
Grassland/Scrub Paradise Newcastle
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Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan4. TRANSPORT CORRIDORS
4. Transport Corridors
General Description
Transport corridors are linear strips of
land adjacent to roads, railway lines,
metrolines, disused waggonways and
cyclepaths. The mosaic of grassland,
scrub, shelter belt and tall herb habitats
usually associated with these transport
corridors provide important refugia and
wildlife links, facilitating the dispersal of
plants and animals. characterised by similar habitats.
However, it is the extensive network of
Roadside verges in particular, can be disused waggonways (many now used
floristically diverse and often constitute as cycleways and bridleways) which are
some of the largest areas of semi- characterised by the oldest and most
improved grassland habitat as a result of diverse assemblage of verge and former
a lack of exposure to fertilizers and trackbed habitats.
pesticides. With intensive farming and
development becoming the dominant Hadrian’s Way, in particular, is an
land use in recent years, road verges important national trail providing walking,
have become increasingly valuable cycling and horse riding opportunities,
habitat for wildlife and are important whilst also acting as an important wildlife
wildlife corridors for the movement of corridor.
many animals.
Waggonways in particular, are important
Metrolines provide important links for habitats for encouraging species such as
wildlife movement between city, coast bats which like to forage along these
and countryside, via the network of areas for insects. The mosaic of mature
woodland, shrub and grassland habitat scrub and grassland habitats associated
along its edges. In addition, disused with some transport corridors also
waggonways which once transported provide breeding, feeding and dispersal
coal to the river, now function as opportunities for a range of bird species
important areas for species such as such as song thrush, barn owl, bullfinch
great crested newt, butterflies such as and linnet and provide vital conduits for
dingy skipper and a range of breeding those groups particularly dependent
birds.
Current Status
Major highways with mature semi-natural
habitats include the A1 Western Bypass
and A19 Trunk roads, the A189 Benton
Lane, the A1058 Coast Road, the A191
Whitley Road, the A1056 Sandy Lane
and Scotswood Road in Newcastle.
Active railways, namely the Metro Line,
the Intercity East Coast Mainline and the
Blyth & Tyne Railway, are also
16
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Planupon continuity of habitat (e.g. small Many linear features are subject to
mammals, invertebrates, etc). In addition insensitive management or lack of
4. Transport Corridors
4. Transport Corridors
4. Transport Corridors
metrolines in the area have been found management. For example, sections
to provide important habitat for the of scrub, hedgerow and tall grass are
movement of slow worms, a reptile insensitively cleared, strimmed or cut
protected under the Wildlife and (sometimes during the bird breeding
Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). season), leading to reduced wildlife
value, whilst species-rich grassland
Issues of Concern communities undergo succession to
other habitats if they receive no
Direct loss of linear features to management or over management
urban-industrial development, derelict through grass cutting.
land reclamation schemes and
agricultural activities. In addition, Due to their continuous nature linear
simplified habitats traverse all of the
landscaping schemes associated with urban-industrial areas of both
transport corridors sometimes fail to Newcastle and North Tyneside and
maximise the potential benefits to are particularly vulnerable to
wildlife. vandalism, accumulations of litter and
fly tipping.
Linear features are often subject to
A number of priority species are killed
disruption by road improvement
on busy roads every year, as there
schemes as well as statutory
are few or no opportunities for their
services, as they provide continuous
safe crossing.
strips of land suitable for laying
underground pipelines, cables, etc. Pollution of wetland habitats adjacent
to roads from salt and petrochemical
runoff can also have a detrimental
Objectives & Targets effect.
TRANSPORT CORRIDORS TARGETS TARGET PARTNERS
DATE
Produce roadside verge management strategy in partnership 2015 NTC, NCC
with Grounds Maintenance teams
Produce best practice guidelines for rail side land 2014 NTC, NCC
management to minimise disturbance to wildlife Nexus
Undertake habitat creation/management projects on five 2014 NTC, NCC,
sites along metroline Nexus
Ensure the installation of appropriate wildlife warning signs Ongoing NTC, NCC
or wildlife underpasses\bridges in areas where road kills are
considered to be negatively impacting on priority species.
Incorporate wildlife tunnels or other features in development Ongoing NTC, NCC
schemes where road kills are an issue.
Include oil/silt traps in the design of new road schemes Ongoing NTC, NCC
adjacent to sensitive wetland sites & watercourses
17
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanLinks to Other Plans
4. Transport Corridors
Habitat Action Plans Species Action Plans
Rivers & Watercourses Bats
Managed Urban Greenspace Dingy Skipper
Brownfield Land Urban Birds
Scrub, Shrub & Hedgerow Slow Worm
Lowland Grassland Bumblebees
Native Woodland Hedgehog
Amphibians
Potential Target Delivery Areas
Feature Site Local Authority Area
Grassland & Wetlands Waggonway Network North Tyneside
Grassland Hadrian’s Way Newcastle/North Tyneside
Grassland/Woodland Mosaic Nexus Metroline North Tyneside/ Newcastle
Hibernacula A1 & A19 North Tyneside/Newcastle
Grassland & woodland Scotswood Road Newcastle
embankments
18
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan5. OPEN WATER AND WETLAND Ponds provide habitat for a diverse range
5. Open Water & Wetland
of species including marginal and
5. Open Water & Wetland
4. Transport Corridors
General Description submerged plants, birds, aquatic
invertebrates, amphibians and
This action plan covers all open bodies mammals. The diversity of these habitats
of freshwater (natural ponds, mining is dependent upon pond type, location
subsidence ponds and pools, surface and pond management.
water balancing ponds, recreation and
amenity lakes, etc.) and their associated Reedbed is a wetland habitat dominated
marginal habitat (mosaics of reedmace, by large areas of common reed. A
reeds, rushes, sedges, tall herbs and number of other species occur within the
willows). Standing open water is found in reed stand but a significantly lower cover.
a variety of places, types and sizes. Reedbed occurs in association with open
Some are formed naturally, while others water and watercourses. The water
are man-made or influenced by man i.e. table is at or above ground level for most
subsidence wetlands. Ponds are of the year. Reed beds are particularly
normally defined by an area of up to 2 important for the breeding birds that they
hectares; anything larger is generally support. However reedbeds are a
classed as a lake. successional habitat and if they are not
cut or managed on a rotational basis
Man-made ponds and lakes include their value for wildlife decreases over
reservoirs, amenity ponds and those time.
created by mining subsidence and
flooding of gravel pits etc. Natural Fens are permanently waterlogged
waterbodies are those created by glacial wetland habitats, which can be fed by
action, natural subsidence or river either ground water, surface water run-off
activity. All waterbodies are classified or rainfall. They are classed as ‘poor’
according to their nutrient status. Nutrient where the water is derived from
rich or ‘eutrophic’ waterbodies are the base-poor rock such as sandstone, or
main type found in lowland areas, as a ‘rich’ where they are fed by mineral-
result of inputs from agricultural fertilisers enriched calcareous waters (pH 5 or
and sewage input. Those with more). Poor fens occur mainly in the
intermediate nutrient levels are termed uplands and are characterized by short
‘mesotrophic’ and those which receive vegetation with high levels of Sphagnum
very few nutrients are termed species, whereas rich fens are mainly
‘oligotrophic’. confined to the lowlands and are
characterized by an open vegetation
structure of mosses and species-rich
grassland. Fen habitats support a
diversity of plant and animal
communities including a high number of
invertebrates, such as dragonflies and
aquatic beetles as well as a range of
breeding birds.
Lowland raised mires are
characteristically raised mounds of peat
above the local water table, fed only by
rainfall. Associated species are mainly
mosses especially Sphagnum species
19
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanThere are in excess of 150 nutrient-rich
5. Open Water & Wetland
(eutrophic) waterbodies and associated
5. Open Water & Wetland
marginal habitats in North Tyneside and
Newcastle. These range from very small
pools of less than ten square metres to
large subsidence ponds and amenity
lakes covering several hectares.
Within Newcastle, reedbeds are currently
restricted to Gosforth Park Nature
Reserve, Newcastle Great Park and in
North Tyneside they occur at Weetslade
Colliery and Killingworth Lake.
with associated plants such as cotton Fen habitat is restricted to Sacred Heart
grass Eriophorum species. Drier areas Fen in North Tyneside and Dinnington
may have vegetation dominated by Fen in Newcastle. Prestwick Carr in
heather Calluna vulgaris. Newcastle is the only example of lowland
raised mire in South-east
A number of protected animals, including Northumberland. However it has dried
bats, otter, water vole, water shrew, out considerably over the last 70 years
kingfisher, black-necked grebe, bittern allowing the invasion of woody species.
and great crested newt are known to The raised mire is in poor condition as a
breed or feed in the vicinity of open result.
water and swamp habitats. Reed bunting
is a national priority species which Issues of Concern
breeds in these habitats alongside a
variety of other regionally declining or Lack of knowledge of the exact
uncommon waterfowl and wading birds distribution of all ponds and the qual-
such as little grebe, shoveler, pochard, ity of those that are known.
redshank, snipe and lapwing. Common
terns use artificial nest sites on larger Lack of knowledge of the
wetland when provided. Ponds also whereabouts of protected species in
support a range of wetland plants (e.g. ponds and lakes.
yellow iris, water mint, brooklime, marsh
marigold), and a diversity of amphibians Lack of management can lead to a
and aquatic invertebrate populations. proliferation of invasive species, to
the detriment of other species.
Current Status
Open water habitat can disappear
Ponds, lakes and marginal habitat are over a period of time through silting,
widespread throughout the UK, but build up of dead plant matter and
ponds have suffered a huge decline in overgrowth of marginal vegetation
numbers (greater than 75%) over the (natural succession).
past 100 years as a result of agricultural
intensification, pollution and poor or Over-clearance of ponds is also a
inappropriate management. This is problem, resulting in loss of
something of concern because of their vegetation, which subsequently
importance to wildlife such as otter, water reduces the diversity and quality of
vole and great crested newt. the pond.
20
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanSeveral ponds and lakes are used for duced deliberately or accidentally
5. Open Water & Wetland
active and passive leisure and from garden ponds and aquaria) such
5. Open Water & Wetland
recreation activities, such as as New Zealand Pygmy Weed
windsurfing and angling with (Crassula helmsii) and Canadian
occasional shooting on private Pondweed (Elodea canadensis).
waterbodies. People are naturally These tend to outcompete native
attracted to water and many ponds species of aquatic plants and can
and lakes are visited by walkers and seriously affect the diversity and
dogs. Insufficient control of these abundance of aquatic life.
activities can cause excessive
disturbance to wildlife, particularly Direct loss of ponds and marginal
breeding birds and mammals. habitats to development and infilling
by agricultural activities.
Pollution from urban, industrial and
agricultural runoff can be particularly Fragmentation effects caused by the
harmful to aquatic animal and plant isolation of ponds from other ponds or
communities in waterbodies. For from terrestrial habitat.
example, agricultural fertilisers cause
excessive nutrient enrichment Fly tipping/rubbish dumping and
(eutrophication) of waterbodies, infilling of ponds with waste.
leading to algal blooms and reduced
biodiversity. In addition, agricultural Restriction in the creation of ponds/
pesticides can be toxic to a range of open water habitat within a 13km
aquatic organisms. boundary of Newcastle airport due to
bird strike risks.
Several ponds have been invaded by
non-native species (probably intro-
21
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanTARGET
OPEN WATER & WETLAND TARGETS PARTNERS
DATE
5. Open Water & Wetland
5. Open Water & Wetland
Undertake pond mapping audit to help identify key sites 2014 NTC, NCC.
for further survey work. NWT, NHSN
Create 20 new ponds of conservation value in 2021 NTC, NCC,
appropriate areas with emphasis on providing stepping NWT, NE, EA,
stones between existing ponds of wildlife value. NWL, NHSN
Undertake management that will enhance the 2021 NTC, NCC, NWT,
biodiversity value of 20 ponds. NE, EA, NWL,
NHSN
Produce leaflet to raise awareness of wetland issues 2014 NTC, NCC
Assess the status of invasive, non-native species in 2015 NTC, NCC
ponds and lakes and implement a strategy for their
eradication or control.
Investigate Installation of common tern rafts in 2015 NTC, NCC,
appropriate locations NWT, RSPB,
Reedbed
Identify and map the location and extent of reedbed 2012 NTC, NCC
habitat in Newcastle & North Tyneside
Create1ha of new reedbed habitat 2015 NTC, NCC, EA,
NWT, NWL
Maintain and improve reedbeds in Gosforth Park and 2020 NTC, NCC,
Weetslade Country Park NHSN, NWT
Fen & Mire
Improve the condition of lowland raised mire at 2015 NCC, NWT, NE
Prestwick Carr
Improve the condition and increase extent of Sacred 2015 NCC, NTC, NWT,
Heart Fen and Dinnington Road Fen NE
General Open Water and Wetland
Record rare plant species listed by the botanical Ongoing NCC, NTC,
Society of British Isles www.bsbi.org.uk NWT, NHSN
22
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanLinks to Other Plans
5. Open Water & Wetland
5. Open Water & Wetland
Habitat Action Plans Species Action Plans
Rivers & Watercourses Bats
Urban Managed Greenspace Water vole
Brownfield Land Farmland Birds
Scrub, Shrub & Hedgerow Otter
Lowland Grassland Amphibians
Lowland Farmland
Potential Target Delivery Areas
Feature Site Local Authority Area
Pond Creation Silverlink Waggonway North Tyneside
Pond Restoration Weetslade Country Park North Tyneside
Pond Creation Golf Courses North Tyneside/Newcastle
Wetland Creation Backworth Woods/Backworth North Tyneside
Pond Creation West Moor North Tyneside
Fen & Pond Creation/ Sacred Heart Fen North Tyneside
Restoration
Wetland Creation Palmersville North Tyneside
Wetland Improvements Rising Sun Country Park North Tyneside
& Silverlink Biodiversity Park
Wetland Creation Wellfield North Tyneside
Wetland Creation Dickey’s Holm Farm North Tyneside
Wetland Creation St Mary’s Headland North Tyneside
Wetland Improvements Burradon Pond North Tyneside
Pond Creation Wallbottle Brickwork’s Newcastle
Fen & Mire Creation/ Prestwick Carr Newcastle
Restoration
Pond Improvements Brenkley Colliery Newcastle
Pond Improvements Ponds near airport Newcastle
Pond Creation Newcastle Great Park Newcastle
Wetland Improvements Moorey Spot Farm Newcastle
Pond Creation Big Waters Newcastle
Wetland Creation Gosforth Park Newcastle
Pond Improvements Sacred Heart Pond Newcastle
Pond Restoration Little Benton Newcastle
Wetland Creation Gosforth Park Newcastle
and Improvements Nature Reserve
23
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan6. RIVERS & WATERCOURSES have additional functions in an urban
environment, which include conveyance
6. Rivers & Watercourses
General Description of flood water, discharges from roads,
industry and sewage treatment works,
This action plan covers all streams and provision of water for agriculture and
watercourses characterised by flowing industrial use and also as a recreational
freshwater, as well as their associated resource. As a result, these functions
marginal and bankside vegetation. need to be managed in association with
their nature conservation interest, in
In their natural state, rivers and streams order to protect and enhance the
are dynamic systems which are biodiversity resource.
continually modifying their form. Many
small streams combine to form larger Although this plan is concerned with the
rivers that flow from upland to lowland channel and its associated habitats, it is
areas and eventually find their way to the also important that the impact of
sea. Streams and watercourses are surrounding land use on watercourses is
important for biodiversity at a national considered.
and local scale, as they hold a mosaic of
habitats supporting aquatic and Key species associated with
terrestrial wildlife. These include riffles watercourses include bats, as they pro-
and pools, which support a rich array of vide important insect-rich flyways for
aquatic invertebrates, as well as mar- these protected species. Otters use
ginal and bankside vegetation rich in watercourses such as the Seaton Burn
wildflowers and terrestrial fauna. and Ouseburn whilst the nationally
declining water vole occurs on a small
number of watercourses, but has
become increasingly isolated due to
habitat fragmentation. In recent years,
kingfisher have been recorded along the
Seaton Burn and the Ouseburn. In
addition, marginal vegetation along most
watercourses provides suitable feeding
and nesting habitats, as well as dispersal
corridors for priority birds such as reed
bunting, song thrush, linnet and bullfinch.
Current Status
There are a number of freshwater
In an urban context, they contain areas streams and watercourses in Newcastle
of semi-natural habitat and are extremely and North Tyneside. These vary
important in functioning as links and considerably in length, width, water
corridors for the movement of wildlife. quality and associated marginal
vegetation. North Tyneside’s
Most rivers in the UK have been watercourses include; Sandy’s Letch, the
physically modified by man at some time, Seaton Burn and the Brierdene and
for instance by flood defence measures Duchess Dene Burns. These generally
or flow regulation. This alters the traverse the open countryside areas to
patterns of sediment transport and the north of the borough in an easterly
nutrient exchange in river systems. They direction into the North Sea. The remain-
24
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Planing watercourses are effectively stream and river courses (protection,
6. Rivers & Watercourses
tributaries of the River Tyne and repair and maintenance), lead to
6. Rivers & Watercourses
6. Rivers & Watercourses
generally flow southwards through urban artificial habitats with an associated
areas of the borough. reduction in species diversity.
The Ouseburn is the largest and most Introduction or colonisation of
significant river in Newcastle (the River invasive species, such as mink, can
Tyne which is considered under the have a devastating effect on
Estuary and Coastal plan). There are a populations of priority species, such
number of smaller watercourses as water vole, along watercourses.
including the Reigh Burn, Dewley/New Other problem invasive species
Burn, Sugley Dene, Hartley Burn, include giant hogweed, Japanese
Whitecroft Burn and the Letch. knotweed and Himalayan balsam,
which are extremely difficult to
Issues of Concern control.
Pollution from point and non-point Inappropriate bankside management
sources such as agricultural can reduce the biological and
chemicals, storm sewerage structural diversity of marginal
overflows, domestic washing vegetation along watercourses and
detergents, industrial effluents, oil and reduce the opportunities for the
salt from roads and refuse tipping. survival and dispersal of priority
These all occur either singly or as a species. Typical examples include
combination, leading to nutrient excessive cutting of marginal or
enrichment and deterioration in water bankside vegetation, including grass
quality which adversely affects plant cutting, and overgrazing of
and animal life as well as impacting streamsides by livestock.
on human health and amenity.
Disturbance to streamside habitats
Water abstraction (groundwater and due to inappropriately located
river) which results in reduced flow developments or, in some cases, the
and a reduced dilution of pollutants. wholesale loss of sections of
watercourses and marginal habitats to
Land drainage and flood defence underground culverts associated with
structures, to maintain the shape of development.
25
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanTARGET
RIVER & WATERCOURSE TARGETS PARTNERS
6. Rivers & Watercourses
DATE
Raise awareness of non-native invasive species along Ongoing NTC, NCC, EA,
watercourses and encourage their control. NWT,NWL
Map non-native invasive species along 10km of 2021 NTC, NCC,
watercourse in Newcastle and North Tyneside
Promote the maintenance of riparian buffer strips with a Ongoing NTC, NCC,
minimum width of 2m along watercourses to improve NWT,
habitat for wildlife NE, EA, NWL
Ensure that any developments affecting streamside Ongoing NTC, NCC, EA,
habitats and associated wildlife are not permitted NWT
without appropriate and enforceable mitigation or
compensation. In addition, no development should
take place within 5m of any watercourse.
Deliver riparian improvements that will benefit wildlife 2021 NTC, NCC, NWT,
along a minimum of 5km of watercourse. EA, NWL, TRT,
NHSN
Incorporation of sustainable drainage systems on Ongoing NTC, NCC,
appropriate schemes to aid in the minimisation of high NWT, EA
flows and pollution from surface water.
Ensure there is no net loss of watercourses to Ongoing NTC, NCC, EA
culverting through planning or engineering works.
Links to Other Plans
Habitat Action Plans Species Action Plans
Native Woodland Bats
Urban Managed Greenspace Water vole
Scrub, Shrub & Hedgerow Farmland Birds
Lowland Grassland Otter
Lowland Farmland Amphibians
Open Water & Wetland
26
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action PlanPotential Target Delivery Areas
6. Rivers & Watercourses
6. Rivers & Watercourses
6. Rivers & Watercourses
Feature Site Local Authority Area
Stream de-culverting Balliol/Longbenton North Tyneside
Stream improvements Wallsend Burn North Tyneside
Pond Creation Golf Courses North Tyneside/
Newcastle
Stream Improvements West Moor North Tyneside
Stream Improvements Wellfield North Tyneside
Stream Improvements Palmersville North Tyneside
Stream Improvements Rising Sun/Hadrian North Tyneside
Pond
Stream Improvements Dickey’s Holm Farm North Tyneside
Stream Improvements Whitecroft Burn, Newcastle
Gosforth Park
Watercourse Improvements Brierdene Golf Course North Tyneside
Wetland Improvements Rising Sun Country North Tyneside
Park & Silverlink
Biodiversity Park
Drainage Improvements Denton Dene Newcastle
Wetland Improvements Prestwick Carr Newcastle
Watercourse Improvements Gosforth Golf Course Newcastle
Watercourse Improvements Ouseburn Newcastle
Watercourse Improvements Brush Technology/ Newcastle
Throckley
27
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan7. Managed Urban Greenspace
7. MANAGED URBAN
GREENSPACE
General Description
This action plan covers all publically and
privately owned areas of managed
greenspace in an urban area and
includes:
(i) Public cemeteries, churchyards,
parks, plantations, shelterbelts,
shrubberies, allotments, street trees,
open spaces, golf courses and playing
fields which are maintained by the local
authority.
(ii) Private gardens, golf courses,
allotments, industrial grounds and
playing fields which are maintained by
individuals or private contractors. include song thrush, blackbirds and
hedgehogs. Trees and scrub provide
valuable habitat for a range of birds,
small mammals, bats and
invertebrates.
Gardens & Allotments
These are managed for personal
enjoyment and often contain a variety
of valuable habitats including garden
ponds, wildflower borders and long
grass and shrubs. Such features
attract a diverse range of wildlife
including butterflies, bats,
amphibians, hedgehogs and a range
These areas have been broken down of birds.
into three major categories of managed
greenspace to help focus conservation Churchyards & Cemeteries
interest: Churchyards and cemeteries are
potential havens for biodiversity and
Parks & Amenity Grassland often contain large trees, unimproved
Include large areas that are managed grassland areas untouched by
for public use (parks, golf courses, fertilisers, pesticides or drainage and
sports fields, landscaped industrial are relatively undisturbed by people.
sites and open space). Amenity This often provides a rich diversity of
grassland involves intensive wildlife within the urban environment
management with a regime of cutting which ranges from bats and lichens to
and fertiliser application, herbicide a variety of birds. Wildlife benefits
use, watering and drainage. Some from the various habitat types
sites may contain trees, shrubs and provided by both informal and formal
flower borders and associated grassland areas, gravestones, trees
species found at such sites may and shrubs and deadwood.
28
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan7. Managed Urban Greenspace
7. Managed Urban Greenspace
7. Managed Urban Greenspace
Current Status Churchyards & Cemeteries
There are a large variety of managed Conflict between managing these
greenspaces in Newcastle and North areas for biodiversity and the ‘neat
Tyneside, ranging from small private and tidy’ approach
gardens to extensive public open spaces Poor public perception of the
and parks. These all vary in terms of biodiversity importance of
recreational use, visual appeal and churchyards and cemeteries
wildlife value. Areas such as sports fields Lack of understanding of appropriate
and amenity grassland have little management of these areas
conservation value. Gardens and
allotments, however, contribute Parks and Amenity Grassland
substantially to greenspace in terms of
area and offer increasing scope for The differing needs of management
enhancing biodiversity opportunities. for biodiversity with amenity grassland
Areas of managed greenspace and open space demands can often
characterised by significant tree cover conflict (e.g. mowing regimes)
provide suitable habitat for a number of Increasing isolation of such sites from
species including pipistrelle bats and other habitats, particularly within
noctule bat, the latter possibly roosting in wildlife corridors
mature trees. National priority species A variety of organisations own or
also occurring in these areas include manage these areas, particularly
song thrush, linnet, bullfinch, tree open spaces and shelterbelts, making
sparrow and spotted flycatcher. Areas of it difficult to agree management
managed open grassland habitat also policies for them
provide feeding opportunities for some of Use of non-native/local species in
these species as well as other priority planting schemes
species such as skylark, grey partridge Lack of understanding of the wildlife
and brown hare. value of these habitats
Recreational pressure which may
Issues of Concern disturb sites and create litter
problems
Gardens & Allotments Lack of nest sites as a result of
deadwood removal.
Demand for development land
leading to loss of allotments
Use of pesticides and fertilisers which
reduces diversity and insect
populations
Inappropriate management (i.e.
excessive tidiness, removing habitat
and food for some species)
Predation by domestic cats
Encouraging the spread of non-native
species (e.g. feeding grey squirrels,
garden escapes, Japanese knotweed
etc.)
29
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