County Durham pasture converted to wildlife habitat to cut nitrogen pollution

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

A former sheep pasture near Barnard Castle will be restored as wildlife habitat to reduce nitrogen pollution and support housing development.

A former sheep pasture near Barnard Castle in County Durham is to be transformed into the Westwick Habitat Bank, a wildlife-rich landscape restoring nearly 25 hectares as protected habitat for lapwings, oystercatchers and other species. The site, intensively grazed by sheep and located about seven kilometres from the North Pennine Moors Special Protection Area, had limited wildlife value before the restoration began.

The project aims to cut nitrogen pollution reaching Teesmouth, an environmental concern linked to regional housing growth. The scheme is expected to stop around 290kg of nitrogen reaching Teesmouth's protected habitats each year by restoring the land and changing how it is managed. Dr Gabriel Connor-Streich, CEO and principal environmental scientist at Greenshank Environmental, said the project creates 'a practical connection between the homes the area needs and the recovery of its natural environment'.

Developers in the Tees catchment must meet rules requiring them to offset wastewater nitrogen pollution and deliver at least 10 per cent biodiversity net gain on new developments. Greenshank Environmental will oversee the restoration before handing the land to a conservation charity for long-term protection and management. The project comes as County Durham faces pressure to build more than 2,000 homes a year.

How it is being reported

• County Durham pasture to become wildlife habitat aimed at cutting nitrogen pollutionCounty Durham’s Westwick Habitat Bank near Barnard Castle will restore 25 hectares for wildlife, cut nitrogen pollution reaching Teesmouth and support new homes.The Northern Echo · 15 Oct, 05:00
• County Durham pasture to become wildlife habitat aimed at cutting nitrogen pollutionCounty Durham’s Westwick Habitat Bank near Barnard Castle will restore 25 hectares for wildlife, cut nitrogen pollution reaching Teesmouth and support new homes.Darlington & Stockton Times · 15 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Westwick Habitat Bank · Barnard Castle · County Durham · Teesmouth · Greenshank Environmental · North Pennine Moors Special Protection Area · Tees

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