Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure

Biodiversity and Green Infrastructure

The natural environment is one of our greatest assets and includes a diverse range of habitats, from ancient woodlands and unimproved grasslands to sandy beaches and sea cliffs, as well as the species these support.  Many of these areas are designated for their nature conservation value, including a network of local wildlife and geological sites.  This biodiversity enriches our lives and contributes in turn to our economy and our health and wellbeing.

Across Sunderland, we have a range of designated sites, recognised at international / national or local level:

• International - 1 Special Area of Conservation (SAC), 1 Special Protection Area (SPA) and 1 Ramsar site;

• National - 17 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 5 Local Nature Reserves; and

• Local - 6 Local Geological Sites, 80 Local Wildlife Sites.

Further details of all of these designations and their locations within the city are shown on this Natural Environment Interactive Map 

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Local Nature Recovery Strategies are a new system of spatial strategies linked to nature recovery.  They will plan, map, and help drive more locally coordinated, practical, focussed action and investment for nature's recovery across the areas they cover.

The South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy will be one of 48 strategies that will together cover the whole of England.  The South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy will cover the Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead authority areas and is being jointly prepared by the three local authorities, with Gateshead appointed as the responsible authority.  

As they develop the Local Nature Recovery Strategy together, working with a wide range of organisations, partners and community groups, the three local authorities will agree priorities for nature's recovery.  They will map the most valuable existing areas for nature that we have already, and will also map specific proposals for creating or improving habitat for nature and for wider environmental goals.

More information on the purpose and preparation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-nature-recovery-strategies/local-nature-recovery-strategies

A dedicated website for the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy will be launched in the near future.

In the meantime, those wishing to register an interest in receiving further information, including how to take part in helping shape nature's recovery across Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead, can leave their contact details via the secure mailbox: LNRS@gateshead.gov.uk

Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document

Sunderland City Council is currently preparing a joint Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in collaboration with Gateshead and South Tyneside Councils.  Amongst other things, the SPD will set out the Council's approach to delivering mandatory biodiversity net gain within the city.  This has been introduced by Government as part of the Environment Act, and will be secured as part of new development.

In February 2020 the council undertook a public consultation on the Biodiversity SPD Scoping Report, which sets out the scope of the SPD and its intended aims.  Responses received in relation to the consultation will be taken into consideration when preparing the draft SPD, which will be subject to a future consultation. 

For those wishing to find out more about the Biodiversity SPD, please go to Planning Policy - Sunderland City Council.

Greenspace Audit

In order to better understand the quantity and quality of greenspace provision within the city, a Greenspace Audit has been undertaken.  This was originally developed as part of the evidence for the Core Strategy & Development Plan.  An interactive map of the audit has also been published. The audit will continue to be updated regularly as part of the evidence base for the Local Development Plan and will help to provide a basis on which to identify areas for improvement.

Green Infrastructure Strategy

As part of the evidence base for the Core Strategy and Development Plan, a Green Infrastructure Strategy and supporting Green Infrastructure Delivery and Action Plan were prepared.  These documents identify key Green Infrastructure Corridors within the city and identify potential actions which can be taken to improve these corridors.  These documents will be updated as necessary as part of the evidence base supporting the preparation of the new Local Development Plan.

North East Community Forest

The Council are a partner organisation within the North East Community Forest (NECF).  The project was established in 2021 and the Council is on-track to achieve its target of 45 hectares of planting by 2025.

Further details of the project can be found at: What are we doing? - MySunderland and on the NECF website at: North East Community Forest | Northeast Community Forest.

Low Carbon

Sunderland City Council are working to improve the natural environment across the city for the benefit of visitors and residents, as well as supporting our low carbon aims, outlined in Sunderland City Council's Low Carbon Framework.

Sunderland City Council's Low Carbon Framework is available at: A Low Carbon City - MySunderland