We can't afford to let the North East environment suffer

Jun 20 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

Environment Editor Tony Henderson on the pressures bearing down on the North East’s precious natural assets

THE quality natural environment of the North East must not be allowed to suffer because of the economic downturn, a new study warns today.

Natural England’s Newcastle regional headquarters has produced what is the first State of the Natural Environment in the North East report.

It says: “The North East is a place of exceptional beauty encompassing an unequalled diversity and wealth of natural environmental features.”

But these will face “immense pressures”, it is predicted.

The major natural assets of the North East include:

31% of the region is in a national park or area of outstanding natural beauty.

265,000 acres are designated as sites of special scientific interest, with 84% in a favourable condition.

A rich diversity of important habitats, from hay meadows to sand dunes, and species from red squirrels to black grouse.

Nearly 80% of agricultural land under some sort of agri-environment management.

Fifteen national nature reserves totalling 39,245 acres.

The region has 41% of the English total of upland hay meadows, 15% of the national share of sand dunes, 18% of blanket bog, 19% of upland heath and 70% of magnesian limestone grasslands. Just how much of the region is open space is illustrated by the study’s findings that of the 2.5 million people in the North East, 70% live in only 10% of the region’s land area, along the river corridors of the Tyne, Wear and Tees.

The North East has the lowest proportion of people living in rural areas – less than 10% compared with the national average of 28.5%.

Two thirds of the region is sparsely populated, with large swathes of uplands.

But the study warns: “In the context of the current economic downturn, Natural England is concerned that the protection of the natural environment is not relegated below any other concerns.

“We believe it would be folly to do so, given the potential economic benefits that the natural environment provides and the additional costs, through climate change impacts, that failure to protect the natural environment will bring.”

The study maintains that the natural environment has a significant role to play in the health and wellbeing of people in the North East.

Rob Aubrook, newly-appointed regional head of Natural England, says: “What we show is the significant benefit the natural environment has for businesses, our people and our places, as well as how it can help the region adapt to climate change.

“Our natural environment is not a luxury, or an extra. It is an integral part of our social and economic well being in the North East.

“But in challenging financial times, it is all too easy to focus attention solely on the economy but a healthy natural environment makes a huge contribution to people’s lives and to our economy and is a key to solving many of the problems of the 21st Century.

“It can play a major part in the future of the region and there is strong evidence to show that we can improve on what is a really special place.

“This report is a call to action. We have a great base on which to build, but we still have much to do to conserve our wildlife and landscapes.” Prof David Hill, Natural England board member, says: “There are considerable challenges for the people and places in the North East.

“The challenges of rebuilding economic productivity, increasing consumer and business confidence, sustaining jobs and the impacts of climate change demand a long-term and sustainable response.

“The pressures on the natural environment from housing, energy and food production, to name just a few, will be immense.”

The study concludes: “The past decade has seen some levelling off in declines in some habitats and species. But more needs to be done.

“The shoots of recovery over the last decade only go some way to replacing the massive declines compared to 50 years ago.”