Half of all green belt land neglected

Jan 30 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

HALF of all the green belt land in the North East is in a neglected condition, it has been revealed.

Natural England and the Campaign to Protect Rural England have carried out the first major survey of the environmental state of the country’s green belts.

Natural England says: “Neglect of the landscape is a particular concern.”

This includes loss of historic parkland, woodland, and features such as hedgerows and stone walls.

There are 177,000 acres of green belt in the North East.

Green belts were established to check urban sprawl and separate towns, safeguard the countryside from encroachment and preserve the identities of settlements.

But the study says that green belts have the potential to be much more.

Natural England regional spokesman David Hirst said: “Parts of the green belt could be a much more attractive landscape, with nature conservation features, and with benefits for wildlife and people through healthy recreation.

“They can also play their part in the local food economy.”

The survey found that 83% of people questioned in the North East would prefer to buy food produced in their local green belt areas.

Green belt land will also have a part to play in climate change by acting as a cooling band around built-up areas, absorbing heavy rainwater and as carbon storage areas.

Mr Hirst said that agri-environment and other grants could help farmers restore woodland and landscape features.

One of the neglected green belt areas in the region is in the south east Northumberland coastal area.

But Mr Hirst said that the National Trust’s recent acquisition of Seaton Delaval Hall and 400 surrounding acres offered exciting opportunities for improvement in the area.

The project to reintroduce red kites to the North East in the Derwent Valley on the edge of Gateshead and Newcastle is also held up as a national green belt success story.

But green belts are facing a number of challenges, including pressure from development and rising population.

Helen Phillips, Natural England’s chief executive, said: “By containing urban sprawl, the green belt has been a great success story of post-war planning.

“Now we need to look at ways in which it can expand on its success to date and play a full role in supporting the wider network of protected areas and open spaces. The green belt is an important environmental resource that managed effectively can help tackle climate change, support wildlife and provide health and leisure opportunities for millions to enjoy”.

Shaun Spiers, chief executive of CPRE, said green belts were a vital, but fragile, environmental asset.

“ Where green belt land is underused, or in poor condition, the answer is to improve its quality, not to build on it,” he said.

The North East green belt is mostly arable land and grassland.

Only 15 acres of North East green belt coincides with land designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

More than 1,100 acres are registered as sites of special scientific interest, representing 1% of the region’s green belt. A further 550 acres are devoted to local nature reserves, public access and recreation and 1,100 acres are country parks.

Broadleaf and mixed woodland cover 16,600 acres.

Asked what green belt activities they would like to undertake in the next year, people in the North East most commonly chose:

Visiting green belt land on a day out with family/friends.

Visiting green belt land for peace and quiet.

Visiting to see wildlife or bird watching.

When asked what they would like to see more of in the green belt, those surveyed in the region opted for nature reserves, woodland walks and new parks.