Wildlife-boosting nature recovery plan for South Tyneside, Sunderland and Gateshead moves forward

The local authority’s cabinet of senior councillors, at a meeting this week, were presented with a report on the South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS).

Gateshead Council has been appointed by DEFRA (The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) to lead the development of the strategy for the South of Tyne and Wear area, which includes South Tyneside, Gateshead and Sunderland.

The LNRS is being developed with the aim of outlining clear priorities and potential actions to improve nature and reverse biodiversity decline, as well as mapping areas where conservation efforts could have the greatest impact.

Councillor Ernest Gibson, South Tyneside Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, presented a report on the LNRS at the latest meeting of the Labour cabinet on Wednesday (November 5, 2025).

This included a recommendation for the document to proceed to public consultation which, after being approved by three councils, is expected to begin on November 27, 2025, running for seven weeks.

Minor revisions to the draft may also be made ahead of consultation beginning.

Cllr Gibson told the cabinet meeting that the LNRS would “set out what nature we have, what is declining, the actions we could take to help recover this, and where the actions are needed most and where has been impacted most”.

The senior councillor noted the Local Nature Recovery Strategy is a “key tool” for information and planning, decisions around land, attracting funding and “guiding the delivery of biodiversity net gain”.

“Its benefits include health, climate resilience, care for wildlife and community wellbeing, identifying areas of habitat to create enhancements which will have the most impact on implementation,” Cllr Gibson added.

“Public consultation is a legal and vital step to ensure the strategy reflects the priorities.”

A report prepared for South Tyneside Council’s cabinet recommended that the local authority “formally supports and facilitates the statutory public consultation on the draft South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy”.

It was noted that the “collaborative approach ensures the council remains actively engaged in shaping the strategy, maintains momentum towards adoption and demonstrates ongoing commitment to nature recovery and statutory obligations.”

Following public consultation, councillors were told that the final Local Nature Recovery Strategy is expected to be produced and submitted to all three councils involved by June, 2026.

In a previous statement, Cllr Ernest Gibson said that “nature recovery can only succeed if it’s embraced and supported by the whole community”.

The senior councillor noted that “public consultation is a vital step” and would allow the council to “tap into the local knowledge of residents, landowners, farmers and community groups”.

“This plan will help restore habitats, support the recovery of species and create more nature-rich spaces for everyone,” Cllr Gibson added.

“We’re proud to have played a key role in shaping the draft strategy and look forward to supporting the consultation so that local voices are at the heart of this important work.”

For more information, visit: www.natureplan.org.uk

The draft South of Tyne and Wear Local Nature Recovery Strategy can also be viewed via South Tyneside Council’s website.