News

Heritage Lottery Fund award opens up Horden's Heritage Coast

Durham Heritage Coast Partnership has been awarded a grant of £281,500 to develop Horden Denes as a gateway to the Durham Heritage Coast. The denes cover around 200 acres of the coast at Horden with fabulous flowers growing on the magnesian limestone grassland of the coastal slopes and denes. Access to the area is hampered by a lack of clear signs and directions - a network of paths will be created with seating, signs and information and the main access points will be transformed into welcoming entrances to the coastline. Schools and other community groups will be involved in developing the project, as well as local residents and businesses. The full press release can be found under the press release section of the website. For any further information please contact the Heritage Coast team on 0191 3834640.

Hendon Beach Improvements

The works on Hendon Beach have been carried out and the work on the leas behind is starting and will greatly improve the area - further details coming soon.

Little Terns at Crimdon

50 pairs have nested and 106 chicks have fledged. In addition the volunteer rangers report that the little tern protection has resulted in 33 ringed plover chicks. Many thanks to Trevor Stephenson and the rest of the volunteers for their tremendous effort over this season. A great result!

Shoreline Management Plan 2

Now that the public consultation period is over, all responses received need to be fully considered and any revisions to the Draft SMP2 agreed.

A SMP2 Project Management Group (PMG) is in place to work on the revisions/additions. Where sound technological, socio-economic or environmental information has been provided during the consultation period and is likely to alter policy at specific loations, the implications do need to be re-evaluated. The PMG will determine the extent and impact of any changes and prepare a consultation report with written feedback to consultees.

This report will be made available on the website to ensure all consultees can view how their specific comments have been addressed.

A copy of the final draft SMP2 will be placed on the SMP2 website and then formally submitted to the elected members of the six Coast Protection Authorities (CPA). It will remain as a final draft until adopted by all CPA’s and received by Defra.

It is anticipated that the consultation responses will be addressed and the final draft developed during November/December 2006 and a final round of stakeholders meetings will take place during January/February 2007. Finally each CPA will need to adopt the SMP2, this is anticipated to occur in March/April 2007.

Dawdon

This project will make Dawdon the jewel in Durham Heritage Coast's crown. This gateway project for Noses Point, Dawdon is now underway. This ambitious plan covers footpath improvements, easier beach access, interpretation and habitat enhancement. This project also includes training opportunities and the chance to get involved and help out with habitat improvements, such as wetland creation and tree planting.

Habitat works have started on site. Any further information on this project - please contact Louise Harrington on 0191 3833741.

Coast and Countryside Volunteers

The Coast and Countryside Ranger Service is always seeking to recruit volunteers to help with environmental improvements.  Give us a call to find out how you can help with environmental projects and input into any improvements you'd like to see, perhaps become a volunteer ranger and gain new skills and training.  This will cover coast and countryside management, wildlife surveying and communication skills. The training and activities can be tailored to suit your interests and needs.

You can contact us or telephone Louise on 0191 3833741.

Help Improve Your Local Area

Take part in a certified training course in countryside management.

• Gain practical experience and skills.
• Learn about the natural history of the costal landscape.

Some of our Volunteers at Seaham Hall Litter Pick event, September 2006