The Tees estuary is one of those ‘against the odds’ places. Large chunks of it have been lopped off for development yet nature has endured amongst the ship-breakers and chemical plants. So, it’s good to be able to report some positive news.
Responding to pressure from Natural England and the RSPB, a housing developer in Hartlepool has revised their plans for 458 houses next to the shoreline. By pulling the houses back from the coast, their defences will no longer cause the loss of intertidal habitat.
The risk was that rising sea levels would squeeze the life out the muddy, food-rich intertidal areas over the next few decades. The modification of the design literally takes the pressure off the oystercatchers, redshanks and sanderlings that depend on this area each and every winter.
It’s a really welcome step, and shows that it is possible to have new development and protect the environment if the will is there. The developer, working with the local Council has also come up with a package of mitigation measures to reduce the disturbance that all those houses - and all their dogs - will have on the birds there. As is often the way, the devil is in the details, and the RSPB - contrary to a report in the local press - is maintaining its objection to the development until we are fully satisfied that there will be no extra disturbance to wintering waders.
The Tees estuary is part of the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast Special Protection Area and its status has been a key element in working towards a development design that delivers effective protection to yet another special place – you’ll have noticed that’s a regular message in this blog!
If you get the chance to visit the Tees - do visit The RSPB's Saltholme Wildlife Reserve and Discovery Park