LPA: Darlington Borough Council

NCA: Tees Lowlands

Enhanced Phase 1 2024

An ambitious and exciting phased series of works to enhance a former golf course consisting of woodland, scrub and grassland - much of which is seasonally wet - to re-create a mosaic of habitats for the benefit of wildlife, including the local Otter population.

The scheme is designed from the outset not only to increase the biodiversity and wildlife habitat of the local environment, but to involve the public in how and why the works are being done. Education and information will be at the heart of the project, with sympathetic access and enjoyment of the environment growing as the scheme progresses and it offers a unique opportunity for house builders, developers, and ecological consultants seeking off-site Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) solutions or broader environmental and conservation commitments to form a Strategic Partnership with the hotel.

Works have started with willow scrub planting to the southern end of the land which is subject to seasonal flooding from the River Skerne and following the Foresty Commission's advice, Woodland enhancement are also being carried out on the various deciduous woodland stands, which are within the Forestry Commission's Social criteria zoning and on the National Forestry Inventory.

Pond enhancements within Fringe 4 of the Great Crested Newt Strategic Opportunity Areas will provide an excellent localised extension of habitat linking to the nearby isolated Redcar Field SSSI. Later in Spring, grassland enhancements to the former course fairways and roughs will link all the various habitats together and provide a dramatic boost to biodiversity alongside the River Skerne.

Phases 2 & 3 are set to expand in a similar manner, along with waterourse enhancements encompassing wetlands and ponds that will also reduce nutrients entering the River Skerne and thus improving the aquatic environment, the Tees catchment as a whole and the Teesmouth & Cleveland Coast RAMSAR sites.

Conversion progress

• Baseline Metric Survey
• Scrub Enhancement
• Woodland Establishment
• Pond (Watercourse) Enhancement