Northumberland 4shores
Northumberland 4shores is an exciting new way of managing coastal flood risk along the Northumberland coast. It will increase the natural beauty and specific habitats along this rare, unspoiled coastline.
This partnership project is working with landowners and farmers to breach chosen floodbanks allowing the tide to flow over fields and create habitat improvements.
4shores aims to create over 200 ha of new habitats to attract a range of wildlife, as well as provide natural flood protection.
By removing defences to allow natural coastal processes to occur, and by re-directing freshwater drainage we will create the following habitats on farmland:
- Coastal saltmarsh
- Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh
- Estuaries and mudflats
- Reedbeds
- Freshwater pools and marshes
The Northumbria Flood Defence Committee has invested £380,000 in the project. Support for farmers to create wetlands is coming from the Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme.
Lead partner
Environment Agency
Other partners
Natural England, Northumberland AONB, FWAG, Northumberland Flood Defence Committee
Action plans that the project helps to deliver
Farmland birds
Fen, marsh and swamp
Lowland meadows and pastures
Reedbed
Saltmarsh and mudflat
Trees and hedgerows
Start date
Oct 2006
End date
2013
Funded by
Northumberland Flood Defence Committee (Local Levy Programme)
Who to contact for further information
Northumberland 4Shores Project Officer
0191 203 4088
07770 792 747
