Coquet Restoration Project

Description

The Coquet Estuary Restoration Project aims to restore tidal connectivity and create wetland habitats between Warkworth and Amble. This will reverse historic land management impacts, improve the estuary's ecological status from Moderate to Good in line with the Northumbria River Basin Management Plan (2015), and deliver mitigation for the effects of historic sea defences. This phase of the project looks to increase the freshwater habitats on the land on the west of the A1068 Road ( see figure 1 below), in future years there will be opportunities to explore intertidal connectivity in other phases of this project. Objectives 1. Develop a Single Stage Business Case (SBC) to provide wetland habitats to targeted land parcels. 2. Deliver the programme of works as highlighted in the appendix 1 deliverables list. 3. Enhance wetland habitats to meet Biodiversity Net Gain targets. 4. Build upon Outline design concept ( Figure 2 above) to provide a detailed design that can be handed to our contractors for delivery. 5. Support carbon reduction through habitat-based sequestration. 6. Improve protected areas and contribute to Water Framework Directive (WFD) compliance. 7. Collaborate with Northumbrian Water, Northumberland Estates, and Northumberland County Council to integrate works with wider schemes. 8. Enhance public amenity by improving rights of way and encouraging safe environmental interaction.