Natural England - The Limestone Landscapes Partnership

The Limestone Landscapes Partnership

Over the previous decade a number of landscape-scale partnership projects, such as the “Mineral Valleys” Project, have delivered benefits for people in the North East.

Background

Utilising the Natural Environment as a key driver Natural England wanted to take the ‘Best Practice’ and ‘Lessons Learned’ from such projects forward to deliver sustainable development through long-term landscape-scale partnership working. A conference in March 2007 established the feasibility of such a partnership for the Magnesian Limestone Natural Area.

The Limestone Landscapes Partnership was developed through a participative stakeholder engagement process in a series of workshops in February and March 2008. The partnership was formally established with the first meeting of the Task Group on 22 April 2008.

In early 2009, the Partnership received support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through Round 1 of the Landscape Partnership Scheme. In December 2010, the Heritage Lottery Fund confirmed that the submission to the Landscape Partnership Scheme at Round 2 has been successful.

This has unlocked an HLF grant worth £1.9m over three years and will attract a further £925k in match funding and in-kind contributions, to help conserve the distinct character of the Magnesian Limestone Plateau.

What is it all about?

The Limestone Landscapes Partnership will act as a first demonstration project, informing the work of Natural England, relevant local authorities and other partners.

The Magnesian Limestone Plateau is a wide area stretching almost from Tyne to Tees and from the coast to central Durham. The area is unique, with common themes and patterns in the landscape and strong links between natural and cultural heritage.

The Limestone Landscapes Partnership is working with many different partners – local groups, landowners and interested parties to conserve the landscape, wildlife and rich heritage of the Magnesian Limestone and enable communities to learn about, enjoy and celebrate their local area.

Who is involved?

The Limestone Landscapes core team have been recruited and are starting to work with partners on the first years projects.

Currently the Partnership’s board contains representatives from 17 different organisations. There are also 11 partner organisations delivering projects as part of the Limestone Landscapes programme. For further information on the partners and the project please see the Partnership website:

http://www.limestonelandscapes.infoexternal link

or contact the Limestone Landscapes Core Team

C/O Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham DH1 5UQ
Email: limestonelandscapes@durham.gov.uk 
Tel: 0191 383 4076

Programme Manager – Tony Devos
Heritage Officer – Ken Bradshaw
Interpretation and Community Engagement Officer – Ian Moran
Finance Officer – Michelle Morris
Project Administration – Beverly Stoker

More information

For more information on the biodiversity in the partnership area, please download the Natural Area Profile: (1.4mb)pdf document.

For more information about the landscape in the area, please visit the Durham Magnesian Limestone Plateau landscape page.

Documents for download

The Limestone Landscapes partnership commissioned three separate studies to further develop the partnership and to close some key gaps in the current knowledge about the area’s assets.

For those interested in the development of the the Limestone Landscapes Partnership or landscape-scale partnerships generally, the key reports are listed below for download.

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