North East Mayor Kim McGuinness and local leaders have set out ambitions to unlock jobs and opportunity across the rural and coastal economy, and take action to protect the region’s rural areas, beaches and beauty spots.
Set over 3,000 squares miles, the North East is home to world-class rural and coastal landscapes, including Northumberland National Park, two National Landscape areas in Northumberland Coast and the North Pennines, and over 500km of coastline. The region plays a crucial role in supporting farming, food and forests and boasts a substantial visitor economy.
Following Cabinet approval of £17m investment to support early priorities, members of the North East’s Rural, Coastal and Environment Advisory Board met to launch a new Investment Plan this week.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “When I took office I promised to govern for the all the North East, and no place would be left behind or overlooked. Now we are making good on that promise, and taking steps to grow our rural and coastal economy, and preserve the landscapes and beauty spots that make our North East the place on earth to live, work and visit.”
Cllr Glen Sanderson, Portfolio holder for environment, coastal and rural at the North East Combined Authority and leader of Northumberland County Council, said: "As a largely rural county, we welcome this fresh approach to investing in our unique natural environmental, economic and cultural assets.
"Many of the ambitions in this plan will benefit the entire region, including accelerating the transition to net zero through investment in natural assets, supporting local nature recovery, building resilience to climate change impacts, and improving people’s health and wellbeing.
"By working together we can ensure we will deliver on our six priority areas."
The Investment Plan sets out six priorities to protect the region’s unique landscapes, and help rural and coastal places to thrive.
- Net zero and food. Protecting the supply and security of food and timber, helping rural businesses reduce their carbon emissions, and generating more renewable energy.
- Adapting to climate change. Investment to improve resilience to extreme weather and flooding, by investment in natural prevention and defences.
- Nature recovery. Planting more trees, helping wildlife and wetland habitats recover and reducing pollution in the region’s rivers and water.
- Health and wellbeing. Ensuring people from all backgrounds and every part of the region have access to nature, to help improve health and wellbeing.
- Rural business. Backing firms with business support to grow, create new jobs and improve the skills of local workers.
- Rural and coastal community support. Regenerating villages and towns and develop investment opportunities in remote areas, to help all places across the North East grow.
Local leaders will work together to leverage further investment in the priorities for rural and coastal areas, an approach which has been backed by leaders and experts across the North East.
Tony Gates, Chief Executive of Northumberland National Park, said: “The approval of this Investment Plan so early in the life of the North East Combined Authority is greatly welcomed. It is great to see investment planned for local nature recovery, enhancing farm profitability, and enhancing people’s health and wellbeing through access to nature. This plan provides an opportunity to integrate rural, coastal and environment matters with the overall growth plan of the region, enabling the North East to be at trial blazer for the rest of the country.”
Jim Cokill, Director of Durham Wildlife Trust, said: “Our region is home to internationally important natural environments, but like all areas of the country nature is in decline. This initial investment can help start the process of reversing that decline, which will benefit people and wildlife across the region.”
Professor Sally Shortall, Director of the Centre for Rural Economy, Newcastle University, said: “This investment plan shows the farsighted thinking of the North East Combined Authority. It is taking an integrated approach to development of our region, with food production working in tandem with carbon storage, and rural and coastal development in step with well-being.”