The natural way to boost tourism

Jun 12 2007 By The Journal

The transformation of 1,000 acres of former wasteland into a major new visitor attraction is underway, thanks to a multi-million- pound partnership which includes significant investment from the European Regional Development Fund.

The RSPB and the Teesside Environmental Trust are working together to convert the Saltholme site between Billingham and Seaton Carew into a wetland nature reserve near the mouth of the River Tees.

The ground-breaking wildlife conservation and tourism project will create 23 new jobs and expects to attract 100,000 visitors each year.

It will be one of the largest tourist attractions in the region, providing visitors with an unique opportunity to see wildlife and adding over £1m per year to the local economy.

Habitat creation work is involving major earth-moving and re-landscaping of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of soil, clay and industrial waste.

New lakes, pools, grasslands and reed-beds will attract exciting and rare species, with bittern, marsh harrier and avocet expected to colonise the reserve. The same habitats will also encourage popular and more familiar wildlife such as kingfishers, swans, herons, butterflies and dragonflies.

An educational wild bird discovery centre will be at the heart of the Saltholme nature reserve, providing a family-friendly experience of wildlife, and facilities for recreation and community activities

Regional development agency One NorthEast approved the funding package, investing £2.3m through the Tees Valley Partnership.

The European Regional Development Fund is contributing a further £1.4m towards the total project cost of £7m. Saltholme will be opened to the public in 2008.

Peter Smith, head of European Programmes, at Government Office for the North East, said: "We've backed this inspirational project to enhance the tourism potential of the Tees Valley.

"It'll link into other ERDF-funded tourism projects, such as mima in Middlesbrough, demonstrating how our wide range of investments is broadening the visitor experience as a whole."

PICTURE CAPTION FOR EITHER PICTURE: Saltholme Nature Reserve