A major project to restore coastal grasslands along the Durham Heritage Coast has been completed, marking a significant boost for local wildlife and public access. The effort, which officially concluded in 2026, focused on revitalising magnesian limestone grasslands stretching from Nose’s Point near Seaham to Blackhall Rocks.
The £1 million initiative was led by Durham County Council and the Heritage Coast Partnership, with collaboration from the National Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust. The majority of the funding, totalling £975,000, was provided by the UK Government’s Species Survival Fund. This project is part of a wider national effort to stop the decline of native species by 2030.
These coastal grasslands are globally unique, as they represent the only location in the world where magnesian limestone is exposed at the coast. The area is highly significant for nature, hosting 92 per cent of Britain’s para-maritime magnesian limestone grassland habitat. It is home to 83 nationally scarce invertebrate species and 13 nationally scarce plant species, including the Northern Brown Argus butterfly, for which Blackhall Rocks serves as a national stronghold.
The restoration work involved planting over 21,000 trees and shrubs, restoring ponds and hedgerows, and improving more than 11 kilometres of paths for public use. A major outcome of the project is the creation of Tina’s Haven, a 34-hectare nature reserve at Warren House in Horden. Named in memory of Tina Robson, the reserve is designed to provide a space where both the community and nature can recover and thrive.
Community involvement played a central role in the project’s success. Volunteers, local groups, and schools participated in nearly 100 events, ranging from habitat management and large-scale planting to educational sessions and wildlife surveys.
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