A new service dedicated to safeguarding the precious North Tyneside coast could be funded by a tariff on new developments in the borough.
On Monday 29 July, the council’s cabinet will discuss whether to adopt a new supplementary planning document, which includes a financial contribution from developers towards conservation projects at the coast.
Parts of the North Tyneside coastline are protected as international sites of biodiversity, within the Northumbria Coast Special Protection Area, and the council has a statutory duty to ensure it does not give planning consent to anything that could have an adverse effect on these sites.
A report to cabinet states: ‘any development that potentially increases the number of visitors to the coast, such as new homes or visitor accommodation, could have a potential adverse effect upon international sites’ as a result of the increased disturbance that could arise for important bird species and coastal habitats.
Under the plans, a tariff would be payable on new residential developments and tourist accommodation, such as caravan parks and hotels. The level of tariff would be greater for planning applications within 6km of the coast.
The money raised would be used to fund a new coastal warden service and physical improvements, as well as work to safeguard natural habitats and species.
If cabinet agrees the proposals, drawn up following a consultation exercise with key stakeholders earlier this year, it would ensure the council meets its statutory obligations to protect European-designated sites and is based on policies laid out in the North Tyneside Local Plan, the document which guides future development in the borough.
North Tyneside’s Deputy Mayor Councillor Bruce Pickard said: “Our award-winning coastline is one of North Tyneside’s greatest assets.
“But as our borough grows and visitor numbers increase further, it’s important that we continue to protect the coast’s natural environment.
“That’s why we’re exploring introducing a new financial contribution on new housing developments, which would fund additional measures to ensure there are no adverse effects on the protected habitats and wildlife at the coast.
“The proposed tariff will be a fair way for developers to address the impacts of their development, protecting our sensitive coastal environment from disturbance.
“It’s important that we take action to ensure that the resources are in place so that population pressures and the associated levels of economic activity do not threaten our coastal habitats. It’s a balance we are determined to get right.”
An estimated £2.2m could be raised to fund the annual costs of the service over the next 13 years, enabling continued delivery of 16,500 homes required in North Tyneside between 2011 and 2032.