SeaScapes was a National Lottery Heritage Fund Landscape Partnership Scheme and was the only one to be focussed on the coast. The scheme covered the area between the Tyne to the Tees rivers. There were a wide range of partners including the four councils of Durham County Council, Hartlepool Borough Council, South Tyneside Council, Sunderland City Council working alongside a range of archaeological, environmental and charitable partners including the National Trust and Durham Wildlife Trust. There were almost 20 partners, bringing their expertise and knowledge.
A legacy board now meets quarterly to ensure that the impacts of the scheme continue.
The project was worth almost £5 million made up of a grant of £2,787,200 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and match funding from partners. The project:
Delivered 23 projects, enhancing the natural, cultural and built heritage of the Tyne to Tees coast, increasing our understanding and engaging with local communities.
Enabled capital works to built heritage to consolidate, interpret and improve access to Hartlepool’s Harbour High Light, Red Acre Point and Sunderland’s Wave Basin Battery.
Engaged a wide range of local audiences with the history and cultural heritage of the coast through volunteer research projects, community archaeology and accessible interpretation. Including recording local residents and their past experience of the coast and of their coastal food experiences.
Created volunteer groups to record biodiversity and undertake shipwreck photogrammetry, creating accessible data for enhanced future management of coastal heritage. A new PADI course in Photogrammetry was created.
Enhanced beach access at six locations, with links to the existing King Charles III England Coast Path National Trail and cycle routes. Interpretation complements schools engagement and guided walks. At Hartlepool a new cycle and a new walking route has been created.
Delivered a dedicated BlueScapes engagement programme, providing activities aimed to encourage greater and responsible recreational use of the sea.
Built a new Conservation Centre was built at National Trust Souter site to showcase the area’s diverse heritage with a focus on marine conservation, providing space for volunteer groups and public education activities.
Enabled hundreds of volunteers to be engaged with beach clean up activities and surveys.
Provided a £41,328 community scheme to offer a range of organisations and landowners funding to enhance habitats, conserve built heritage and run complimentary community projects.
SeaScapes Partners
SeaScapes would not be possible without the passion, commitment and expertise of our partners
