Work is now underway to transform the former Potland Burn mining site, near Ashington, into a large-scale nature recovery and biodiversity project, marking a significant step in environmental restoration efforts across Northumberland.

The 268-hectare site is being redeveloped by Advance Green Futures, part of Advance Northumberland. Plans will see the former industrial land converted into a diverse landscape of grassland, scrub and ponds, forming a habitat bank designed to support wildlife and offset environmental impacts elsewhere.

The project aims to create a complex mosaic of habitats at scale, helping to compensate for the loss of rare environments such as open mosaic habitats typically found on brownfield sites. Alongside ecological restoration, the scheme will generate biodiversity net gain (BNG) units for developers, supporting compliance with national environmental regulations introduced in 2024.

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Once complete, the habitat bank is expected to provide new spaces for wildlife while demonstrating how former industrial land can be repurposed to support both environmental and economic goals.

Initial works are already in progress, focusing on land preparation and early habitat creation.

William Thompson, Director of Governance and Sustainability at Advance Northumberland, said: "Potland Burn has incredible potential to deliver large-scale, meaningful environmental regeneration. As a regeneration organisation, the start of onsite works is a significant milestone in a carefully planned programme that will restore habitats, enhance biodiversity, and create a landscape that builds a better future for all."

The development represents the first phase of a wider county programme aimed at landscape-scale nature recovery.

Mr Thompson added: "Under the national biodiversity net gain rules introduced in 2024, most new developments must deliver at least a 10 per cent improvement in biodiversity. Habitat banks like Potland Burn allow North East developers to meet these requirements while funding long-term environmental restoration."

The project will also incorporate advanced ecological monitoring technology to track species recovery, habitat health and environmental changes over time.

Image: Advance Northumberland