February 17, 2026

Newcastle City Council Endorses Ouse Burn Way Improvement Strategy

Newcastle City Council Cabinet has endorsed the Ouse Burn Way Improvement Strategy, marking a significant milestone for the future of the Ouse Burn Way Vision.

Last night Cabinet agreed to:
i) Endorse the Ouse Burn Way Improvement Strategy.
ii) Endorse the Ouse Burn Way Vision and Improvement Strategy as primary guidance documents against which all development in the Ouse Burn catchment area will be measured.
iii) The Council leading on sustainable travel and connectivity aspects of the Ouse Burn Way Improvement Strategy in line with the Council’s Movement Strategy.

The Ouse Burn Way project presents a unique opportunity to bring a partnership approach to enhancing the quality of the Ouseburn in terms of accessibility, heritage, water quality, and biodiversity. This decision confirms a clear and coordinated approach to shaping development across this important part of the region.

The strategy sets out a focused vision to ensure that all future public and private development contributes positively to the environment, local communities and the area’s heritage.

This endorsement of the Ouse Burn Way Improvement Strategy means that the strategy will provide primary guidance documents against which all development in the Ouse Burn catchment area will be measured, and that the Council will lead on sustainable travel and connectivity aspects of the Ouse Burn Way Improvement Plan in line with the Council’s Movement Strategy.

With the Cabinet’s approval, new procedures will guide planning and development so that proposals align with key priorities, including:
• Improving water quality and the wider natural environment
• Enhancing biodiversity and creating space for nature
• Supporting sustainable travel and improving connectivity
• Driving regeneration while respecting and celebrating heritage

Anne Reece, Chair of the Ouse Burn Way Project Board, said:
“Cabinet’s endorsement provides a strong foundation for growth and investment guided by a shared vision centred on people, nature and place. This is about making sure change in the Ouse Burn area happens in a way that benefits both current and future communities. This approval enables partners to move forward with confidence as work progresses into the next phase.”

The focus will now shift to implementation, collaboration with stakeholders, and advancing projects that reflect the strategy’s ambitions.

The Ouse Burn Way initiative is supported by the Reece Foundation, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency, united in the goal of creating a cleaner, greener and more accessible Ouse Burn Valley.

The Ouse Burn Way is a seven-mile urban wildlife corridor from the mouth of the Ouseburn to Weetslade Country Park. Its vision goes beyond wildlife, improving water quality, enhancing wellbeing, and creating spaces for communities to connect with nature. The Reece Foundation’s £1 million Ouse Burn Way fund supports local projects that make this vision a reality.