August 21, 2026

Project Update: Nature Recovery in the Ouse Burn

Over spring and summer, I’ve been working with the Project Board and local partners to pull together a joined-up approach to nature recovery across the Ouse Burn.

This links closely with the recent Ouse Burn Way Improvement Plan, which gives us a shared direction for improving access, heritage, water quality and biodiversity. The aim now is to turn that vision into practical projects that make the valley greener, healthier and easier to enjoy.

Lower Ouse Burn Nature Partnership

In the Lower Ouse Burn, I’m supporting a new partnership with Ouseburn Trust, Ouseburn Farm and Wild Intrigue to improve green links, access and urban habitats, so more people can enjoy nature close to home.

A big part of this is helping communities shape and take ownership of local projects. We’re also exploring funding options so the strongest ideas can grow into longer- term, community-led work.

Parks Project

For the Parks Project, we are looking at how we can bring together the parks from Haddricks Mill to Newington Road as one connected network, with a focus on heritage, biodiversity, climate resilience and better access.

This would include Jesmond Dene, Paddy Freemans, Heaton Park, Armstrong Park, Jesmond Vale and Ouse Burn Park. Assessments would help shape one overall plan for the network, plus individual management plans developed with park users and local communities.

We’ll keep working with partners to make sure this supports the wider nature recovery programme and fits alongside existing parks management.

Middle Ouse Burn Nature Corridor

For the Middle Ouse Burn, we’re looking at how we can restore a stronger wildlife corridor along the river and its tributaries, supporting better water quality, more wildlife and stronger ecological links. The focus runs from Salters Bridge to Brunton Bridge, where early work has already identified river restoration opportunities.

Upper Catchment Nature Corridor

In the upper catchment, the long-term ambition is to create a stronger nature corridor from the Ouse Burn’s source to the Tyne, helping to build a cleaner, greener and better-connected valley.

We’re looking at funding options so that early planning can continue and the project is ready when opportunities arise. There is already a lot happening in this area, and both small projects and larger schemes can help create better-connected habitats over time.

Sustainable Travel: Ouse Burn Way Route and Access Improvements

We are also looking at sustainable travel improvements for the Ouse Burn Way, including better routes for cycling, walking and wheeling.

This would involve active travel experts and look at tricky access points, such as the crossing from City Stadium to Newington Road, as well as routes that support nature, manage rainwater and make journeys more pleasant.

That could include rain gardens and sustainable drainage features, while making sure the routes link clearly with other active travel plans and connect communities, parks, heritage sites and nature-rich spaces.

National River Walk

We’re also keeping an eye on the new National River Walks funding. We’re exploring how the Ouse Burn could link with the Tyne-Derwent Way to create a longer walking route from Gibside through the Ouse Burn. The funding is focused on improving access to blue-green spaces, including things like signage and waymarking, and decisions are expected later in 2026.

Overall, our focus is on keeping these projects moving in the same direction, with better access, cleaner water, more wildlife, protected heritage and stronger local connections at the heart of the work.

If you’d like to know more or get involved, please email me at the Ouse Burn Way: ouseburnway@newcastle.gov.uk

Basil Dean
Ouse Burn Way Development Manager