The Coquet Nature Recovery Plan aims to enhance the natural environment and restore the biodiversity of the River Coquet catchment, which had been impacted by human activities and climate change.
AECOM was tasked with developing a Nature Recovery Plan for the River Coquet catchment, including the River Coquet and Coquet Valley Woodlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Northumberland, UK. The River Coquet is one of the most important salmon and trout rivers in the Northeast of England and is of national significance for nature conservation. However, the habitat quality within the catchment have deteriorated in places due to anthropogenic pressures and loss of climax community biodiversity.
Local nature recovery strategy
The project is one of the first Local Nature Recovery Strategies to be implemented under Defra’s new Nature Recovery Network initiative to increase, improve and join-up wildlife-rich places across the whole of England. This called for a comprehensive plan that would identify key ecological assets and recommend measures to protect and enhance them. The plan was to be based on an understanding of the complex interactions between the different ecological components of the estuary and its wider landscape.
To develop the Coquet Nature Recovery Plan, AECOM analysed the geomorphology, landscape, and ecology of the entire Coquet catchment, including the river and its surrounding land. We modelled aquatic and terrestrial habitat networks and how they had been fragmented by human activity over time. We then developed landscape and waterscape restoration plans to support the reinstatement of the catchment habitat network, focusing on river corridors as primary migration pathways.
Extensive stakeholder engagement
The project involved extensive stakeholder engagement, including workshops, site visits, and consultations with local communities and interest groups. Visual opportunity maps and habitat network illustrations were presented to local landowners and fishery groups, as well as the Environment Agency and Natural England.
Habitat restoration
By working closely with stakeholders and using the latest scientific knowledge and best practices, AECOM was able to develop a comprehensive plan that will strategically improve specific areas along the River Coquet to benefit ecological networks across its whole catchment area. The plans will benefit natural flood management, ecology and biodiversity, sustainable fisheries management, and help reduce the impacts of climate change.