Press release - 07 Apr 2010

Rare species find a home at former landfill

A former Tyneside landfill has been designated as an important local wildlife site by Durham Wildlife Trust.

Kibblesworth landfill, now the Bowes Valley Nature Reserve, is home to the rare Dingy Skipper butterfly and protected birds such as the Little Ringed Plover. The site also counts Brown Hare, Roe Deer, 15 species of dragonfly and amphibians such as newts amongst its inhabitants.

The Bowes Valley Nature Reserve covers an area of 36 hectares and is located 7 Kilometres south of Newcastle, next to the village of Kibblesworth. The site was used for clay extraction from 1955 and as a landfill from August 1985, managing the disposal of waste from local homes and businesses until its closure in 2001.

The site’s owners and operators, SITA UK maintain the site as part of its 25-year aftercare programme and has invested £1.5 million in landscaping and restoration works. This includes footpaths for public access, car parking and visitor information boards.

Local Wildlife Sites support both locally and nationally important habitats and wild species. They are designated based on a biodiversity assessment by the Local Wildlife Sites Partnership, which includes representatives from Durham Wildlife Trust, Gateshead Council, South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council.

“For a site to be designated as a Local Wildlife Site, it has to meet strict criteria on biodiversity. For this site to have passed our criteria illustrates what a good job SITA UK has done restoring it.” Said Durham Wildlife Trust Conservation Officer, Karen Devenney. “Local sites such as this contribute to the quality of life and well-being of the community, provide opportunities for research and education as well as playing a significant role in meeting overall national biodiversity targets.”

“This is a welcome step in recognising the special value of this site and highlights the commitment of SITA UK in restoring its former landfills so that they encourage wildlife and present lasting value to the environment and the local community,” said SITA UK Closed Landfill and Environment Manager, Tommy Johnson.