III. Species Action Plans - Newcastle City Council

7. Managed Urban Greenspace
7. Managed Urban Greenspace
Current Status
There are a large variety of managed
greenspaces in Newcastle and North
Tyneside, ranging from small private
gardens to extensive public open spaces
and parks. These all vary in terms of
recreational use, visual appeal and
wildlife value. Areas such as sports fields
and amenity grassland have little
conservation value. Gardens and
allotments, however, contribute
substantially to greenspace in terms of
area and offer increasing scope for
enhancing biodiversity opportunities.
Areas of managed greenspace
characterised by significant tree cover
provide suitable habitat for a number of
species including pipistrelle bats and
noctule bat, the latter possibly roosting in
mature trees. National priority species
also occurring in these areas include
song thrush, linnet, bullfinch, tree
sparrow and spotted flycatcher. Areas of
managed open grassland habitat also
provide feeding opportunities for some of
these species as well as other priority
species such as skylark, grey partridge
and brown hare.
Issues of Concern
Gardens & Allotments
Demand for development land
leading to loss of allotments
Use of pesticides and fertilisers which
reduces diversity and insect
populations
Inappropriate management (i.e.
excessive tidiness, removing habitat
and food for some species)
Predation by domestic cats
Encouraging the spread of non-native
species (e.g. feeding grey squirrels,
garden escapes, Japanese knotweed
etc.)
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Churchyards & Cemeteries
Conflict between managing these
areas for biodiversity and the ‘neat
and tidy’ approach
Poor public perception of the
biodiversity importance of
churchyards and cemeteries
Lack of understanding of appropriate
management of these areas
Parks and Amenity Grassland
The differing needs of management
for biodiversity with amenity grassland
and open space demands can often
conflict (e.g. mowing regimes)
Increasing isolation of such sites from
other habitats, particularly within
wildlife corridors
A variety of organisations own or
manage these areas, particularly
open spaces and shelterbelts, making
it difficult to agree management
policies for them
Use of non-native/local species in
planting schemes
Lack of understanding of the wildlife
value of these habitats
Recreational pressure which may
disturb sites and create litter
problems
Lack of nest sites as a result of
deadwood removal.
7. Managed Urban Greenspace
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan