An overview of the environmental assets of the region

Environmental profile

© Copyright Natural England
The North East Regional Economic Strategy recognises that ‘The quality of the environment, both built and natural, is one of the region’s most important assets. This underpins the quality of life in the North East’


The North East region contains some of England's highest quality environment. This includes a varied coastline, upland heath, hay meadows, woodlands and two world heritage sites; Hadrian's Wall and Durham Cathedral and Castle. Around 30% of the region's land area is designated as protected landscapes (13% is designated as National Park and 18% as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), comprising the North Pennines AONB (1,330 km2)  and Northumberland Coast AONB (135km2).

In addition, 138km of the coastline in the North East is designated as Heritage Coast comprising the North Northumberland Heritage Coast, the Durham Heritage Coast and part of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast and there are 10,370 km of rights of way and 251 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSIs). However, despite improvements in condition os SSSIs in recent years there remains some problems facing the region's wildlife heritage.