Tees Estuary bird habitat scheme planned

Plans for a £2.3m scheme to create a habitat for birds on the Tees Estuary have been unveiled.

The Environment Agency said the scheme would replace other sites in the area which will be lost because of rising sea levels.

It would involve creating 22 hectares of inter-tidal saltmarsh and mudflat at Greatham Creek.

The plans have been submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council and if approved work would start in May.

The scheme would involve building a new flood bank which would allow two breaches to be made in the current embankment without increasing flood risk, the Agency said.

The gaps would allow the tide to flow in and out to create a mudflat and saltmarsh which would attract a number of species.