91热爆

The RSPB and the Teesside Environmental Trust are working together to transform 1,000 acres of former agricultural and industrial land near to Seal Sands.

The innovative plans include a visitor centre which will be visible from the main road, and unlike other conservation schemes the buildings are designed to blend in with the environment.听

Habitat creation work on site will involve major earthmoving and re-landscaping of hundreds of thousands of tonnes of soil, clay and industrial waste.

Dave Braithwaite from the RSPB

Part of what was once an industrial site has already been transformed into a wild flower meadow, derelict land has become a new wetland home for hundreds of birds and new reed beds will attract new and exciting wildlife.

Dave Braithwaite, the site manager, talked to 91热爆 Radio Cleveland's Tim Ellingford about the development:

"We've got a huge amount of work before the grand opening, currently there's very little infrastructure... and we have to build it all in just over a year and a half.

"The wonderful thing about Saltholme is it's a large chunk of land in the middle of what is a heavily industrialised landscape, but the surprising thing is, when you're in the middle you could be miles away from anywhere it is a surprisingly quite and secluded place.

"I think that's part of the charm, there is something of the wilderness still to be had here in the North Tees marshes."

Hear Tim Ellingford's interviews with Vic Fairbrother, David Hirst and Dave Braithwaite by clicking the links at the top right of this page...you can also see what the site looks like now by looking at our photogallery.