Durham Biodiversity Partnership : Biodiversity and Communuity Strategies Project

The Biodiversity and Community Strategies Project in Chester-le-Street, was one of a series of pilot projects developed by English Nature, and the only one based in the north east of England. The aim of the project was to integrate biodiversity provision into the community strategy produced by Chester-le-Street District Council, via participation in the local strategic partnership process. The method chosen was based on practical biodiversity delivery by a series of community based voluntary groups, which would form a federation which would elect a representative to sit on a sub group of the District's Local Strategic Partnership.

From the very beginning of the project emphasis was placed on ensuring that practical projects were carried out that delivered the targets and actions contained in Action for Wildlife - The Durham Biodiversity Plan.

The second guiding principle of the project was the community planning process undertaken to develop the Community strategy. The Community Planning process grew out of the 'Local Government Act (2000) - Community Strategies', which places a duty upon local authorities to prepare Community Strategies that will:
"enhance the quality of life of local communities and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development in the UK through action to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of an area and its inhabitants.'

The project promoted training and implementation of the following practical schemes:

"The project has demonstrably enhanced many aspects of individual groups working and appreciation, with the sharing of skills and training assisting old and new volunteers to get better results in the field, and within their individual or community management activities. Actions taken by participating groups are reasoned and framed with reference to other activities (community, economic etc.) in the geographic and social areas concerned.'
Paul Griffin - Chair of Chester-le-Street Federation of Environment Groups