Yorkshire Wolds Could Become Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Plans to designate the Yorkshire Wolds as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are being discussed at a series of drop in sessions starting today.

Natural England is the Government’s adviser on the natural environment and has powers under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to consider which areas of countryside are nationally important for their outstanding natural beauty  and then to designate such areas as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, if it is desirable to do so for the purpose of conserving and enhancing their natural beauty.  

In June 2021, a written ministerial statement by Secretary of State, George Eustice (Defra) announced that Natural England ‘will be taking forward the government’s commitment to designate additional protected landscapes and is currently considering the designation of four new areas’.  This includes the possible designation of a new Yorkshire Wolds AONB.

Natural England say the drop in events events will provide information on the AONB designation process and the implications of designation. 

Neil Pike from Natural England says they want to hear peoples views on the idea and the proposed boundaries of the area.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are designated for the purpose of conserving and enhancing their natural beauty. There are 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England including the nearby Nidderdale and Howardian Hills AONBs.  Designation as AONB means giving an area special legal protection.

Once an area has been designated by Natural England, activities relating to the purpose of AONB designation are coordinated and led by local authorities, who also have a legal responsibility to produce a Management Plan for the area. In carrying out their duties they often form wider partnerships with other organisations.  In addition, any public body (national or local) taking a decision or undertaking activity that affects land in an AONB has a duty to have regard to the conservation and enhancement of its natural beauty when carrying out their work.  AONBs are largely funded by a contribution from the local authorities in the area and a grant from Defra and may also seek additional funding from other sources.

The area which would be covered by the proposed AONB designation is described as :

"an arc of high, gently rolling ground extending from the Humber Estuary west of Hull, to the North Sea coast at Flamborough Head, north of Bridlington. It comprises a prominent chalk escarpment and foothills rising from the Vale of York to the west and the Vale of Pickering to the north, and falling to the plain of Holderness to the east. A very low proportion of the area is urban and woodland, and the vast majority of the land is agricultural. Woodland planting is restricted to small, scattered woodland blocks on higher land and steeper slopes."

Neil Pike from Natural England says it's a special part of the country.

The proposal to create new Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty cam following an independent review of the natural landscape commissioned by the Government in 2019.

Neil Pike says the new push for AONB's does seem to be focused on the North of England.

The first drop-in sessions are taking place today and tomorrow :

Thursday 9th June:

• 09:00 to 14:00 Strawberry Fields car boot, Bridlington
• 10:00 to 14:00 Bempton & Buckton Village Hall
• 15:00 to 18:00 Weaverthorpe Village Hall
• 14:30 to 17:30 Kilham Village Hall

Friday 10th June:

• 10:00 to 16:00 Settrington Village Hall
• 10:00 to 16:00 Kirkburn Village Hall

Further drop-in sessions are planned for 21st, 22nd and 23rd June.

Views can also be submitted online at https://www.yorkshire-wolds-designation-project.org/have-your-say