Yorkshire Wolds bid to become 'area of outstanding natural beauty'

Set in some of the gentlest countryside in England, its chalky uplands are home to steep-sided valleys and tranquil villages.
Sheep on a hillside overlooking a Wolds valley formed by a glacier millennia ago Picture: James HardistySheep on a hillside overlooking a Wolds valley formed by a glacier millennia ago Picture: James Hardisty
Sheep on a hillside overlooking a Wolds valley formed by a glacier millennia ago Picture: James Hardisty

The Yorkshire Wolds has many fans, including artist David Hockney, who painted hundreds of landscapes during his stay in Bridlington.

Now East Riding Council wants to see the Wolds recognised as part of the Government’s 2020 pledge to increase the number of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and National Parks in England.

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Created by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949, AONBs represent 18 per cent of the finest countryside in England and Wales and are designated because of their flora, fauna, historical and cultural associations as well as scenic views.

David Hockney's A Bigger Picture celebrated the landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds Picture: Yui Mok/PA WireDavid Hockney's A Bigger Picture celebrated the landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire
David Hockney's A Bigger Picture celebrated the landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds Picture: Yui Mok/PA Wire

There are 33 in England ranging from moors to water meadows and the hope of local councillors is that the Wolds will become the 34th.

Wolds Weighton councillor Leo Hammond said the benefits were “two-fold, protecting the environment, whilst supporting the economy”.

He added: “AONB status allows for much greater protection in terms of long-term conservation and most importantly enhancement of our beautiful natural environment and heritage.

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“This fits in with the council’s green agenda to tackle climate change and will benefit all residents by protecting the precious landscapes and character of the area we so greatly respect and have the privilege to call home from overdevelopment and the wrong type of development.”

The unique landscape of the Wolds around Thixendale Picture James HardistyThe unique landscape of the Wolds around Thixendale Picture James Hardisty
The unique landscape of the Wolds around Thixendale Picture James Hardisty

In 2014, East Riding Council bid for AONB status, at a time when protecting the area from the spread of wind farms was a key driver for campaigners. Natural England, partly because of budget cuts, only tweaked the boundaries of the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths and the Surrey Hills AONBs.

Coun Hammond, who lives at Yapham, said the council had jumped at the opportunity to resubmit the bid after Boris Johnson announced plans to protect more of Britain’s “iconic landscapes” in November.

He said he hoped getting the designation would protect special features like the chalk lanes as well as rights of way, which can be lost if not regularly used for more than three years.

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He said: “Tourism is a massive part of the East Riding economy, especially on the coast and it would be good for our area to benefit a bit more.

“Campsites, holiday cottages, bars and restaurants in Market Weighton and Pocklington, they would all benefit.

“We as ward councillors just want to get the message out that the bid is in and want to encourage people to support it.”

If the Yorkshire Wolds’ bid is successful, it will be the first AONB to be designated in 25 years.

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The smallest is the Isles of Scilly - at just 6.2 square miles, while the largest is the Cotswolds. All English and Welsh AONBs have a dedicated AONB officer and other staff.

If Natural England accepts the bid, the council will create a management plan which will go out for public consultation.

Each AONB has a management plan that sets out the characteristics and special qualities of the landscape and how they will be conserved and enhanced.

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