Conserving and Enhancing

 

the

 

Howardian Hills National Landscape

 

2025-2030

 

 

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

 

Chair’s Welcome

Part 1:   Introduction

Part 2:   Legal and Policy Framework

Part3:   About the Howardian Hills

Part 4:  Vision, Outcomes and Objectives

            4.1 Climate

            4.2 Natural Environment

            4.3 Historic Environment

            4.4 Built Environment

            4.5 Living and Working

            4.6 Visiting

Part5:   Partnership Delivery

 

Chair’s Welcome

The 2025-2030 Howardian Hills National Landscape Management Plan has been devised after a tremendous and extensive stakeholder engagement exercise that took place over an 18-month period.

 

In addition to evaluating the views expressed in the consultations and the input from the various public bodies connected with our stunning National Landscape, numerous public events were organised across our rural communities.   These were attended by many residents, farmers, businesses and representatives from the local parishes, amongst others.

 

We are witnessing the evolution of an exciting chapter in the story of our country’s protected landscapes.  There is an increased national awareness of the role that we can play, not only to address some of the environmental, health, social and economic challenges we face, but also to seize new opportunities.

 

Since the previous Management Plan, a new name of the family of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty has been introduced.   The term ‘National Landscape’ conveys the status of the Howardian Hills and the other AONBs, what they represent and what they can offer.

 

The success that we have delivered within the Howardian Hills National Landscape over the past few years would not have been possible without the enormous hard work and dedication of a small, but effective, team. Therefore, on behalf of the Howardian Hills Partnership, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Ellie, Rosy, Fran, Chess, Nick and Tony. Congratulations on what you have achieved and best of luck with the implementation of this Management Plan.

 

Councillor George Jabbour

Howardian Hills National Landscape Chair

 

Part 1: Introduction

 

The Howardian Hills is defined in law as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), designated in 1987 and renamed as a National Landscape in 2023.

 

The area covers 204 sq. km (79 sq. miles) of the North Yorkshire countryside, nestled between the North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Wolds and the Vale of York. It is a unique and captivating landscape with its well-wooded rolling countryside, patchwork of arable and pasture fields, scenic villages and historic country houses with classic parkland landscapes.

 

Box 1: A National Landscape is an area that is so precious that it is safeguarded for the nation.

 

The Howardian Hills Partnership, supported by a small staff team based in Helmsley, is funded by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and North Yorkshire Council and works to ensure the natural beauty of the area is conserved and enhanced.

 

This Management Plan, developed through consultation with partners and members of the public and renewed every five years, sets out the strategic vision for the area and defines objectives for its management. It covers all aspects of its natural beauty, how to conserve and enhance its special features of geology, nature, heritage, industry and culture, balances the needs of the local community and delivers through a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing this distinct and special place.  

 

It is a strategic document which is designed to remain unchanged for the five year Management Plan period, with detailed actions and targets contained in a supporting Action Plan, open to adaptation in response to changing external or internal circumstances.

 

 

Part 2: Legal and Policy Framework

 

Creation of national assets

In the immediate wake of the second world war, national government issued new legislation governing health, education, agriculture and development planning. Likewise, they had the foresight to designate special areas of the countryside for the nation, to protect them from inappropriate development, celebrate and conserve their distinctive features, encourage sustainable agriculture and foster local economic well-being. Thus, the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 provided the framework for the creation of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, and also addressed public rights of way and access to open land.

 

Box 2: A protected landscape is an area that is so precious that it is safeguarded for the nation.

 

To date, the UK is home to 61 Protected Landscapes: 15 National Parks and 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (now known as National Landscapes). A Yorkshire Wolds candidate area is actively under consideration and its boundary would be contiguous with the south eastern boundary of the Howardian Hills.  Designation of new Protected Landscapes sits under the remit of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with the designation process delivered by Natural England. 

 

Box 3: UK protected landscapes map

 

Protected Landscapes are irreplaceable national assets, special and cherished places, visited by more than 260 million people a year whilst still being living, working landscapes and home to over 2.3 million people. They sit within the wider international Protected Area Family, defined as ‘Category V - Protected Landscapes’, recognised as ‘cultural landscapes, produced through the interaction of humans with nature over time and to be managed in the interest of everyone – local residents, businesses, visitors and the wider public - and protected for future generations’.

 

Each Protected Landscape has been designated based on its unique character and natural beauty, a quality which goes well beyond scenic or aesthetic value, to include the relationship between people and place. It encompasses everything, natural and human, that makes an area distinctive and gives it a ‘sense of place’. This includes the area’s geology and landform, climate and soils, sense of wildness and remoteness, tranquillity and dark skies, wildlife and ecology. It also includes the historic environment with its rich history of human settlement and land use over the centuries, archaeology and buildings, cultural associations and the people who live in it, past and present.

 

National Landscapes versus National Parks

National Landscapes and National Parks are of equal status with regard to landscape quality and both share the highest level of protection in law, including in national planning policy. However, there are differences in their purposes and management arrangements.

 

The primary statutory purpose of designation of a National Park is to conserve and enhance natural beauty, with a secondary statutory purpose to promote understanding and enjoyment of the area's special qualities, and a duty when delivering these purposes to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of their local communities.

 

Box 4: National Landscapes and National Parks are of equal status with regard to landscape quality and both share the highest level of protection in law, including in national planning policy.

 

The statutory purpose of designation of a National Landscape is to conserve and enhance natural beauty

 

In contrast, a National Landscape is designated for the single statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing its natural beauty.

 

In pursuing this purpose, there are two additional non-statutory duties:

·         To take account of the needs of agriculture, forestry, and other rural industries and of the economic and social needs of communities, wherever this can be done without compromising the primary purpose of conserving natural beauty and with particular regard paid to promoting sustainable forms of social and economic development that in themselves conserve and enhance the environment.

·         To meet the demand for recreation so far as this is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses.

 

Whereas National Parks have their own independent authorities with full planning powers, the responsibility for management of National Landscapes sits with local authorities, usually supported by a National Landscape Partnership comprised of a group of relevant stakeholders and a small staff team.

 

National Landscape Partnerships own no land and have no statutory powers, so their work is delivered by convening strong networks with landowners, farmers and partner organisations, working together to plan projects and to secure funding to deliver them.  They offer a uniquely integrated perspective in decisions about land use: convening conversations, bringing people together, and enabling a sustainable balance of priorities for nature, climate, people and place.

 

Box 5: National Landscape Partnerships own no land and have no statutory powers, so their work is delivered by convening strong networks. 

 

Thus, National Landscapes in particular are seen as leading the way in pioneering voluntary partnerships engaging and working with local communities to secure common goals for integrated countryside management.

 

Legislative and policy framework

Since the 1949 Act, the legislative and policy framework has continued to strengthen and shape the concept of Protected Landscapes, and to define how they are managed.  Some of the most important are listed below.

 

A strengthened duty on relevant authorities

The Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) requires ‘relevant authorities’ to ‘seek to further the statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area’ when coming to any decisions or exercising or performing any functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in a National Landscape. It is important to ensure that ‘to conserve and enhance’ is treated as a singular purpose, i.e. both parts are considered together. ‘Relevant authorities’ include:

 

Box 6: To seek to further the statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty.

 

The duty relates to any functions that a relevant authority might undertake ‘in relation to, or so

as to affect, land in an area of outstanding beauty’ (National Landscape), i.e. functions which are

not only within a National Landscape, but also, for example, activities and developments outside its boundaries, in the ‘setting’, that have an impact within the designated area.

 

The use of the word ‘duty’ in the legislation means that it is something all relevant authorities must do; it is not discretionary and they must consider this duty in parallel with their other statutory duties or obligations (such as for example duties within the Highways Act 1980, the Water Industry Act 1991, the Water Resources Act 1991, and the Town & County Planning Act 1990) and each duty or obligation must be met - none takes priority over any other.

 

The duty is considered to be a strengthening of a previously defined ‘duty of regard’ and is considered to require an active approach on the part of the relevant authority and they must take all reasonable steps to explore how to deliver it. They should be able to demonstrate, with evidence, how they have fulfilled the duty and how compliance with the duty has been embedded in all their processes, including for example preparing strategies, work programmes and budgetary allocations, operations manuals, internal codes of practice, protocols, routine maintenance, project planning and decision-making.

 

Additional duties for Local Authorities

Local Authorities have additional statutory duties defined in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000:

 

Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes

Defra’s 2024 Protected Landscape Targets & Outcomes Framework (PLTOF) sets expectations for England’s Protected Landscapes to deliver 10 national targets, with delivery embedded in each individual Protected Landscape Management Plan (see Box 7). All targets are of relevance to the Howardian Hills National Landscape except Target 7, as there is no deep peat in this area.

 

Box 7: PLTOF table

Target 1: Restore or create more than 250,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats within Protected Landscapes, outside protected sites by 2042 (from a 2022 baseline).

Target 2: Bring 80% of Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSIs) within Protected Landscapes into favourable condition by 2042.

Target 3: 60% of SSSIs within Protected Landscapes assessed as having ‘actions on track’ to achieve favourable condition by 31 January 2028.

Target 4: Continuing favourable management of all existing priority habitat already in favourable condition outside of SSSIs (from a 2022 baseline) and increasing to include all newly restored or created habitat through agri-environment schemes by 2042.

Target 5: Ensuring at least 65% to 80% of land managers adopt nature friendly farming on at least 10% to 15% of their land by 2030.

Target 6: Reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in Protected Landscapes to net zero by at least 2050 relative to 1990 levels.

Target 7: Restore approximately 130,000 hectares of peat in Protected Landscapes by 2050.

Target 8: Increase tree canopy and woodland cover (combined) by 3% of total land area in Protected Landscapes by 2050 (from 2022 baseline).

Target 9: Improve and promote accessibility to and engagement with Protected Landscapes for all using metrics based on those in our Access for All programme.

Target 10: Decrease the number of nationally designated heritage assets at risk in Protected Landscapes.

 

Planning law

In UK planning law, National Landscapes enjoy the same levels of protection from development as National Parks, though responsibility for planning policy in National Landscapes lies with the relevant local authority whereas in National Parks it lies with the National Park Authority.

 

This means that while the Management Plans themselves do not form a direct part of the Local Development Plan they are, nevertheless, vitally important documents in the planning system as:

 

The 2024 revision of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out National Government’s current planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied by Local Planning Authorities. It places an obligation on local planning authorities to ensure that in developing planning policies and making planning decisions ‘great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks, the Broads and National Landscapes’ which have ‘the highest status of protection in relation to these issues.’

 

NPPF states that ‘the scale and extent of development within these designated areas should be limited. Planning permission should be refused for major development other than in exceptional circumstances, and where it can be demonstrated that the development is in the public interest’. Thus, though NPPF contains a presumption in favour of sustainable development, this only applies unless ‘the application of policies in this Framework that protect areas or assets of particular importance provides a strong reason for restricting the overall scale, type or distribution of development’ (in the case of plan-making) or ‘provides a strong reason for refusing the development proposed’ (in the case of decision-taking) including those relating to National Landscapes, other important designations and designated heritage assets. A National Landscape Management Plan may propose criteria for judging what might count as sustainable development within the area.

 

A new North Yorkshire Local Plan is in preparation. Until its publication, the Ryedale and Hambleton Local Plans remain as the key relevant local planning policy documents, between them covering all of the Howardian Hills National Landscape. A new North Yorkshire Landscape Character Assessment is being developed as part of this work.  North Yorkshire Council also has responsibility for the North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework.

 

It is of note that NPPF criteria apply to proposed developments within a National Landscape, not those outside of its boundary but within its ‘setting’, the immediate and extended environment beyond the boundary that is part of, and contributes to, the significance and distinctive character of the area, and through which it is understood, seen, experienced and enjoyed. This makes it important for Local Plans to recognise the importance of the ‘setting’ as well as the area within the boundary.

 

Wider context

A wider range of international, national and regional statutory legislation and policy commitments include requirements of relevance to National Landscapes and which National Landscapes help to deliver, as listed in Box 8, though these are constantly evolving and will inevitably change during the life of this Management Plan.

 

Box 8: Wider statutory and policy context

International

National

Regional

 

The role of a National Landscape Management Plan

A National Landscape Management Plan is a statutory document, adopted by the Local Authority and which ‘formulates their policy for the management of the area and for the carrying out of their functions in relation to it’ and to demonstrate the commitment of all public bodies, statutory undertakers and other relevant organisations to the management of the area. It is the principal vehicle for ensuring that the statutory purpose to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Howardian Hills National Landscape is met and that its management is consistent with international, national and regional Legal and Policy frameworks. It is a material consideration in the planning process.

 

It sets out the unique landscape character and special qualities of the area, a vision and a set of objectives that provide a framework for action, serving to raise the profile of management of the area and helping to guide future land management activity, funding, development and recreational use. It also provides the benchmark against which proposals or activities can be tested. It should be used to inform and guide other plans, indicating how their policies should be formulated and implemented in relation to the Howardian Hills National Landscape.

 

It is also a plan for all the other organisations, groups and individuals that have an interest in the area, including farmers, foresters, land managers, landowners, third sector bodies and other stakeholders, particularly members of the local community. They all share an interest in implementation of its objectives and delivery of its targets.

 

This Management Plan review has been conducted by the Howardian Hills Partnership, led by the Staff Team, delivered on behalf of North Yorkshire Council and developed in collaboration with this wide stakeholder group and through public consultation under the guidance of the Howardian Hills Joint Advisory Committee (JAC).

 

The review process has aimed to:

 

This resultant Management Plan presents a number of core components:

Background

Creating a Vision

Implementation

 

 

The Management Plan is subject to two statutory assessments:

 

The Management Plan can only be a snapshot of the time at which it was prepared so requires a regular update, at least every five years. The next review is due for publication in 2030.

  

 

Part 3: About the Howardian Hills

 

Overview

As the primary purpose of National Landscape designation is ‘to conserve and enhance natural beauty’, it is essential to define as clearly as possible the unique character of the landscape, its special qualities and the drivers of change that act upon it.

 

The Howardian Hills was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB, now known as a National Landscape) by the Secretary of State for the Environment on 19th October 1987 as one of seven Protected Landscapes in North Yorkshire which cover over 47% of the county. In the northwest it abuts the North York Moors National Park and in the east, along the Derwent Valley, it extends to the rising ground of the Yorkshire Wolds, now a candidate for designation as a National Landscape in its own right.

 

Box 9: Map with inset of other Protected Landscapes

 

Lying between the Vale of Pickering and the Vale of York, the Howardian Hills National Landscape forms a clearly defined geographical area of well-wooded rolling countryside. Roughly rectangular in shape and up to 16 miles (25 km) long by 6 miles (10 km) wide, it covers 79 square miles (204 sq. km).

 

Its complex landform mainly consists of ridges, plateaux, hills and valleys, with prominent limestone scarps along the outer edges. This mirrors the underlying geology of thinly bedded limestones and sandstones, which have been subject to extensive east-west faulting. Glacial drift deposits form a more undulating landform in the south and west, whilst the glacial meltwater channel of the Kirkham Gorge carves a deep valley through the southeastern corner. It falls within the River Derwent catchment and the highest point, at 174m above sea level, is at Yearsley.

 

The Howardian Hills landscape is heavily wooded and farmed, with both agricultural and forestry practices playing a dominant role in shaping its appearance. This is a mixed agricultural landscape, with arable crops on the flatter land and permanent pasture on the steeper slopes and in small fields around villages. Approximately 70% of the land is farmed, with a further 18% being woodland. The regular rectangular fields from the 17th and 18th century enclosures are a strong landscape feature, bounded predominantly by hedges, often with individual boundary trees, and by drystone walls on the higher plateau.

 

Apart from a few remnant quarries, the industrial revolution of the 19th century appears to have had little lasting impact on the character of the Howardian Hills landscape. The greatest evidence of its historic use dates from pre-history to the medieval period, overlaid by the later development of grand country houses with their formal designed landscapes. These country houses, with their landscaped parklands, wood pasture, and veteran trees, are a significant component of the landscape. Notable examples include Castle Howard, Newburgh Priory, Gilling Castle, Howsham Hall, and Nunnington Hall, all of which are on Historic England’s Register of Parks & Gardens. Other examples include Hovingham Hall and Whitwell Hall.

 

There are no towns within the boundary, which is characterised by scattered settlements and small villages with greens, such as at Hovingham, Low Hutton, Crayke and Terrington. Vernacular buildings consist of local limestone and sandstone with pantile or slate roofs, with the stone varying in colour from iron-red to pale cream and grey. There are also many fine examples of early churches and churchyards.

 

It is a very rural area, served by a dense network of minor roads. The A64 is a major through-route, with the B1257 and B1363 being the only other significant roads. As a consequence, the Howardian Hills is generally a very tranquil area, with low levels of intrusion or disturbance.

 

Administratively, the area falls within the County of North Yorkshire, containing all or part of 44 Parishes and with a population of approximately 5,800 people. A further 3,200 live in villages just outside the designated boundary.

 

Landscape character

The Howardian Hills is defined by four National Character Area (NCA) profiles produced by Natural England, with 75% by area in the Howardian Hills NCA, 10% in the Vale of Pickering NCA, 8% in the Vale of York NCA and 2% in the North York Moors & Cleveland Hills NCA.

 

Looking in more detail, the Countryside Commission produced a Landscape Assessment of the Howardian Hills which identified seven broad landscape character types, each with its own unique combination of characteristics which give it a special sense of place:

1.         Plateau

2.         Upland Fringes

a.         Northern Plateau Fringe

b.         Western Plateau Fringe

c.         Southern Plateau Fringe

d.         Southern Moors Fringe

e.         Eastern Moors Fringe

3.         Ridges

a.         South Ridge

b.         Southeast Ridge

c.         North Ridge

d.         Caulkleys Bank

4.         Vales

a.         Vale of York

b.         Vale of Pickering

c.         Crayke

5.         Castle Howard Basin

6.         Central Hills and Valleys

7.         Derwent Gorge

 

Box 10: Landscape character map

 

The main benefits that the Howardian Hills provides to people through its natural resources and assets are:

 

Provisioning services (food, fibre and water supply):

·         Food.

·         Timber products.

·         Biomass energy.

·         Water availability and regulation.

 

Regulating services (water purification, air quality maintenance and climate regulation):

·         Climate.

·         Soil erosion.

·         Soil quality.

·         Water quality.

·         Water flow.

 

Cultural services (inspiration, education and wellbeing):

·         Sense of place/inspiration.

·         Sense of history.

·         Tranquillity.

·         Recreation.

·         Biodiversity.

·         Geodiversity.

 

Sense of place

The geology and natural landform of the Howardian Hills combined with past and present human activity, the actions of people as individuals and communities, all shape the area. The Howardian Hills Landscape Assessment distils these landscape characteristics into a statement of landscape character and a list of special qualities that gives the Howardian Hills National Landscape its distinctive ‘sense of place’, see Box 11.

 

Box 11: Sense of Place

 ‘The Howardian Hills have a strong unity of visual character, not least because they are physically separated from the surrounding countryside, but also because there are a number of common characteristics which bind the landscape together. The strongest of these is the dominance of woodland, which seems to form a green web across the whole area. The open sweeping views from the ridge tops and the quiet intimacy of the enclosed valleys are experiences which constantly recur whilst travelling through the area. The sheer complexity of the land cover, with its rich patchwork of crops, pastures, woods, trees and hedgerows is another consistent quality across most of the area.’

 

More specifically, the special qualities are defined as:

 

An unusual landform

The Howardian Hills is the only area of Jurassic limestone landscape in the north of England to be designated as a National Landscape. The deeply incised Kirkham Gorge is a unique glacial overflow channel of great scientific importance.

 

A richly varied landscape          

The landform consists of a complex system of ridges, hills and valleys. These are clothed with a mosaic of woodland, rolling arable fields, small-scale pasture, fens, hedges and walls, formal parkland and scattered settlements.

 

A landscape of high visual quality

The variety of landform and land use produces a contrast in scale, colour, texture and form. The settings of the historic houses, the extensive woodlands, the broad sweeping views and the unspoilt farming landscapes and traditional building styles have a special aesthetic appeal.

 

A remarkable heritage

The Howardian Hills has a concentration of archaeological and historic features, ranging from Iron Age earthworks on prominent hilltops to the castles and monasteries of the medieval period. The numerous grand houses and designed landscapes, such as Castle Howard, Newburgh Priory, Hovingham Hall, Gilling Castle and Nunnington Hall, have a dramatic effect upon the landscape.

 

 

An important wildlife resource

The Howardian Hills contains a section of the unique River Derwent, with its outstanding wild plants and animals. Other habitats of national importance include fens and relatively extensive remnants of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland.

 

An area important for its tranquillity

Protected Landscapes are increasingly important as calm and tranquil areas, where people can relax and get away from the rush of modern life, important for both physical and mental health and wellbeing. Whilst agricultural and forestry operations are generally seen as being part of rural life, in contrast traffic noise, minerals workings, excessive lighting, industrial scale activities and aircraft noise can all be detrimental to the feeling of tranquillity and it is important to keep traffic, light, noise and air pollution to a minimum.

 

Key drivers of change

The Management Plan provides a tool to ensure that key drivers of change, the issues, pressures and opportunities influencing the area, are identified, addressed and guided in a way that conserves and enhances the natural beauty of the Howardian Hills National Landscape.

Changing demands on agricultural land, the economics of agricultural and woodland management and a variety of environmental factors constantly alter the relationship between different land uses, bringing changes to the landscape.

 

A number of tourist attractions lie within the boundary and it also has many villages, large country houses and estates that are popular with visitors. Several tourist routes cross the area, whilst the major attractions of York, the North York Moors National Park and the Yorkshire Coast are also nearby.

 

In the past there have been relatively few threats from major development proposals but this is changing with the continuing focus on rural economic development, increased levels of traffic in and through the area, the continuing expansion of a production facility, the demand for new housing and the intentions of some landowners to generate income through house building. Small-scale incremental changes can also have significant effects, as cumulative impacts build up over time.

 

Key drivers of change can be summarised as:

 

 

 

Part 4: Vision, Outcomes and Objectives

 

The landscape character, special qualities and key drivers of change combine in a constantly variable pattern to define the character of the Howardian Hills. It is the activities, hopes and aspirations of the people who live and work in the area or enjoy it for leisure and recreation that will ultimately determine its future.

 

The twenty-five year Vision for the Howardian Hills must recognise that the landscape will change but ensure that it does so in a way that conserves and enhances its natural beauty, landscape character and special qualities.

 

Box 12: The Vision for 2050

The Howardian Hills will continue to be a tranquil and sympathetically managed rural area. It will still be notable for its extensive woodland, rolling farmland, large country houses and designed parklands. The threats to the natural and cultural resources will have been mitigated by the adoption of appropriate resilience strategies and these assets will be sympathetically managed within a diverse and prosperous rural economy. Active and resilient communities will have increased opportunities for people of all ages to live and work in the area. Residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy and appreciate the area in an environmentally sustainable way.

 

The Vision is represented in a number of key strategic aims:

Climate

Nature

People

Place

 

The next section of this Management Plan lays out how to move towards achieving the twenty-five year Vision and aims by setting Objectives over the next 5 years, 2025-2030, expressed within six Themes; Climate, Natural Environment, Historic Environment, Built Environment, Living and Working and Visiting.

 

 

4.1. Climate

 

There is a national target to achieve Net Zero by 2050. To meet this, it is important to adopt an evidence-based approach that identifies the climate risks and sets out actions to address them, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating impacts and building resilience.

 

Climate change is having an increasing impact on the Howardian Hills with warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers and more examples of prolonged and extreme weather events, for example periods of snow and frost, hot dry weather, cold easterly winds and heavy rainfall. All affect people, habitats and species.

 

Some of the effects include more frequent and severe flooding of farmland, reduced yields, damage to archaeological remains by soil erosion and weathering, loss of fertile topsoil from fields, windblow of mature trees, new species moving in, or extinction of existing species unable to move within the landscape.

 

Over the past 60 years, Howardian Hills annual rainfall has increased by 47 millimetres, with eleven more rainy days each year. There were 78 more hours of sunshine annually and the average annual temperature rose by 0.7°C. Areas like Coxwold, Gilling East, Hovingham, and Stonegrave are at risk of flooding, though the risk from surface water is very low. Fast flowing flood water has been observed in the upper reaches of the River Rye and Holbeck.

 

As of 2024, there are no major renewable energy generation sites within the Howardian Hills, though there are solar farms close to the boundary and in the setting, with more proposed. The individual and cumulative impacts are of concern. The typography of the area means it is not currently identified as suitable for large scale wind generation, though there may be scope for use of small scale turbines of a design which does not have a negative impact on the area’s landscape character and special qualities. There have been past proposals for use of hydraulic fracking and there is a new focus on use of geothermal energy.

 

From 2005 to 2022, total greenhouse gas emissions in the Howardian Hills decreased by 32%, with agriculture remaining the highest emitter but showing some reduction. Significant reductions were also seen in domestic emissions, waste management, industrial activities, commercial operations and the public sector. Carbon storage in local soils and vegetation decreased slightly, with 90% of carbon stored below ground.

 

Improving soil health is probably the single most significant action to mitigate against climate change impacts. Better soil health brings multiple natural capital benefits such as improved crop yields, improved water retention in both winter and summer (reducing both flooding and the need for irrigation respectively), increased carbon storage, reduced soil erosion and improved water quality. Similar benefits result from increased tree and woodland planting, in targeted locations.

 

Climate Objectives for 2025-2030

 

Understanding

 

Reaching Net Zero

 

Adaptation, mitigation and resilience

 

Renewables

 

Partnership and staff team

 

Monitoring

 

 

4.2 Natural Environment

 

The Howardian Hills Nature Recovery Plan sets out detailed priorities for nature recovery. It describes the character and significance of the natural environment and the pressures and challenges it faces. It highlights that habitats in the Howardian Hills are vulnerable to change because they are small and disconnected. The approach embodied in the Nature Recovery Plan is inspired by the principles of bigger, better, more and joined up, as expressed by Professor Sir John Lawton in his 2010 ‘Making Space for Nature’ report. It complements the North Yorkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, developing its recommendations at a more detailed level and with local priorities.

 

Sites, habitats and species

The Howardian Hills is a designated Priority Area within the North Yorkshire & York Local Nature Partnership (NY&Y LNP) Strategy, identified as supporting a diverse range of habitats and species, including calcareous grasslands, woodland flowers and endangered farmland birds. Notably, it contains nationally important Priority Habitats and Species such as lowland broadleaved woodland, wood pasture, veteran trees, limestone and neutral grasslands, and fen meadows. Other characteristic species include the brown hare, skylark, yellowhammer, tree sparrow and barn owl, along with local rarities like knapweed broomrape and baneberry. The area of priority habitats has increased to 2,117 hectares, covering 10% of the landscape.

 

The area includes one Special Area for Conservation (SAC) and eight Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), covering 111 hectares. Additionally, there are 66 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs), 45 identified Special Interest Road Verges, and 16 Local Geological Sites (LGS). Of the 21 features within SSSIs, 52.4% are in favourable condition as of 2024, with 14.3% having actions on track to achieve favourable condition. There are 1,300km of hedgerows and other traditional field boundaries, making an important contribution to nature connectivity across the area. Wildlife in villages also makes a key contribution to the extent and connectivity of habitats.

 

There are 16 geodiversity sites worthy of Local Geological Site status, valuable for their biodiversity as well as their geology.

 

Quantitative data on habitats and species is lacking and requires work.

 

Farmland

Agriculture is a major influence on the landscape of the Howardian Hills. The fertile land and moderate rainfall make food production a key service, and farming is a significant industry, with many families farming for generations, primarily arable cropping, with sheep and cattle enterprises. There has been a small increase in the total area of agricultural land during the last ten years and currently, 83% of the Howardian Hills is under agriculture (16,874 ha), 65% used for arable crops. The land is mostly Grade 3, with some Grade 2 areas, with permanent pasture on steeper slopes, poorer soils, and small fields around villages.

 

In 2021, 70% of the agricultural tenured land was owner-occupied, 30% rented, with the number of holdings rising to 163 in 2021. Between 2010 and 2021, there was a slight increase in the smallest units of less than 5 ha and the largest units of greater than 100 ha. Poultry is the largest group of livestock with pigs showing a significant increase of 86% in the same time period. Sheep and cattle remain visible livestock in the landscape despite an overall fall in their numbers.

 

Approximately 6,600 hectares of land have been entered into agri-environment schemes, covering 32% of the area, a decrease from 7,736 ha in 2019. Agricultural policy, including the approach to agri-environment funding, is undergoing significant changes with direct payment transitioning to a range of new instruments, including the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Landscape Recovery. The farming sector faces uncertainty due to these evolving agricultural policies, financial pressures and the increasing average age of farmers. There is a growing interest towards regenerative farming methods and sustainable land diversification.

 

Forestry, woodland, trees

Woodland cover is a defining feature of the Howardian Hills. Alongside the adjoining southwest corner of the North York Moors National Park, it boasts one of the most heavily wooded areas in northern England. In 2024, 3,330 hectares (ha) of woodland covered 16% of the Howardian Hills, with 76% of this woodland actively managed (2,574 ha), 1,569 ha classified as Ancient Woodland and 174 ha as Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland.

 

Several tree diseases such as ash dieback (caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) and Larch Tree Disease (Phytophthora ramorum) are causing the loss of large numbers of trees.

 

Many woodland owners and managers prioritise game shooting and sustainable timber and wood production, making forest management a key component of the rural economy. About 85% of the woodland is privately owned, with the remaining 15% owned or leased by the Forestry Commission.

 

Distinctive features within the landscape include significant numbers of in-field and boundary trees and designed parklands and areas of wood pasture with many veteran and ancient trees, with a focus on preserving and enhancing these within the broader landscape. Other managers, such as The Woodland Trust, have plans for woods like Robson's Spring Wood, Sproxton, emphasising the retention of old trees and dead wood, with a desire for unobtrusive management.

 

Healthy trees and woodlands, managed as part of a resilient network of ecologically connected sites, offer invaluable natural ecosystem support systems. These include carbon storage and sequestration, air pollution removal, soil erosion and flood regulation, temperature regulation, and noise mitigation. Trees and woodlands are known to be important in helping forge a strong sense of place and historical connection to the natural world; the access and enjoyment of the trees and woods in Howardian Hills remain important.

 

Water catchments

The River Derwent catchment, including the SAC, the River Rye and many smaller tributaries, is a notable feature, representing one of the best examples of a lowland classic river profile. It supports diverse communities of flora and fauna, including floating vegetation dominated by water crowfoot, river lamprey, sea lamprey, otter, and bullhead. The largest water bodies in the area are the lakes at Castle Howard, Wiganthorpe, Newburgh Priory, and Pond Head (Oulston) Reservoir. The ecological status of rivers in the Howardian Hills shows that only 6.2% of rivers, 25% of ground waters, and 5.9% of water catchments have a good ecological status, which is low compared to 17% of England’s rivers and streams and 53% of its groundwater bodies.

 

Tranquillity

Tranquillity is a composite feature which seeks to characterise elements of wildness, solitude, peace and quiet, relating principally to low levels of built development, traffic, noise, air pollution and artificial lighting.

 

Whilst agricultural and forestry operations are generally seen as being part of rural life, features such as traffic noise, minerals workings, excessive lighting and aircraft noise can all be detrimental to the feeling of tranquillity as well as damaging biodiversity and the natural environment.

 

It is particularly important to protect those parts of the area that do still have relatively high levels of tranquillity. In 2006, 55% of the AONB was categorised as having a relatively High or Very High level of tranquillity and 85% classed as ‘undisturbed’.

 

In recent years, villages in the Howardian Hills have been awarded Dark Sky Friendly Community status, including Bulmer, Terrington and Crayke.

 

Natural Environment Objectives for 2025-2030

 

Understanding

 

Landscape scale

 

Habitats

 

Species

 

Farming, forestry and woodland

 

Water catchments

 

Wildlife in villages                

 

Dark skies and noise

 

Geodiversity 

           

Monitoring

 

 

4.3 Historic Environment

 

The Howardian Hills is rich in historic and cultural heritage, featuring Bronze Age burial mounds, Iron Age dyke systems, medieval castles, monasteries, and large country houses with 18th-century parklands. The area includes 373 Listed Buildings, 11 Conservation Areas, 79 Scheduled Monuments, 49 important non-designated heritage assets and 5 Registered Historic Parks and Gardens.

 

Attractive and individual villages are dotted throughout the 204 square kilometres of the Howardian Hills, many with origins in the Saxon and Scandinavian periods. Prehistoric burial mounds and ridge-and-furrow field systems are preserved in some locations, and remote field barns and other heritage features in the landscape, such as railways, can be found. Proximity to Malton's Roman fort facilitated an extensive supply chain, including villas and farming communities. The area's geology supported small-scale industries like stone quarrying and pottery manufacture.

 

Cultural traditions linked to religious activity and farming remain strong and the area's history has resulted in a large stock of traditional stone-and-pantile buildings, many in ‘estate villages’. Agricultural Revolutions significantly altered the landscape, with the enclosure of common fields and land improvement, with woodland remaining extensive, with both ancient broadleaved woodland and more recent conifer plantations.

 

The Dissolution of 1537 enabled the rise of landed gentry, with estates and grand houses like Castle Howard, Hovingham Hall, and Gilling Castle shaping ‘designed’ landscapes resulting in outstanding examples of the ‘Heroic Age of English landscape architecture’, important for the development of the `natural' style. Other estates at Gilling, Howsham, Brandsby, Kirkham, Firby, Whitwell, High Hutton, Ganthorpe, Swinton, Hildenley, Wiganthorpe, Dalby, and Sproxton are also still recognisable to a greater or lesser extent today. Gilling Castle Park and Garden has medieval origins and Howsham Hall Park and Garden partly covers the archaeological remains of a post-medieval village. The remarkable density of such estates is likely to be due to the good quality soils (for agriculture), the extensive woodland, the scenic landscape and the proximity of the ancient regional capital of York.

 

The 2023 Historic England ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ identified 3 out of 59 Grade I & Grade II* Listed Buildings and 15 out of 79 Scheduled Monuments as at risk, with a further 10 out of 314 Grade II Listed Buildings recorded on the local At Risk register. A significant issue with delivery of restoration projects is the lack of rural and traditional skills.

 

As well as the physical remains there are also the cultural traditions that have developed over the centuries. Traditional values associated with a long history of religious activity and farming are still strong.

 

Historic Environment Objectives for 2025-2030

 

Awareness

 

Conservation

 

Land managers

 

 

 

Skills

 

Intangible history and culture

 

Monitor

 

 

4.4 Built Environment

 

Planning policy

The Howardian Hills lies entirely within the area covered by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and the unitary authority of North Yorkshire Council and has 44 Parish Council areas. Following the move to a unitary authority in April 2023, a North Yorkshire Local Plan is in preparation. In the interim, the pre-existing Ryedale and Hambleton District Local Plans remain in force and of relevance to planning development in the Howardian Hills. 

 

Having appropriate policies in the new North Yorkshire Local Plan will be a crucial to ensure that any future development is consistent with National Landscape designation. These policies should refer to this Management Plan and should be applied to all relevant future development proposals. It is essential to continue to raise the profile of the Howardian Hills landscape character and special qualities and the importance of looking after this landscape for future generations.

 

National government focus is on facilitating future development and building more homes, accompanied by an expansion in permitted development rights to allow certain types of building work without the need to apply for full planning permission. However, national planning policy (NPPF) makes it clear that this should not be at the expense of Protected Landscapes, including the Howardian Hills National Landscape.

 

Local character

The majority of the towns, villages and individual residences in or on the edge of the Howardian Hills retain a strong, cohesive local character, with new, existing and proposed housing stock replicating existing village layout and traditional building design and materials, most notably the use of stone instead of brick. Many of these villages are 'estate villages,' where the principal estates still own a significant portion of the properties. Notable examples include Coneysthorpe, Welburn, Hovingham, and Nunnington.

 

Development pressures

The Howardian Hills has not been under significant development pressure compared to some other National Landscapes. However, this may change in the new Local Plan and larger landowners have indicated a desire to build significant numbers of housing, at a scale that would be classed as ‘major development’ by planning policy and would generally not be permitted by NPPF within a National Landscape.

 

Existing and emerging issues include large new agricultural buildings, hydrocarbon and thermal energy exploration, more extensive housing developments, upgrading of the A64, increase in telecommunications infrastructure and new recreational developments. In housing stock, there is a growth in conversion of agricultural buildings for use as private dwellings, replacement dwellings at a much larger scale than that of the original building and use of ‘exceptional or innovative’ designs to justify building outside of a settlement boundary. Similarly, there is a growth in use of larger agricultural buildings, some used to shelter ‘bed and breakfast’ pigs. These risk changing the character of the built environment.

 

There continues to be a lack of affordable housing suited to local needs. Provision of local needs housing, controlled via Local Needs Occupancy Conditions, is an important component of sustainable communities. Affordable housing however is only likely to be facilitated through the associated provision of market housing, although community-led housing initiatives could have an important role to play in identifying and bringing forward suitable sites.

 

Local communities have responded to development pressures by formalising their own aspirations for their parishes, through development of parish plans and neighbourhood plans, including Bulmer, Hovingham, Terrington, Sheriff Hutton and Husthwaite.

 

Overall, it is essential to balance economic and housing growth with conserving and enhancing the area’s landscape character and special qualities, within the context of the continuously evolving national planning policy.

 

Transport infrastructure

The Howardian Hills has a road network that has evolved over centuries, with the A64 Leeds to Scarborough Road as the primary route connecting Malton, Scarborough and the Yorkshire coast with the A1(M). This vital route not only serves local transport needs but also supports the agricultural sector. Two secondary routes traverse the area, the B1257 from Malton to the A170 at Sproxton and the B1363 between Oswaldkirk and Brandsby. Beyond these, a network of minor roads links villages and crosses the area.

 

Roadside boundaries are well-hedged, with drystone walls on higher ground. Mature trees along many roads add to notable features like the sycamore avenue between Caulkleys Bank and Nunnington, the lime and beech avenue at Castle Howard, and the oak-lined approaches to Bulmer and Terrington. There are also many traditional highway structures, such as stone bridges and mileposts. Road verges play a crucial role in maintaining unimproved grassland habitats, especially along the B1257, contributing to the area's natural beauty and biodiversity. This gives road users a scenic and historical experience as they travel through the area.

 

The A170 near Helmsley and all B-class or lower roads are managed by North Yorkshire Council, with funding focussed on highway maintenance and safety. There is a desire to continue improvements to the A64 due to its poor safety record and unreliable journey times.

 

The Derwent is the only navigable river in the AONB and provided only limited use for transport of goods owing to poor access. Three railways served the area, with only the York to Scarborough line now remaining open and York, Malton and Thirsk railway stations providing key rail hubs for the area.

 

Minerals and quarries

The complex geology of the Howardian Hills traditionally allowed only small-scale operations of extractive industries such as stone quarrying, coal mining, lime burning (for building mortar and land improvement), brick and tile making and pottery manufacture. There is a lack of the distinctive local stone for use in new buildings and repair of vernacular buildings and dry stone walls.

 

Other methods of mineral extraction, in particular hydraulic fracturing, require assessment of impact and appropriate control.

 

Other infrastructure

The area's other capital assets include transport and water infrastructure, and one industrial-scale production facility. Provision of electric charging for cars and bicycles is increasing.

 

Mobile phone coverage continues to be poor in some parts of the area. The programme to roll-out high-speed broadband is continuing as a vital component of business and community development. However, this requires installation of new infrastructure and there have been examples of private sector providers installing new poles, overhead lines and other infrastructure where underground cables would be preferable, as defined in the agreed industry Code of Practice. New telecommunications infrastructure should be carefully sited and designed to offer better coverage or service to the widest number of users for least landscape impact.

 

Built Environment Objectives for 2025-2030

 

Understanding

 

Planning and development

 

Farm buildings

 

Minerals and quarries

 

Electricity, telecommunications and technology infrastructure

 

Monitoring

 

 

4.5 Living and Working

 

Residents

The National Landscape is home to around 5,800 residents, nestled within the county of North Yorkshire and spread across 44 parish council areas. An additional 3,200 people reside in villages just beyond the Howardian Hills boundary. Over the past five years, the population has experienced a slight decline. Most villages have fewer than 1,000 residents, with the exception of Ampleforth, with over 1,200 residents. Along the boundary, the largest settlement is Helmsley, with a population exceeding 1,300.

 

The average age in the area is 47 years, with a nearly even gender distribution. The population aged 20 to 44 is lower than regional and national averages, while the number of older people over 65 is growing. Ethnic diversity is limited, with 98% of residents classed as ‘white’.

 

Communities find the rich and varied landscape, which includes farmland, fields, water, and inspiring scenery, integral to a vibrant rural community.

 

The market towns of Easingwold, Malton and Helmsley provide the focus for local employment, shopping, health facilities and recreational activity, with more limited services available in individual villages. These larger centres form ‘gateways’ to the Howardian Hills National Landscape alongside, to a lesser extent, Pickering, Thirsk and York. Residents need good services and reliable connections to local villages and towns.

 

Despite the appearance of wealth, the area has a moderate level of deprivation, including an important minority (9%) that experience deprivation across multiple dimensions, including employment, education, health and disability, and household overcrowding. Accessibility to housing and services is generally very poor, with nearly the whole of the area falling into the lowest 20% for that element of the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Many young people and those on wages associated with land management are effectively priced out of housing in the area with a shortage of affordable, social housing and rental property.

 

While crime rates are generally low, the agricultural sector suffers from illegal activities like hare and deer coursing, crop damage and machinery theft.

 

There is a strong voluntary and community sector, with various groups supporting people, maintaining the landscape and initiating local activities. National Landscape funding has continued to assist with community improvement projects.

 

Overall, villages face potential decline in coherent communities in the face of conflicting pressures of expensive market housing, declining village and transport services and lack of local needs housing.

 

Employment

Many local jobs are tied to prominent establishments like Castle Howard and Ampleforth Abbey and College, most businesses in the area are small, with fewer than nine employees, with one major industrial site in the area, processing animal feed. A significant number of residents commute to the closest major employment centres of York and Leeds.

 

On average, residents earn £2,100 per month so housing unaffordability remains high. This poses a challenge, especially for young people and those working in land management or service industries, and they often struggle to find affordable, rented and social housing.

 

Notably, 26% local places of business are associated with agriculture, forestry, and fishing, compared to 14% across rural England. In 2021, 7% of the population was employed in farming and this marks a substantial increase (18%) over the last decade. There is one significant industrial site within the area.

 

Health and wellbeing

Residents of the Howardian Hills generally enjoy a higher quality of life than the average for England in terms of health, home ownership, and socio-economic status. In terms of health, 51% of residents enjoy very good health, 21.2% have a long-term health condition, 11.2% are listed as disabled under the Equality Act and only 1% suffer from very bad health.

 

Schools

There are 96,100 school spaces available, with 79,300 currently in use, representing about 83% of the capacity, though there have been closures of some village schools resulting in expansion in capacity of others.

 

Engagement work that inspires teachers and builds confidence in understanding the Howardian Hills is crucial. This includes supporting pupil and teacher events, assisting farmers through the Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS) and developing support resources.

 

Food

The area is known for excellent local produce and a range of high-quality eateries, from small cafes to Michelin-starred restaurants.

 

Bus services

There are eight frequent bus routes recorded but coverage is not good and there are few Sunday services.

 

Traffic

Although recent trends are hard to quantify, there seems to be little change in traffic flows overall. However, an exception is the B1257 at Sproxton, where traffic flows surged by 179%, primarily between 2010 and 2014. The impact of Covid-19 is evident, showing a dip in traffic likely due to reduced tourism. Interestingly, this dip was not observed on local roads, suggesting that only tourism traffic was affected. 94% of residents have access to at least one car or van. As working from home has become more common, with 41% of employed residents doing so, the number of people driving to work decreased to 48% (2021).

 

While the road network is generally quiet, there are concerns about high levels of HGV traffic, speeding and large farm machinery on narrow lanes.

 

Living and Working Objectives for 2025-2030

 

Understanding

 

Local character

 

Affordable local housing

 

Schools

 

Health and wellbeing

 

Businesses

 

Food

 

Public transport

 

Traffic

 

 

4.6 Visiting

 

The Howardian Hills is known for rich and varied landscapes, offering inspiring scenery that includes historic houses, parklands, significant archaeological sites, ancient woodlands and important wildlife habitats like the River Derwent.

 

Easily accessible from York and enroute to the North York Moors National Park and the coastal towns of Whitby and Scarborough, the Howardian Hills attracts numerous visitors, though most are unaware that it is designated as a National Landscape.

 

The four Registered Parks and Gardens of Castle Howard, Newburgh Priory, Gilling Castle, and Nunnington Hall Park offer a glimpse into the area's history and the contribution of designed landscapes. Other favoured historic sites include Kirkham Priory and Hovingham Hall.

 

Whether seeking peace and tranquillity, stargazing under dark skies, exploring the extensive public rights of way network, appreciating the work of local artists or attending cultural events, there are lots of opportunities to experience the area. The historic villages themselves are becoming popular destinations for dining experiences and longer stays. Many growing strong reputations for high-quality, locally sourced food and drink, award-winning restaurants and activity of artisans. Visitors and Users Surveys indicate that people are attracted by the unspoilt landscape, the peace and tranquillity and the sense of ‘discovery’ of a relatively unknown area of England. The area is popular with walkers and cyclists, with potential to welcome horse riders, if suitable facilities can be provided, for example parking for horse boxes. More intrusive forms of recreation which create noise and disturbance are inappropriate to maintenance of the tranquillity of the area.

 

The importance of the tourism sector was highlighted during the Covid pandemic, which significantly impacted tourist numbers, income and jobs in 2020 and 2021. Fortunately, the visitor economy has largely recovered and there were 825,000 Staying and Day Visitors in 2023, up from 791,000 in 2017, and accounting for 998,000 Visitor Days. The visitor economy of the area was worth over £58 million and supported 580 Full Time Equivalent jobs directly and indirectly, which showed little increase over recent years.

 

Accommodation

Accommodation options range from village hotels, bed-and-breakfasts and self-catering cottages to caravan and camping sites. There's also a growing trend for overnight stays in unique facilities such as huts, hides, glamping and camping pods. Farm and business diversification is contributing to the local and visitor economy with offerings like farm shops, country sports, arts and cultural experiences.

 

Access

With around 315 kilometres of rights of way, 9 kilometres of green lanes, 172 hectares of Access Land, 3 National Cycle Routes and 10 long-distance walks like the Ebor Way, Fosse Way and Centenary Way, the Howardian Hills provides a network for touring, walking, riding, cycling, canoeing and orienteering activities. To assist with waymarking, refurbishment work continues to be carried out on gateway signs, village names plates, signposts and waymarkers, and to increase accessibility by replacing styles with gates.

 

Visitor facilities

The Howardian Hills has not historically been a major visitor destination so there is a relative lack of facilities. There are no formal country parks or picnic sites, car parking facilities are limited and toilets are only located at the village pubs/cafes, village halls or larger visitor attractions. Car parking is typically informal, with vehicles parked on road verges or gravel lay-bys near popular walking routes or at village halls, some operating an honesty box system. There are larger, more formal car parks available at attractions such as Nunnington Hall, Yorkshire Lavender and Castle Howard.

 

Volunteering

Volunteering is a key engagement tool, enabling local residents and those who live outside the area to have a deeper experience within it. There is increased focus on encouraging private sector organisations to offer volunteering opportunities to their employees.

 

Volunteers play a vital role in management of the area, participating in various tasks such as planting wildflowers, hedging and trees, clearing scrub for biodiversity benefits and maintaining and improving public rights of way. This work is carried out in cooperation with landowners and other partners including North Yorkshire Council Countryside Service, Natural England and Forestry England. Volunteers also support the Staff Team at events like the Malton Show, Ryedale Show and various village markets.

 

Visiting Objectives for 2025-2030

 

Understanding

 

Sustainable tourism

 

Volunteering

 

Car-free

 

Access

 

Arts

 

Under-served communities and under-represented groups

 

Monitoring

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part 5: Partnership Delivery

 

As the entirety of the Howardian Hills National Landscape lies within North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Council holds sole legal responsibility for the Howardian Hills National Landscape Management Plan.

 

To enable delivery of this work, they established a Howardian Hills Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) in 1992, supported by a small staff team based in Helmsley. The JAC includes representatives from:

 

They meet at least twice a year to:

 

At a national level, the National Landscape Partnerships are supported by the National Landscape Association, a charity with objectives to:

 

This Management Plan is primarily a place-based document, derived and delivered through local consensus. It seeks to define the approach to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area through the application of local solutions to local challenges, set within a national and international context. It is a plan not for the Howardian Hills Partnership but for the Howardian Hills as a whole.

 

Its delivery is a collective effort that can only succeed by continuing, strengthening and expanding the collaboration between all stakeholders with an interest in the management of the area, including government agencies, local government, land managers, farmers, foresters, tourism and hospitality businesses, local communities and non-governmental organisations. Since the Objectives are high-level strategic goals, it is recognised that these stakeholders will contribute in different ways and that these contributions will vary across the timeframe of the Management Plan.

 

This Management Plan is supported by an Action Plan which is reviewed and updated on a more regular basis and contains more detail on delivery of each Objective including:

 

During this Management Plan period, the Howardian Hills Partnership will:

 

Monitoring results

 

Gathering information on progress against delivery of each Objective will be carried out on an annual basis, with delivery partners invited to report on activities they have undertaken relevant to their Objective(s).

 

Reporting will be non-prescriptive, allowing each delivery partner to set out their achievements in the most appropriate way (which could be quantitative, qualitative or a combination).

 

We will use appropriate quantitative targets or qualitative indicators where available (for example from the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework).

 

This information will then be collated into an annual monitoring report. This process will be coordinated by the Staff Team and results will be reported to the Joint Advisory Committee.

 

During this Management Plan period, the Howardian Hills Partnership will:

 

 

END