Annual Report 2007/08
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Annual Report 2007/08 www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk BERWICK-UPON-TWEED d ee w rT e iv R Where we areB6470 Norham B6354 A698 To Berwick-upon-Tweed Holy Island Northumberland National Park Coldstream Cornhill-on- (Lindisfarne) National Park Centre Tweed Etal B6353 Lowick A698 Branxton Forest / Woodland B6350 Ford A1 Farne Islands Kimmerston Flodden Main Road Kelso N Fenton B6396 B6352 Belford B6525 Bamburgh Milfield R Secondary Road Lempitlaw ive Mindrum rT Doddington Kilham B6351 A697 ill n B1342 t e Minor Road A698 l Seahouses o B6352 i Blakelaw G v r e Kirknewton e B6349 T v r Shotton Akeld i B6436 To w n R England/Scotland Border e B6348 v i R Yetholm Hethpool Beadnell rn Chatton Course of Hadrian’s Wall u Crookhouse Kirk B NORTH e WOOLER B1340 g Newton Tors Chillingham e l Eckford Linton Yetholm l 537m (1761ft) Otterburn Ranges (MOD) o SEA r C n e r t u A68 B6401 a B Morebattle r College e e W p Road open most days t Middleton t Cessford a Valley ho Lilburn n rt o throughout the year, but W a The Schill H m Jedburgh e l Embleton a Ilderton check our website for up w 601m (1985ft) The Cheviot B6347 K Harthope o Roseden to date information B 815m (2674ft) Valley Mowhaugh Roddam Wooperton B6346 Hownam Hedgehope Hill National Park Information Point Oxnam The 714m (2342ft) A697 Dunmoor Hill Cheviot A1 567m (1860ft) B1340 B1339 Swinside Hall Hills Linhope Spout Brandon R iv Waterfall e r Branton Powburn Br Breamish This publication includes mapping data eam Ingram ish Valley licensed from Ordnance Survey Windy Gyle Cushat Law Glanton © Crown Copyright and/or database right. 619m (2032ft) 616m (2020ft) Whittingham ln Licence Number 10022521. er A Prendwick Riv ALNWICK Blindburn Barrowburn Scotland R Alnham A1068 Alnmouth iv A68 e r Callaly A l Biddlestone w Shillmoor i n Netherton B6341 A6088 Alwinton uet Lorbottle q o Otterburn C r Ranges e Harbottle B6341 iv Coquet Island (MOD) Harbottle R Amble Lake R Catcleugh iv Thropton e Reservoir r Flotterton Holystone C 0 10 kilometres o Byrness q Caistron ROTHBURY u e Hepple 0 5 miles A68 t Longframlington B6345 Simonside Rochester 430m (1407ft) Low Hesleyhurst A1 Forest Drive - Toll Simonside R Forestburn iv e Darden Hills Gate r R Lough ed B6341 e Fontburn Longhorsley A697 Reservoir B1337 Padon Hill Otterburn Kielder 378m (1240ft) Elsdon Kielder Water Northumberland & Forest Park Netherwitton Rive A696 r Fo B6320 nt Ashington Longwitton A197 Falstone Greenhaugh West Woodburn Scots’ Gap River Wansbe Tower B6342 ck B6343 Knowe Hareshaw Cambo Linn Waterfall Kirkwhelpington Hartburn River Wansbeck MORPETH Ridsdale A1068 Hesleyside Bellingham B6524 A189 R Sweethope Bolam Lake A1 iv Whalton e A68 Loughs r B6342 N o r t Thockrington h th Bly Blyth T iver y R n Hallington Belsay e Colt Crag Wark Resr B6309 rks Burn Resr Cramlington Cumbria Stonehaugh Wa A19 Barrasford A696 B6320 Bellcrag Simonburn Flow A6079 R t A19 g iver Pon Newcastle hin A189 r Irt Broomlee B6318 Airport ive Greenlee Lough Whitley Bay R n Chollerford Ponteland Bur Lough Tipalt Brocolitia Tynemouth Crag Housesteads Lough Grindon Wall Cawfields Steel Rigg Lough B6318 Gilsland Walltown A68 NEWCASTLE A1 South B6318 Acomb Greenhead A69 Wylam Shields River Tyne A69 n e l Haydon Corbridge HALTWHISTLE Bardon l A68 e A River South Tyn t A695 s Bridge Mill e A686 HEXHAM To B6305 Prudhoe W r Gateshead Carlisle e v A1 i R Northumberland National Park Authority cares for the Landscape scale renovation of the blanket peat lands landscape and cultural heritage of 405 square miles to lock in carbon and slow down water run-off is one (105,000 hectares) - over a fifth of Northumberland of these. from Hadrian’s Wall to the Scottish border. A regional treasure for the North East, some six million people With the help of our dedicated volunteers we look are within an hour’s drive of our wide open and after more than 1100 kilometres of Rights of Way - sparsely populated upland spaces. including two national trails and a number of long distance walking, cycling and horse riding trails, and As a Planning authority, our development control the central, most visited section of Hadrian’s Wall policy is one of the most innovative in the country. It World Heritage Site. 32 Sites of Special Scientific is designed to encourage thriving but sustainable rural Interest covering over 10,000 hectares; one Ramsar communities and land management, while fostering Site for the protection of birds, three National Nature the important special natural and cultural qualities of Reserves and six Special Areas of Conservation fall our upland countryside for the benefit of everyone. within the boundary of the National Park. 2 www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk Darden near Rothbury The National Park and you... John Riddle For the staff and members of Northumberland The National Park Management Plan is a National Park Authority, the year from April 2007 very important document because it describes a to March 2008 was packed with activity. It was the shared view of how you and all stakeholders see first full year since the Authority had restructured the National Park in the next 25 years. It also sets to become more community-focussed and under- out a commitment and action plan for our business standing about the needs of local businesses. partners and ourselves for the next five years. Helping to future proof the National Park and its We believe that the best way to preserve our country- communities against the effects of climate change side is to ensure that the economy and social life is a strongly emerging theme. of communities in and around the National Park are thriving and sustainable, and everything that we Outside specific periods of consultation we always do reflects that vision. In this annual report, we’re welcome your views.You can write to your own delighted to be able to share with you some of our National Park Authority member, or direct to: real achievements, and to be open about areas we Tony Gates, want to improve upon. Chief Executive, We try hard to give everyone the chance to put Northumberland National Park Authority, their views forward and influence how we manage Eastburn, South Park, Hexham, the National Park for the future by regularly holding Northumberland NE46 1BS open meetings and consultations. In 2008 two Or email us at: [email protected] important policy documents have been made available for public comment: the Core Strategy of Finally, I would like to thank our staff for the good our future planning policy (the Local Development will and energy they have put in to making our new Framework); our Equality Scheme, and in January structure work, and I believe we are really beginning 2009, the first draft of the National Park Management to see a difference in our effectiveness.We look Plan. forward to providing another year of excellent service in 2008-2009. John Riddle Chairman www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk 3 1 2 College Valley,The Cheviots 1 Simonside Forest 2 Roman soldiers at National Park Centre, Once Brewed 3 Voluntary Ranger on patrol at Walltown Keeping us on our toes each year 3 Every year, the National Park Authority measures its work against a wide range of criteria and reports on its progress in two documents: The State of Northumberland National Park provides information about the condition of the National Park, looking at such things as the use of the land, building, wildlife, tourism and Public Rights of Way. The Corporate Plan uses these criteria to set new targets for the coming year and to comment on the Authority’s performance. Summaries of these are included here.You can look Every five years, a further policy document – at the full versions of the reports on our website, The National Park Management Plan, is developed or by telephoning the National Park Authority on with stakeholders to set a long-term vision for the 01434 605555. future management of the National Park by both the Authority and its regional and local partners. A new draft policy is due to be produced in 2009 for public review. 4 www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk Alwinton, Upper Coquetdale What makes a 1 Distinctive landscape character Northumberland National Park is distinctive for its wild, National Park open moorland of heather and grass and farmland enclosed with dry stone walls. special? We recognise that, in the future, changes in weather patterns and in the funding support and market The State of Northumberland prospects for agriculture could have an impact on this National Park Report 2008 landscape. In 2008/09 the Authority will start work on a Landscape Strategy to help future proof the country- The National Park designation gives a legal basis for side and improve resilience and sustainability. the National Park Authority to protect the area’s special qualities and to promote opportunities for It is our wide horizons and peacefulness that people to understand and enjoy them. attract visitors to Northumberland, and our Through its planning responsibility, the Authority Rangers and Voluntary Rangers work to make balances the need to protect the countryside and its it accessible and welcoming. natural and historic riches with the needs of local businesses and communities to prosper, and the needs Russell Tait of the wider public to enjoy the space and tranquillity. Senior Ranger (North) T: 01669 622064 The 105,000 hectares (405 square miles) of Northumberland National Park has four special qualities that include some unique features. 1 Distinctive landscape character Paget Lazzari 2 Diverse wildlife and geology Senior Ranger (South) 3 Rich cultural heritage T: 01434 344430 4 True sense of tranquility Dave Brown Volunteer Ranger Co-ordinator T: 01434 344430 www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk 5 1 2 Walltown Crags, Hadrian’s Wall 2 Diverse wildlife and geology More than any other special feature, the National Park is notable for its uplands.