www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk NidderdaleWelcome to Annual Review 2012

ANNUAL REVIEW 2015/2016

Your AONB Enjoy Wildlife & Habitats Get Involved Living & Working Heritage Flock of sheep at , Upper Nidderdale © Sally Wilson

One of the AONB Family Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016

Contents

AONB Facts and Figures 2 Highlights from 2014/15 - at a glance 3 Foreword 4 Preface 5 Part 1 - Setting the Scene 6 The AONB Joint Advisory Committee and AONB Team 8 Part 2 - Performance: People, Policy & Partnerships 10 Performance: Conserving Natural Beauty 12 Financial Summary 14 Appendix: Statistics 16

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AONB Facts and Figures Highlights from 2015/16 - at a glance

• The AONB covers 603 km2 of land in the foothills of • The population of the AONB is 15,671. 68% is in During the period from April 2015 to March 2016 we: the Pennines in . employment, 12% is aged between 16 – 29 and 15% is retired. • Completed restoration of a former icehouse at the • Nidderdale AONB shares its western boundary with Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership scheme’s Flagship Heritage Site at Fishpond Wood near Bewerley the National Park. • 20% of the households in do not have access to private transport; there has been a 13% • Provided financial and logistical support, together with • 95% of the AONB falls within District increase in traffic flow on ‘C’ roads in the AONB since management resources, to the summer 2015 NiddFest of with a smaller share in and Hambleton 2001. nature writing that attracted leading authors from across Districts. The AONB is wholly within the County of the county to Nidderdale in August North Yorkshire. • 30% of towns and villages have access to a bus service providing 4 journeys per day • Attracted over 500 people to 41 events in the AONB’s • The AONB is administered by Harrogate Borough 2015 events programme Council. It is overseen by a Joint Advisory Committee • There are 820 kms of public rights of way in the • Produced and circulated 25,000 copies of ‘Visit (JAC) that in 2015/16 had 23 members from 14 AONB. Nidderdale AONB’ organisations representing local authorities, parishes, landowning bodies, community groups, business • An estimated 35% of the AONB is accessible to • Created a new AONB website interests and government agencies. walkers in accordance with provisions contained in the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000. • Organised a computer and IT skills training course for • There were 11 members of the AONB Team in farmers in Upper Nidderdale 2015/16 (8.5 full time equivalents). The team is based in Pateley Bridge, the only town wholly within the AONB. • Administered the River Nidd Catchment Sensitive Farming programme and provided advice and obtained £112,275.07 grant aid within the AONB to help farmers • 22,132 hectares (36%) of the AONB was moorland manage Diffuse Water Pollution from agriculture in dominated by heather in 2010. Nidderdale Images: Top - restored icehouse at Fishpond Wood, Bewerley; • 24,195.91 hectares of the AONB’s moorlands are of • Hosted visit by a delegation of Norwegian farmers to Bottom left - Nidderdale Conservation Volunteers raking a grass international importance, and designated as a Special see catchment management work carried out by the AONB verge at Glasshouses; Bottom right - children enjoying an AONB Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation. event. • Won a Grant of £15,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for development of a natural history recording project • The World Heritage Site is situated in partnership with the University of Leeds and submitted a in the AONB. Stage Two grant bid for a project worth £350,000 • Consulted farmers, community groups and residents • There are 14 Conservation Areas, 126 Scheduled • Provided conservation advice, including practical help on an action plan for the ‘Natural Nidd – A Noble Cause’ Ancient Monuments and 545 Listed Buildings in the with form-filling and grant applications, to 136 farmers project AONB. • Launched a Pollinator Pathways project in • Organised an archaeological excavation of a World and the Washburn Valley following award of a £50,000 War One hospital site by staff and students from York • 1,106 people were employed on 503 farms covering grant from Biffa to the Friends of the AONB charity University’s Department of Archaeology 71% of the AONB in 2010. • Organised a programme of wildlife events for children • Planted 3.5 hectares of new woodland • There were 191,057 sheep in the AONB in 2010. in partnership with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust • Devised a scheme for pre-application planning advice • 7% of the AONB is woodland including 1,200 • Enabled Nidderdale Conservation Volunteers and the in the AONB AONB’s Drystone Walling group to devote over 4,770 hectares of Ancient Woodland, 2,450 hectares is planted volunteer hours to conservation work in Nidderdale conifer woodland and 1,400 hectares is broadleaved. • Administered the Conservation Grant Scheme on behalf of Hanson Aggregates

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Foreword Preface

The Joint Advisory Committee’s goal is to ensure that:

• Stewardship of natural beauty is a priority for everyone • Tranquility and opportunities for quiet enjoyment of nature are protected • Biodiversity is valued for its own sake • The legacy of the historic environment is celebrated • Local distinctiveness is maintained • The livelihoods of local communities are protected

The purpose of this Annual Review is to record progress made by the Joint Advisory Committee, the Traditional stone barn © Paul Harris Committee’s partners including farmers, community groups, local authorities, government agencies and AONB staff. I would like to take this opportunity to expand on the It was vital that AONBs were in the Government’s mind brief reference in this Annual Review to Nidderdale’s in the run-up to the Spending Review announcement It contains a summary of work carried out in involvement with the National Association for AONBs in November 2015. We were very concerned that accordance with priorities set out in the AONB during 2015/16. The Association represents the interests Nidderdale’s comparatively modest grant from central Management Plan that covered the period to March of the family of 46 AONBs in Britain (33 wholly in Government via Defra, which provides a stable 2016. Detailed targets that underpinned this work were , four wholly in Wales, one which straddles the foundation from which to launch bids for funding identified in the annual Delivery Plan approved by the Cows in Upper Nidderdale © Paul Harris English/Welsh border and eight in Northern Ireland) to support the AONBs work on behalf of the local JAC in March 2015. The Committee received a detailed and they cover 18% of Britain’s countryside. The community and the farming industry in particular, report on progress towards meeting these targets in Association’s Board, which is made up of representatives would be cut again. It wasn’t, and AONBs can now look March 2016. The report is available to download from from across the AONB family, has become a distinctive forward to three years of relative security. The reason it the AONB’s website. voice that is more and more frequently heard in the in wasn’t cut was due in no small part to the tireless work the national discourse about protected landscapes in of Howard Davies, the National Association’s Chief general (the Association has a strong and productive Executive, and the rest of his team. We are incredibly relationship with the National Park family) and about grateful. AONBs in particular. It regularly takes part in national consultations initiated by the UK Parliament and by Councillor Nigel Simms its Welsh counterpart, and its small team of staff and Chairman, Nidderdale AONB Joint Advisory members of the Association’s Board command respect, Committee both from elected politicians and from senior Civil Servants. The Association performs a vital role. Without it, individual AONBs like Nidderdale would find it difficult to get a hearing in the cacophony created by all manner of organisations and individuals who are continually competing for the attention of politicians and policy makers.

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Part 1 - Setting the Scene

AONB Special Qualities Ecosystem Services Landscape character is a distinct, recognisable and Conservation of the AONB’s landscape is a priority in consistent pattern of elements in the landscape that its own right, but protected landscapes like AONBs and makes one landscape different from another, rather National Parks have a variety of wider purposes. The than better or worse. It gives rise to a ‘sense of place’ idea of ecosystem services originated in the Millennium that defines people’s understanding and appreciation Ecosystem Assessment that was launched by the of these elements in their surroundings. Protected United Nations in 2001 to assess the consequences of landscapes like AONBs are designated because they ecosystem change for human well-being. It identified possess special qualities that generations have come four categories of ecosystem services: to value, and which therefore warrant exceptional safeguards. • Provisioning services (e.g. water, food, fuel and genetic resources) The Special Qualities of the Nidderdale AONB include: • Regulating services (e.g. flood alleviation and carbon sequestration) • Contrasting scenery with dramatic views across • Cultural services (e.g. heritage and recreation) remote moorlands to distant horizons together with • Supporting services (e.g. soil formation and nutrient sheltered valleys and rolling farmland cycling) • Sandstone tors like those at Brimham together with steep crags that mark the edge of many river valleys in The AONB’s landscape is a major provider of ecosystem the AONB services to the communities that surround the designated area and more widely across the region. The • Internationally important wildlife habitats supply of drinking water from the AONB’s reservoirs characterized by birds such as red grouse, golden plover high quality food produced by farmers are two obvious and merlin examples, but it is easier to overlook the strategically important role of the AONB’s moorlands that both • A rich and diverse historic environment including hold back flood water and act as a huge carbon a World Heritage Site at Fountains Abbey, over a storage mechanism. The AONB also has a wealth of hundred sites contained in the Historic Environment cultural features, and opportunities for active outdoor Record and more than five hundred listed buildings recreation that provide inspiration and contribute to the Government’s objectives for improving health and • Extensive woodland including commercial well-being. plantations and ancient broadleaved woods with a network of species-rich hedgerows on the eastern edge of the designated area AONB Designation Harrogate Borough Council is the accountable body for • Wetlands ranging from the eleven reservoirs with The primary purpose of AONB designation is to Nidderdale AONB. Defra provided 18% of funding for their associated dams, weirs and sluices to the three conserve and enhance natural beauty - its flora, fauna the AONB’s work in 2015/16. Harrogate Borough and river catchments plus numerous lakes and water and geological or physiographical features. North Yorkshire County Councils provided 12% and the features associated with the numerous AONBs designed remainder came from a variety of sources including the landscapes Government’s policy on AONB’s states that ‘In Environment Agency, Natural England and the Heritage pursuing the primary purpose account should be Lottery Fund. • An extensive network of public rights of way taken of the needs of agriculture, forestry, other rural incorporating access for people of all abilities and industries and of the economic and social needs of regional walking trails such as the and local communities. Particular regard should be paid to the ‘ Rowel’ promoting sustainable forms of social and economic • Over 125 miles2 of open access land where walkers development that in themselves conserve and enhance can explore the AONB on foot the environment.’

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The AONB Joint Advisory Committee The AONB Team The Committee met three times during the year: In 2015/2016, the Team comprised:

Study Tour, 9 July 2015 The morning part of the meeting was devoted to a Paul Burgess AONB Manager debate about the new Local Plan for Harrogate District. (5 days per week) After and introduction to the Issues and Options Iain Mann Landscape Partnership Consultation by representatives of the planning Scheme Manager authority, Members divided into 4 workshop groups to (5 days per week) debate how the JAC should respond. The consensus Louise Brown Historic Nidderdale Project was that developments of more than 10 houses in the Officer, Upper Nidderdale AONB should be classified as Major Development and, Landscape Partnership depending on the detail, could be defined as contrary (5 days per week) to NPPF. Members toured river restoration projects on Tara Challoner Farming & Wildlife Project the Laver after lunch. Officer, Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership Annual General Meeting, 10 September 2015 (5 days per week) Harrogate Borough Councillor Nigel Simms was elected Mary Jones Administrator as Chair and Chris Hawkesworth, one of two Parish (3 days per week) Council representatives on the Committee, was elected Sarah Kettlewell Development Team Leader as Vice Chair. Tom Wheelwright of the Moorland (3 days per week) Association, and County Councillor John Fort were Leanne Fox Information Officer elected to join Councillors Simms and Hawkesworth on (4 days per week) the Committee’s Executive. After the AGM, Members Graham Megson Biodiversity Officer received presentations on the Whole Farm Plans project (maternity cover for (3 days per week) in Upper Nidderdale, the AONB’s Funding Strategy, Kelly Harmar) and on proposals for new policies on development in the WW1 Project Officer Yorkshire Dales National Park. Linda Smith (maternity cover for (2 days per week) Amanda Walters) Spring Meeting, 17 March 2016 The Committee was asked to approve reports on Marian Wilby Land Management Team Leader progress achieved towards 2015/16 Delivery Plan (5 days per week) targets, and a new set of Delivery Plan targets for 2016/17. Members received presentations on Yorkshire James Searle Volunteer Coordinator (3 days per week) Water’s innovative ideas for the future of the 900ha Humberstone Bank Farm, on the development of an Invasive Non Native Species strategy for the Yorkshire Dales including Nidderdale, and on the work of the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust in Yorkshire. The 2015 JAC study tour was devoted to a debate about the new Local Plan for Harrogate District, with a tour of river restoration projects on the in the afternoon.

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Part 2 - Performance: People, Policy & Partnerships

Planning farmers in the Northern Upland Chain. Three Upper Friends of Nidderdale AONB The local planning authorities consult the JAC about Nidderdale farmers are represented on the panel. During 2015/16 the registered charity, Friends of large-scale residential or commercial development, Nidderdale AONB, through its Countryside Fund, waste disposal, minerals and telecommunications awarded grants amounting to £9,750 to four successful applications, and about major highway schemes. The National Association for AONBs applicants for a variety of environmental projects. A JAC also requests details of development proposals that Nidderdale AONB further four unsuccessful applications were received. In fall outside these categories, but which may have an was represented addition, Friends made three successful bids for funds to impact on the AONB. at the May 2015 support projects within the AONB bringing in a total of meeting of the £7,590. ‘Friends’ continues to build its membership and to AONB staff work closely with staff at Harrogate and Northern AONB develop its Firm Friends corporate membership scheme. Richmondshire District Councils, and with staff at network at the North Yorkshire County Council, to ensure that Nortumberland Coast. development requiring planning permission does AONB Website not cause harm to the AONB’s special qualities. The Development work on a new AONB website by JAC’s Executive approves all responses to planning Dales and Vales Catchment Partnership Revolution, a design and marketing agency from the consultations made on behalf of the Committee. 73 The Partnership was convened by the Yorkshire Dales north-east, took place during 2015/16. It will link to responses to planning consultations were made during Rivers Trust in response to Defra’s Catchment Based social media accounts and a new content management 2015/16. The responses are available for public scrutiny Approach launched in 2013. Its purpose is to coordinate system will enable AONB staff to add video content and on the relevant planning authority’s planning portals, and improve the effectiveness of actions designed to image galleries. Event bookings can be made directly and on the AONB’s website. improve the quality of the river environment by a wide through the site and it will include an interactive map range of organisations including community groups and with key points marked on to help people explore AONB © Leanne Fox statutory bodies like the Environment Agency, Natural and get the most out of the AONB. It will be fully Yorkshire Dales Leader England and Yorkshire Water. The AONB, which is compatible with smartphones and tablets. Leader is a European Union programme that provides represented on the Partnership’s Board, is leading the grants to support regeneration initiatives in rural areas development of an action plan for the Nidd from its suffering from social and economic disadvantage. The source to the confluence with the Ouse west of York. Newsletters, Publicity and Events start of the 2013 - 2020 Leader programme covering The AONB organised a meeting of stakeholders in Three e-newsletters for AONB residents were circulated the Yorkshire Dales including Nidderdale was delayed Ripley in November to begin the development of the in 2015/16. The number of subscribers increased from because of uncertainty about grant eligibility criteria by plan. 1050 to 1260 following an invitation distributed to all Defra, which meant that the AONB’s contribution to the AONB households by Royal Mail. Three editions of the development of specifications for farming and forestry Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership e-newsletter grants had to be abandoned. The AONB’s application Wildlife Watch and one JAC Members Bulletin were also produced. for a tourism grant to the new programme revealed Wildlife Watch is a once a month conservation club for serious flaws in the application procedure. 25,000 copies of the ‘Visit Nidderdale AONB’ visitor 5-11 year olds within the AONB run in coordination guide, were circulated to a wide range of shops, cafes, with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT). It is now the only visitor attractions and tourist information points. Wildlife Watch group linked to YWT. Five volunteer Northern Upland Chain Local Nature leaders ran a varied programme of ten monthly 41 events took place as part of the AONB events Partnership meetings during 2015/2016 with themes including: Nidderdale is a founding member of the quintet of programme and were attended by over 500 people. bird-spotting, seasonal forays, bug hunting, pond protected landscapes at the core of the Local Nature dipping, nature photography and wild arts & crafts. Partnership alongside the Yorkshire Dales and Unfortunately, the October and November meetings Northumberland National Park Authorities and the were cancelled due to lack of available leaders, so and AONBs. The recruiting new leaders to boost the current team is a LNP’s work in 2015/16 was focussed on an evaluation priority. The meetings are promoted through the AONB of the LNP’s Natural Capital by consultants funded by website, via a dedicated Wildlife Watch facebook page, Defra, and on High Nature Value Farming (HNV). The and through contacting schools. In 2015/2016 an average LNP commissioned John Walden of Dartmoor Rural of 6-7 children attended each meeting held. The costs of Futures to investigate the likely level of support for running the club are negligible due to the commitment the formation of a farmer-led panel to represent HNV we have from volunteers.

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Performance: Conserving Natural Beauty

Conservation advice for AONB farmers AONB boundary). AONB Farm Advisers carried out 17 Nidderdale Dry Stone Walling Group Nidderdale AONB & the First World War and landowners advisory visits and 20 follow up visits . An event looking at The Dry Stone Walling group meet on Wednesdays This Heritage Lottery Funded WW1 Centenary is Over 100 AONB farmers, whose Entry Level Scheme soil biology & organic matter (organised jointly with RASE) throughout the year. Usual weekly turnout was 4-8 core approaching the end of the three year HLF-supported agreements that were negotiated by AONB staff have was held on a farm near Knaresborough. members and, along with occasional new recruits/visitors, programme. During 2015/16, the volunteer training either expired or will expire soon, will be unable to they completed 981 hours work during 2015/2016. From programme continued with seven sessions for Leeds based obtain agri-environment scheme support to continue April to October the group undertook projects at stunning volunteers; one session for Pott and Agill volunteers and conservation work on their holdings. They will not Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership locations on higher ground in the Dale, carrying out gap three sessions for AONB-based volunteers involving over benefit from Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship Scheme repairs above Thrope Plantation, Lofthouse and repairing 70 people. Content about the project for web pages on grant priorities because of the way the programme is The Scheme is led by Nidderdale AONB and brings wall ends at Longside Plantation, Ramsgill. In June they the AONB website was developed and information about structured nationally, and AONB staff made several together over 20 partners who share the joint aims of ran a successful Heritage Skills walling event at Heathfield Breary Banks and the Leeds Pals was circulated to schools contributions to calls for evidence on how the scheme conserving and enhancing Upper Nidderdale’s wildlife Caravan site for the public. A more unusual project in Leeds and the AONB. Alterations to the Leeds Pals can be modified to better meet the requirements of habitats and historic environment; and enabling people involved completing wall ends for a new gateway to protect monument at Breary Banks was carried out to facilitate upland livestock farmers. Only one Mid-Tier application to find out about, enjoy and get involved in looking after prehistoric cup and ring marked rock art at Eastwoods access for people with a disability, and two information was submitted, though several successful Water Quality this important heritage landscape. Highlights of progress Farm, Dacre, where they found previously unrecorded cup boards were designed and agreed with landowners. A Capital grant bids were made with projected annual achieved in 2015/16 include completion of consolidation marked stones. At this site they were joined by master waller pedestrian trail around the site was devised and waymarked, revenues of £7,924. Four successful applications for work at Prosperous Smelt Mill and completion of the work to Phil Dolphin, who provided two days mentoring funded and students and staff from York University’s Department Higher Tier Countryside Stewardship grant bids were conserve and interpret the icehouse in Fishpond Wood. The by UNLP. From November to the end of March the group of Archaeology carried out an excavation at the former submitted with annual revenues of £21,560 and a capital Our Farm Heritage project got underway and the Moorland moved to the lowland site of Markenfield Hall near Ripon, hospital site in July 2015. value of £46,011. A Facilitation Fund bid covering Upper People, Place and Stories project was launched. Combined to continue a long term project restoring the Park Pale. Nidderdale was submitted in February and a Facilitation business and environmental plans were produced for 10 Fund scoping meeting was organised for farmers in the farming families and six farmers attended a computer skills Washburn in December. training course organised by the partnership. Full details are Built Environment Initiative available from the partnership’s website uppernidderdale. The Built Environment Initiative is funded by Harrogate AONB staff worked with the Northern Upland Chain org.uk Borough Council and is aimed at the conservation and Local Nature Partnership to develop a new approach to repair of historic buildings and structures in the AONB. farmland conservation agreements called Results Based The scheme made a substantial contribution to the AONB’s Agri Environment Payment Scheme (RBAPS). AONB Nidderdale Conservation Volunteers Landscape Partnership Scheme’s programme of Flagship staff reached agreement with an Upper Nidderdale The Nidderdale Conservation Volunteers (NCVs) meet Heritage Site improvements at Fish Ponds Wood and Wath farmer to carry out an RBAPS trial in the AONB on Tuesdays throughout the year. Usual turnout at tasks Mill. varied from 7 to 24 during 2015/2016, and included great contributions from three Heritage Skills Students as part of River Laver Restoration Project the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership (UNLP). The Greenhow Landscape & Biodiversity The Project is led by the AONB and the Yorkshire Dales NVCs also undertook two joint work-days with the charity Enhancement Fund Rivers Trust. The aim is to remove physical barriers to the Open Country providing opportunities for volunteers with Hanson was awarded planning consent by North Yorkshire migration of fish and carry out habitat improvements on disabilities. Overall, 3,795 task hours were completed in County Council in 2005 to extend the earth mound that the Laver and Kex Beck. With support from the AONB, the year. Highlights of a varied task programme at key screens the quarry workings from surrounding views. As a the Trust submitted a successful bid for a £30 000 grant to conservation sites throughout the AONB included: ongoing condition of the consent, Hanson was obliged to set up an improve a fish passage at High Dam west of Ripon. management work at Hackfall Wood, Bryan’s Wood, Old environment fund to mitigate the impact of the extension Spring Wood, and Ellington Banks; bracken bashing to on the surrounding landscape, which is part of the AONB. reveal prehistoric rock art at Guisecliffe Wood, pulling The Fund is administered by the AONB on behalf of River Nidd Catchment Partnership Himalayan balsam in the Dallowgill/ areas and Trustees drawn from the Nidderdale AONB Joint Advisory The AONB administers the River Nidd Catchment tree planting at Farnley and near Ramsgill. An unusual task Committee, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Partnership and employs the Catchment Partnership’s involved clearing Wath Mill of clutter prior to restoration. Borough Council, and Hanson together with representatives Farm Adviser on contract to work alongside the AONB’s of Thornthwaite, Thruscross and Bewerley Parish Councils. Land Management Team Leader. The objective of the An exciting programme of training included wildflower partnership, which comprises Natural England, Nidderdale and bird surveying, river ecology, hedge laying, heritage During 2015/16, grants were awarded to dry stone wall Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust and Yorkshire Water as well as interpretation and orchard management. repair projects in Greenhow village and at Thornthwaite, the AONB, is to reduce Diffuse Water Pollution from. The a hay meadow restoration project on a farm near Bewerley, focus of the work in 2015/16 was on the Crimple (outside the ecological survey work at Humberstone Bank Farm, an interpretation project at Prosperous Smelt Mill and access improvement and repair work at Toft Gate Lime Kiln. Dry stone walling volunteer © Paul Harris 12 Nidderdale © Paul Harris 13 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016

Financial Summary 2015-2016 “Highlights of progress achieved in 2015/16 include completion of Expenditure £ Income £ consolidation work at Prosperous Smelt Salaries (including NI, super, 295,724.54 Brought forward balance 9,464.44 Natural o.t, travel and training) (Heritage Lottery Fund WW1 Mill and completion of the work to project) England Accommodation & office costs 47,587.68 conserve and interpret the icehouse in Brought forward balance 21,236.51 Partnership budget for 13,121.56 (Heritage Lottery Fund promotion (PR) & events Landscape Partnership project) Fishpond Wood.”

Partnership running costs 4,749.87 DEFRA 169,236.00 Natural Farm conservation advice 26.55 Harrogate Borough Council England91,970.01

Sustainable Development Fund 2,000.00 North Yorkshire County Council 18,580.00 Forestry Bewerley barn 4,174.00 Environment Agency Commission6,000.00

Boundary signs 780.00 SITA Harrogate1976.88 Borough AONB Enhancement Grant 41,500.00 Natural England Council9,875.00 Scheme Heritage Lottery Fund 251,398.00 Heritage volunteering project Natural Yorkshire Water Services England3,650.00 Catchment Sensitive Farming 25,446.50 Project Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust 160.20

Lowland Meadow Restoration 1,906.18 National Centre for the Uplands 12,453.00

Wildlife Watch 70.45 Hansons AONB2,000.00

Landscape Partnership 150,665.84 Hackfall Trust 3,000.00 NYCC Landscape Management Friends of Nidderdale AONB 6,306.00

River Laver -52.81 Misc income/Events income AONB9,876.58 World War One Project 8,431.83 Reserves funding 51,806.98

Reconnecting Nature & People 4,823.00 AONB Enhancement funding 41,500.00 Project 20,860.00 Balance carried forward (WW1 -27,378.96 Services provided by Project) Harrogate Borough Council Balance carried forward -58,588.45 (Landscape Partnership)

Balance carried forward -2,677.00 (Reconncting Nature & People)

Total 621,845.19 TOTal 621,845.19

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Appendix: Framework for monitoring environmental Woodland Management The statistics are suggested as a proxy measure in relation to: outcomes in protected landscapes • The Framework’s natural beauty indicator of ‘landscape elements in good condition’: • The statistics represent management undertaken in accordance with the obligations of various grant schemes. It brings greater confidence that active management is in place and therefore hopefully contributing to the good condition of woodland. Woodland Area • The Framework’s ecosystem services benefit of ‘providing wood’ (e.g. timber, wood fuel and other wood The statistics are suggested as a proxy measure in relation to climate regulation. They may also provide useful products) contextual information for State of the Park/AONB reports:

Figure 2. The percentage of woodland within Nidderdale AONB that is managed, as supported by Forestry Commission initiatives or with a felling licence. Data represents the situation as at 31st March 2013 and 31st March 2016 respectively. The area of woodland in the AONB was 4,936 ha and 4,942 ha on these respective dates. © Forestry Commission copyright 2016. © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.

Ancient Woodland Statistics

Figure 1. Area of different woodland types in Nidderdale AONB. NFI: National Forest Inventory. Data represents the situation as at 31st March 2013 and 31st March 2015 respectively. © Forestry Commission copyright 2015. © Natural England copyright 2015. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2015.

Figure 3. The percentage of ancient woodland within Nidderdale AONB that is ancient and semi natural woodland (ASNW) or plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS). The area of ancient woodland totals approximately 1245.07 ha (as at 31st March 2015), covering 2.071% of the AONB. The area of ancient woodland has decreased by 0.307 ha (a 0.025% decrease) since 31st March 2013, with the area of ASNW and PAWS sites increasing and decreasing by 0.029% respectively. N.B. most ancient woodlands that are <2 ha were not included in this dataset. © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2015.

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Land Cover Map 2007 Heritage Assets at Risk ‘Extensive areas of semi-natural vegetation’ is an indicator of natural beauty under the Designation Framework’s ‘Evaluation Framework for Natural Beauty’.

Buildings Places of Worship Figure 5. The number of heritage assets in Nidderdale AONB that are ‘at risk’ of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development. Data represents the situation as at August 2014 and August 2015 respectively. © Historic England 2016. © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.

Figure 4. The extent of each broad habitat, as defined by the Land Cover Map 2007 (LCM2007), within Nidderdale AONB. Approximately 58% of the AONB is covered by semi-natural vegetation. Based upon LCM2007 © NERC (CEH) 2011. © Crown Copyright 2007, Ordnance Survey Licence number 100017572. © third party licensors.

Reference: ‘Morton, D., Rowland, C., Wood, C., Meek, L., Marston, C., Smith, G., Simpson, I.C. 2011. Final report for LCM2007 – the new UK land cover map. CS Technical Report No 11/07 NERC/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology 112pp. (CEH project number: C03259).

Buildings

Figure 6. The number of heritage assets in Nidderdale AONB. Data reflects the situation as at April 2016. © Historic England 2016. © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.

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SSSI Condition Geological SSSI Statistics Whilst the statistics can also be used in relation to the framework’s outcomes ‘Visible expression of geology in distinctive sense of place and other aspects of scenic quality’ and ‘Presence of striking or memorable geo- morphological features’, there will be cases where geological features are not visible or striking, e.g. caves.

Figure 9. The number of geological SSSI unit features in Nidderdale AONB. Data reflects the situation as at 31st March 2015. Figure 7. SSSI condition in Nidderdale AONB. Data represents the situation as at 31st March 2013 and 31st March 2015 All features are in a favourable condition, and have been since at least 31st March 2013. Features included in the ‘Other’ respectively. The total area of SSSI habitat was 17,307 ha and 17,364 ha on these respective dates. © Natural England copyright. category are: active geo-morphological, active quarry, coastal, cutting, disused quarry, finite buried, finite underground, inland Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2015. outcrop, karst, mine dump, quaternary geology and geomorphology, river and stream section, and stratigraphy. © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2015.

Tranquillity Statistics

Figure 8. The condition of SSSIs in Nidderdale, as categorised by their dominant habitat. N.B. Other habitats may be present in each SSSI. Data reflects the situation as at 31st March 2015. Numbers on bars represent the percentage change in the area of Figure 10. The percentage of Nidderdale AONB that has different levels of tranquillity, based on 44 different factors which add that habitat, in that condition, since 31st March 2013. No values are given if there was no change. Numbers after bars represent to or detract from people’s feeling of tranquillity. Each level of tranquillity is relative (based on tranquillity scores for within the area of that habitat within the AONB, in hectares, on 31st March 2015. © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Nidderdale AONB only) and thus cannot be compared to other protected landscapes. The highest tranquillity score for any Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2015. part of the AONB is 134.2 (national highest = 148.7) and the lowest is -35.5 (national lowest = -140.5), therefore some areas of the AONB have quite high tranquillity in national terms. Produced from National Tranquillity Mapping Data 2006 developed for the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Natural England by the University of Northumbria. OS Licence number 100018881.

20 21 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016

Public Rights of Way Publicly Accessible Land

Figure 11. The length of Public Rights of Way (PRoW) in Nidderdale AONB. Data reflects the situation as at 2008. © Crown Copyright and database rights 2015. Ordnance Survey 100022021. Figure 13. Approximate area of open access land within Nidderdale AONB. Equates to 41% of the area of the AONB. Data reflects the situation as at 31st March 2013. © Natural England copyright 2013. Agri-environment Access

Figure 12. The length of permissive linear access provided under Countryside Stewardship Schemes (CCS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) within Nidderdale AONB. N.B. there is no permissive open access land provided under CSS or ES agreements within the AONB. Data represents that situation as at April 2013. © Natural England copyright 2013.

Figure 14. Approximate area of accessible natural environment in Nidderdale AONB. Equates to 43% of the area of the AONB. Data reflects the situation as at 31st March 2013. © Natural England copyright 2013.

22 23 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016

Condition of Historic Environment Features Under HLS Schemes Uptake of ES Options

Figure 17. Area of land managed, created or restored under Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements across Nidderdale AONB. Numbers above each bar represent the number and total cost of agreements covering each type of land. Data reflects the situation as at 31st March 2013. The statistics are likely to under report due to the continuous activity of agreement amendments and renewals. © Natural England copyright 2013.

Figure 15. The condition of historic environment features under Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) schemes across Nidderdale AONB. Data reflects the situation as at 1st January 2015. In brief, features with a condition category of ‘A’ are in a good condition, and those with a condition category of ‘B’ or ‘C’ are in an increasingly lower condition. For a full description of what condition categories A, B and C mean for each type of feature, see the Higher Level Stewardship Farm Environment Plan (FEP) Manual, Third Edition (Natural England, 2010). Numbers at the end of each bar represent the number of features of that feature type. © Natural England copyright 2015.

Figure 18. Individual features managed and protected under Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements across Nidderdale AONB. Numbers above each bar represent the number and total cost of agreements covering each type of feature. Data reflects the situation as at 31st March 2013. The statistics are likely to under report due to the continuous activity of agreement amendments and renewals. © Natural England copyright 2013.

24 25 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016 Nidderdale AONB Annual Review 2015/2016

Agri-environment Schemes ES data is the best nationally available information relating to the management of the wide range of landscape features and elements. Bringing these under management can, in theory, contribute to their good condition and to an area’s landscape character, which are both indicators of natural beauty.

Figure 16. Agri-environment schemes across Nidderdale AONB. A) Number of environmental stewardship (ES) schemes; B) Area of the AONB managed under each scheme type; C) Total annual cost of each scheme type. Data represents the situation as at 31st March 2015 and 31st March 2016 respectively. The percentage of land in the AONB under ES increased from 66% to 70% between these respective dates, as did the estimated Utilisable Agricultural Area (UAA: from 74% to 79%). N.B. The statistics are likely to under report due to the continuous activity of agreement amendments and renewals. © Natural England copyright. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016. Water Framework Directive Ecological Status

Figure 19. Ecological status of water bodies within Nidderdale AONB. ‘High’ denotes largely undisturbed conditions. Other classes represent increasing deviation from this undisturbed (or reference) condition. Figures at the end of each row represent the number of those features that are present within the AONB, unless a unit of measurement is given after the figure. Contains Environment Agency information © Environment Agency and database right. © Natural England copyright 2013. 26 27 Get in Touch: Nidderdale AONB, The Old Workhouse King Street, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, HG3 5LE T: 01423 712950 E: [email protected] www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk

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