Management Plan 2019-2024 Ministerial Foreword

I am fortunate that ’s Areas of In my visits to AONBs around the country, Outstanding Natural Beauty are part of I have been struck by the passion of many my Ministerial responsibilities. Whether people - farmers, volunteers, and hard- it be rolling hills, sweeping coastline or a working staff - for the beautiful places they tranquil village, spending time in an AONB live and work. In this spirit I am delighted can stir the heart and lift the spirit. to welcome publication of this Statutory Management Plan for the Howardian Hills This is a pivotal moment for all AONBs. The AONB. It is significant that this plan will Government has set its ambition in the 25 be delivered in partnership by those who Year Environment Plan which states clearly value the Howardian Hills. I would like to the importance of natural beauty as part of thank all those involved in preparation our green future, while AONBs retain the of this document, and wish you the best highest status of protection for landscape of success in bringing it to fruition. through national planning policy. Leaving the EU brings with it an opportunity to develop a better system for supporting our farmers and land managers, who play such a vital role as stewards of the landscape. And the Review of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty led by Julian Glover - the first of its kind for generations - will make recommendations to make sure our designated landscapes can flourish in the years ahead.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble Parliamentary Under Secretary of State

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity 2 Contents

Foreword 2

Part one Introduction 1.1 The legal and policy framework of AONBs 4 1.2 The Howardian Hills AONB 12 1.3 Special Qualities 16 1.4 The AONB Partnership 19 1.5 The AONB Management Plan 20 1.6 Landscape character 22 Part two Achieving a Vision 2.1 A Vision for a Living Landscape 24 2.2 Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services 26 2.3 A Rich Heritage 32 2.3.1 Natural Environment 33 2.3.2 Historic Environment 38 2.4 Living and Working in the Howardian Hills 43 2.4.1 Local Communities 44 2.4.2 Agriculture 47 2.4.3 Forestry and Woodland 50 2.4.4 Development and the Rural Economy 55 2.4.5 Roads, Transport and Traffic Management 59 2.5 Enjoying the AONB 62 2.5.1 Recreation, Access and Tourism 63 2.6 Awareness and Promotion 67 Part three Implementation 3.1 Putting the Plan into Action 69 3.2 Monitoring 71 3.3 Action Programme 74

Glossary 102 www.howardianhills.org.uk [The State of the AONB Report and the Priority Sites descriptions & map are available on the AONB website] 3 1.1 The Legal and Policy Framework of AONBs

Introduction the interest of everyone – local residents, Legal framework The 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural businesses, visitors and the wider public AONBs exist within a legal framework Beauty (AONB) in England, and - and protected for future generations which has been progressively strengthened cover approximately since the first AONBs came into 1/8th of the land surface. The purpose of designation existence after the Second World War. Government guidance(2) describes the The distinctive character and natural beauty purpose of designation as follows: The 1949 National Parks and Access (3) of AONBs make them some of the most • The primary purpose of to the Countryside Act established the special and cherished places in England. designation is to conserve and AONB designation, provided AONBs AONBs are living, working landscapes that enhance natural beauty. with protection under planning law contribute approximately £16bn every year against inappropriate development, • In pursuing the primary purpose of to the national economy. Although home to and gave local authorities permissive designation, account should be taken less than half a million people (under 2% powers to take action for ‘preserving and of the needs of agriculture, forestry, of England’s population), over two thirds enhancing natural beauty’ in them. and other rural industries and of of England’s population live within half the economic and social needs of (4) an hour’s drive of an AONB and around The Countryside Act 1968 placed a communities. Particular regard should 150 million people visit English AONBs responsibility on local authorities, the be paid to promoting sustainable forms every year, spending in excess of £2bn(1). statutory conservation bodies and civil of social and economic development servants, in exercising their functions Together with National Parks, AONBs that in themselves conserve and under the 1949 Act (as amended by represent our most outstanding landscapes; enhance the environment. subsequent legislation), to ‘have due unique and irreplaceable national assets. • Recreation is not an objective of regard to the needs of agriculture and Each one has such distinctive character designation, but the demand for forestry and to the economic and social and natural beauty that they are recognised recreation should be met so far as this interests of rural areas’. Within AONBs this internationally as part of the global is consistent with the conservation means a responsibility to acknowledge Protected Areas Family to be managed in of natural beauty and the needs of (3)National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, H agriculture, forestry and other uses. M Government, HMSO, 1949. www.legislation.gov.uk/ (1)What Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty can ukpga/1949/97/pdfs/ukpga_19490097_en.pdf and offer the LEPs, National Association for Areas (2)Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: A www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Geo6/12-13-14/97 of Outstanding Natural Beauty, NAAONB, 2017. Policy Statement (CCP352), Countryside (4)Countryside Act, H M Government, HMSO, Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian https://www.lepnetwork.net/news-and-events/2015/ Commission, Countryside Commission, 1992 1968. www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1968/41 4 may/why-aonbs-are-important-to-the-leps/ and, where appropriate, to promote of an AONB, including Natural England’s have an impact within the designated area farming, forestry and the rural economic duty to consult with local authorities are also covered by the ‘duty of regard’. and social context wherever this can be and to facilitate public engagement. done without compromising the primary • Sections 86 to 88 allow for the purpose of conserving natural beauty. • Section 84 confirms the powers of local establishment in an AONB of a authorities to take ‘all such action as Conservation Board to which the The Environment Act 1995(5) introduced appears to them expedient’ to conserve AONB functions of the local authority the phrase ‘conserve and enhance’ in and enhance the natural beauty of (including development planning) can place of ‘protect and enhance’ in relation an AONB, and sets consultation and be transferred. Conservation Boards to the duties of local authorities, the advice on development planning and have the additional but secondary Environment Agency and other bodies. on public access on the same basis function of seeking to increase public No statutory duties were placed on as National Parks in the 1949 Act. understanding and enjoyment of the local authorities to actively manage AONB’s special qualities. They also AONBs in any particular way. • Section 85 places a statutory duty have an obligation to ‘seek to foster the on all ‘relevant authorities’ to ‘have economic and social well-being of local The Countryside and Rights of Way Act regard to the purpose of conserving communities’ in co-operation with local (6) 2000 (CRoW) subsumed and strengthened and enhancing the natural beauty of authorities and other public bodies. the AONB provisions of the 1949 Act. It AONBs when coming to any decisions confirmed the purpose and significance or carrying out activities relating to • Sections 89 and 90 create a statutory of AONBs, clarified the procedure for or affecting land within these areas.’ duty on all AONB partnerships (local their designation, and created a firm ‘Relevant authorities’ include all public authorities and Conservation Boards) legislative basis for their designation, bodies (including county, borough, to prepare a Management Plan protection and management. In particular: district, parish and community councils, ‘which formulates their policy for joint planning boards and other statutory the management of their area of • Section 82 reaffirms the primary committees); statutory undertakers outstanding natural beauty and for purpose of AONBs: to conserve (such as energy and water utilities, the carrying out of their functions and enhance natural beauty. licensed telecommunications companies, in relation to it’, and thereafter nationalised companies such as Network to review adopted and published • Section 83 establishes the procedure for Rail and other bodies established under Plans at intervals of not more than designating or revising the boundaries statute responsible for railways, roads five years. Where an AONB involves

(5)Environment Act, H M Government, HMSO, 1995. and canals); government ministers and more than one local authority they are www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/25 civil servants. Activities and developments required to do this ‘acting jointly’. (6)Countryside and Rights of Way Act, H M Government, outside the boundaries of AONBs that www.howardianhills.org.uk HMSO, 2000. www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/37 5 • Section 92 makes clear that the Responsibility for AONBs Statutory guidance for the production of conservation of natural beauty includes The formal legal responsibility for both AONB Management Plans is contained in (8) (9) the conservation of ‘flora, fauna and development control and for management CA23 and CA221 . These make it clear geological and physiographical features’. of AONBs (including the duty to prepare that preparation needs to engage actively an AONB Management Plan) lies with and gain the support of all key stakeholders, The Natural Environment and Rural who will assist in its delivery. The AONB (7) the local authorities in whose area(s) the Communities Act 2006 (NERC): AONB exists, except in two instances Management Plan is a place-based plan Section 99 formally clarifies in law that the (the Chilterns and the derived through local consensus. It seeks fact that an area consists of or includes AONBs) where this is the responsibility to define the approach to conserving and land used for agriculture or woodlands, of a statutory Conservation Board. enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB or as a park, or ‘any other area whose through the application of local solutions flora, fauna or physiographical features are In addition, the duty of all public bodies to local challenges that also respect the partly the product of human intervention and statutory undertakers to ‘have regard’ national and international importance in the landscape’ does not prevent it places an obligation on a wide range of of the AONB. It is a plan not for the from being treated, for legal purposes, organisations not just to consider any partnership but for the AONB as a whole. ‘as being an area of natural beauty detrimental impacts of their policies (or of outstanding natural beauty)’. and activities outside as well as within the boundaries of any AONB, but to Schedule 7 asserts that an AONB joint consider positively how they might committee of two or more local authorities, benefit the AONB’s special qualities. or a conservation board, can constitute a ‘designated body’ for the performance of functions allocated to Defra.

(7)Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act, H M Government, HMSO, 2006. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/16 (8)Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plans: A Guide (CA23), (9)Guidance for the Review of AONB Management Plans (CA221), Countryside Countryside Agency, Countryside Agency, 2001. Agency, Countryside Agency, 2006. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140605121241/ http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20140605121642/ http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40024 http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/40023 Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 6 The meaning of ‘natural beauty’ Natural beauty goes well beyond The history of AONB designation The term ‘natural beauty’ first gained scenic or aesthetic value. The natural AONBs emerged from the mood of civic currency in a legislative context in the 1907 beauty of an AONB is to do with the renewal which characterised the decades Act which gave legal status to the National relationship between people and place. It following the end of the Second World War. Trust (‘for Places of Historic Interest and encompasses everything - ‘natural’ and The 1949 National Parks and Access to the Natural Beauty’). It has been the basis human - that makes an area distinctive. It Countryside Act was one amongst many for the designation of both AONBs and includes the area’s geology and landform, – including health, education, agriculture National Parks since the 1949 National its climate and soils, its wildlife and and development planning – which Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, ecology. It includes the rich history of established the basis for a ‘new Britain’. but the term was not defined in the Act. human settlement and land use over the centuries, its archaeology and buildings, The need to designate special areas of In June 2000 the Government confirmed its cultural associations, and the people the countryside against inappropriate that AONBs and National Parks are of who live in it, past and present(8) (10) (11). development, to celebrate and conserve their equal status with regard to landscape distinctive features, encourage sustainable quality and that they share the same level agriculture and foster local economic of protection. In the same year, the CRoW well-being, was recognised well before Act formally stated that natural beauty the Dower (1945) and Hobhouse (1947) includes conservation of ‘flora, fauna and reports which led to the establishment geological and physiographical features’(6). of AONBs and National Parks.

Since their establishment by the 1949 Act there has been continuous development in the policy and legislative context of AONBs, shaped by a number of key policy documents.

The latest of these is the 25 Year Environment Plan(12), published by Defra in January 2018. It includes an intention to carry out a review of AONBs and National Parks 70 years (10)Origins and intentions of 1949 Act: Natural Beauty, (12)A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the after the designations were created. The Holdaway, E., Countryside Council for Wales, 2007. Environment, Defra, GOV.UK, 2018. https://www.gov. (11) On the Meaning of Natural Beauty in Landscape uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan Review was launched in June 2018 and is Legislation, Selman, P. and C. Swanwick, Landscape expected to report to Government in 2019. Research. 35 (1): p. 3-26, 2010. http://eprints.whiterose. ac.uk/11121/2/selmanp_natural_beauty_paper.pdf www.howardianhills.org.uk 7 The designation process • Undertake statutory and Planning and AONBs AONBs are designated in law following wider consultations. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty a prescribed process which includes • Make any required amendments to enjoy the same levels of protection from an objective appraisal of landscape the proposals and boundaries. development as UK National Parks. quality, statutory assessments by the • Submit to Natural England Responsibility for planning policy in AONBs national conservation agencies and wide Board for approval. lies with the relevant local authority (in consultation with stakeholders including • If approved, NE produces National Parks it lies with the National Park local landowners, residents and businesses. draft legal Orders. Authority). This means that while AONB Following initial proposals for an AONB Management Plans themselves do not • Draft Order is put ‘on deposit’ – there is the opportunity for all stakeholders form part of any local development plan opportunity for all to make written including visitors and the wider public to they are, nevertheless, vitally important representations (objecting, supporting make representations, either in regard to the documents in the planning system. They are: or suggesting amendments). AONB itself or to proposed boundaries. • NE finalise Orders and submit • The basis for identifying those The basic stages in the current AONB to the Secretary of State. aspects of the AONB which are designation process as prescribed • Secretary of State may critical in contributing to its natural by the Countryside and Rights of order a public Inquiry. beauty and potentially influential in (13) Way Act 2000 are as follows: • Secretary of State may confirm the development planning policy. Orders, with or without modifications. • A ‘material consideration’ in the • Identify Candidate Area (for a new AONB determination of individual planning or extension to an existing AONB) that • Confirmation Order specifies any applications and at appeal. meets the criteria for Natural Beauty. modifications and timetable.

• Ascertain issues relevant to the • A period of ‘Notice’ follows, during which In particular, following changes in the desirability of designation. the decision is open to challenge. planning system consequent on the • Undertake required statutory introduction of the National Planning Policy assessments (including any Framework (NPPF) in 2012, and its updating requirement for SEA & EqIA). in 2018, the AONB Management Plan can: • Identify draft detailed boundaries within Candidate Area. • Propose criteria for judging what might count as sustainable development within the AONB. NPPF paragraph 11 asserts (13)Countryside and Rights of Way Act, H M Government,

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable HMSO, 2000. www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/3 8 development’, stating that ‘plans should a consequence of which a number of positively seek opportunities to meet planning applications in AONBs where the development needs of their area’. there is no recent local plan have been Footnote 6 refers to ‘specific policies’ allowed, or refusal overturned on appeal. which may negate this presumption, NPPF Para 172 continues by stating that where ‘the application of policies in ‘The scale and extent of development this Framework that protect areas within these designated areas should be or assets of particular importance limited. Planning permission should be provides a strong reason for restricting refused for major development other than the overall scale, type or distribution in exceptional circumstances, and where it of development’. The policies referred can be demonstrated that the development to are those relating to: ‘habitats sites is in the public interest’(14). This applies only and/or designated as Sites of Special to developments proposed within an AONB Scientific Interest;….; land designated and not to developments proposed in its as an Area of Outstanding Natural setting that might impact on the AONB(15). Beauty, …, a National Park; irreplaceable This makes it even more important that habitats; designated heritage assets.’ AONB management plans should influence • Identify the particular components new local plans as they are produced. of the AONB’s landscape and scenic beauty. NPPF para 172 requires that in any decision ‘great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty’ in AONBs which (together with National Parks) ‘have the highest status of protection in relation to these issues.’

The intention is that NPPF should be (14)National Planning Policy Framework, MHCLG, GOV.UK, 2018. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/ reflected in local plans, produced in uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/728643/ conformity with the Framework’s guidance. Revised_NPPF_2018.pdf (15)AONBs and development, NT, The National Trust However under half the area of England 2015. https://landscapesforlife.org.uk/about-aonbs/ is covered by post-NPPF local plans, as partners-work/aonbs-and-development www.howardianhills.org.uk 9 The international context IUCN emphasises their importance as The new, multidisciplinary, multifunctional English AONBs are part of the international cultural landscapes - in distinction to concept of landscape is encapsulated Protected Area Family. As cultural Category I (Strict Nature Reserves and in the European Landscape Convention landscapes, produced through the Wilderness Areas) and Category II (National (ELC). This was Adopted by the Council interaction of humans with nature over Parks), which for IUCN are large natural or of Europe in 2000 (it is not an EU Directive time, they have a special significance near-natural areas, unlike UK National Parks. and will remain unaffected by Brexit) (together with UK National Parks) in being and has been applicable to the UK since Until recently, the AONB designation was recognised by the International Union March 2007. ELC promotes a definition regarded (together with that of UK National for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as of landscape which usefully underpins Parks) as an anomaly in the international ‘Category V - Protected Landscapes’(16) (17). the rationale for AONBs: ‘An area, as Protected Area system, which prioritised perceived by people, whose character Category V protected landscapes are ‘naturalness’ as a criterion of value. In the is the result of the action and interaction defined by IUCN as: ‘A protected area last quarter-century, however, they have of natural and/or human factors’(21). It is where the interaction of people and nature come to be recognised, particularly within a rich concept that encompasses but over time has produced an area of distinct Europe, as leaders in the move towards goes beyond sectoral (geomorphological, (19) (20) character with significant ecological, area-based sustainable development . ecological, archaeological, historical biological, cultural and scenic value; or aesthetic) approaches. ELC makes AONBs in particular, as ‘working’ and where safeguarding the integrity of it clear that people are at the heart of landscapes, lead the way in pioneering this interaction is vital to protecting and all landscapes (the commonplace and new approaches to integrated countryside sustaining the area and its associated ‘degraded’ as well as the eminent), each of management based on voluntary nature conservation and other values’(18). which has its own distinctive character and partnerships engaging and working with meaning to those who inhabit or visit it. local communities to secure common goals. (16)Guidelines for applying protected area management categories - 2013 update, Dudley, N. ed., IUCN, 2013. www.iucn.org/content/guidelines-applying-protected-area- management-categories-0 (17)Putting Nature on the Map: Identifying Protected Areas in the UK - A Handbook to help identify protected areas in the UK and assign the IUCN Management Categories and Governance Types to them. IUCN NCUK, IUCN National Committee for the United Kingdom, 2012. https://www. iucn.org/content/putting-nature-map-identifying-protected- (19)Turning Ideas On Their Head - The New Paradigm areas-uk for Protected Areas, Phillips, A., George Wright (18)IUCN Protected Area Management Categories Forum - June, 2003. www.jstor.org/stable/43599027 (factsheets), UN Environment and WCMC, (20)Category Number: V. IUCN World Commission International Union for the Conservation of Nature, on Protected Areas Task Force, Phillips, A. and J. (21)The European Landscape Convention, CoE, Council Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 2014. www.biodiversitya-z.org/content/iucn- Brown, IUCN Protected Area Categories, 2007. of Europe, 2000. www.coe.int/en/web/landscape/home 10 protected-area-management-categories.pdf The ELC places obligations on signatory The NAAONB and the purpose Charity members are involved in the states to recognise landscape ‘as of the AONB Family planning and management of around 8,000 an essential component of people’s square miles of outstanding and cherished The National Association for AONBs surroundings, an expression of the diversity landscapes in England, Wales and Northern (NAAONB) is a charity that provides of their shared cultural and natural heritage, Ireland. Membership includes nearly all a strong collective voice for the UK’s and a foundation of their identity’(22). the AONB partnerships, as well as some 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Obligations include a requirement to identify of those Local Authorities with statutory Beauty. Its objectives are to: the diversity and range of landscapes, responsibility for AONBs, together with a the important features of each, and to • Promote the conservation and number of voluntary bodies, businesses engage with local communities, private enhancement of AONBs. and individuals with an interest in the bodies and public authorities in their • Advance the education, understanding future of these iconic landscapes. planning and management. This includes and appreciation by the public of AONBs. raising awareness and understanding • Promote the efficiency and of the character, value and functions of effectiveness of those promoting or landscape and the way these are changing. representing AONBs, other protected There is also a requirement to provide areas and those areas for which training in landscape-related skills. designation might be pursued. AONBs and their managing organisations are a very significant contributor to delivering It does this by taking a collaborative and on the UK’s obligations under the ELC. partnership-based approach to working with membership and other organisations at a national level to achieve shared goals(23).

(22)The European Landscape Convention and its Explanatory Report, CoE/LCN, Council of Europe and the Landscape Character Network, 2008. www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-landscape- (23)For more information: Web: www.landscapesforlife. www.howardianhills.org.uk convention-guidelines-for-managing-landscapes org.uk Twitter: @naaonb @AONBFamily 11 1.2 The Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Designation of the Howardian Hills as an The AONB has a complex landform mainly Apart from a few remnant quarries, the AONB was confirmed by the Secretary consisting of ridges, plateaux, hills and industrial revolution of the 19th century of State for the Environment on 19th valleys, with prominent limestone scarps appears to have had little lasting impact October 1987. As one of seven protected along the outer edges. This mirrors the on the character of the Howardian Hills landscape areas in North , the underlying geology of thinly bedded landscape. The greatest evidence today Howardian Hills AONB plays an important limestones and sandstones, which have of its historic use dates from pre-history to role in both local and regional landscape been subject to extensive east-west the medieval period, overlain by the later and wildlife conservation, as well as in faulting. Glacial drift deposits form a more development of grand country houses tourism, leisure and the rural economy. undulating landform in the south and west, with their formal designed landscapes. Information on the legal basis for the whilst the glacial meltwater channel of the AONB designation, the policies defining Kirkham Gorge carves a deep valley through These country houses with their landscaped its role and status, and its position the south eastern corner. The maximum parklands, wood pasture and veteran within the global framework of Protected elevation of 174m ASL is at Yearsley village. trees are a significant component of the Landscapes, can be found in Chapter 1.1. AONB landscape. The Castle Howard, The AONB is a mixed agricultural Newburgh Priory, Gilling Castle, Howsham The Howardian Hills AONB landscape, with arable cropping on Hall and parklands are Lying between the and the flatter land and permanent pasture on Historic England’s Register of Parks the Vale of York, the Howardian Hills AONB on the steeper slopes and in small & Gardens, and other notable examples forms a clearly defined geographical area fields around villages. Approximately include Hall and Whitwell Hall. of well-wooded rolling countryside (see 70% of the land area is farmland, with There are no towns within the AONB, which Figure 1). In the north west the AONB abuts a further 18% being woodland. is characterised by scattered settlements the National Park; in the Regular rectangular fields from the and small villages with greens, such as east, along the Derwent Valley, it extends 17th and 18th century enclosures are at Hovingham, Low Hutton, Crayke and to the rising ground of the . a strong landscape feature. These are Terrington. Vernacular buildings consist of Roughly rectangular in shape and up to 16 bounded predominantly by hedges, local limestone and sandstone with pantile miles (25km) long by 6 miles (10km) wide, often with individual boundary trees, or slate roofs, with the stone varying in it covers 79 square miles (204 sq. km). but drystone walls can also be found colour from iron-red to pale cream and on the higher plateau area. grey. There are also many fine examples Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian of early churches and churchyards. 12 The AONB is a very rural area, served by In order to satisfy both the Section 85 a dense network of minor roads. The A64 CRoW Act Duty to have Regard to the is a major through-route, with the B1257 purposes of AONB designation, and the and B1363 being the only other significant principles of sustainable development, roads. As a consequence the Howardian all policies within other plans, strategies Hills is generally a very tranquil area, with and programmes should reflect the low levels of intrusion or disturbance. national importance of the AONB.

Section 2.3 (A Rich Heritage) describes the landscape and its characteristic features in more detail.

Administratively, the AONB falls within the County of and is divided between the Districts of Ryedale and Hambleton (see Figure 2). Containing all or part of 44 Parishes, which are administered by 29 Parish Councils or Meetings, the designated area has a population of approximately 5,950 people. A further 3,200 live in villages just outside the designated boundary(24).

Central to the management of the AONB is the concept of sustainable development, as defined in the Brundtland Report: “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

(24) Mid-2016 Population Estimates, www.howardianhills.org.uk ONS, Crown Copyright, 2016 13 Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian Figure 1: The Howardian Hills AONB 14 Figure 2: Administrative boundaries www.howardianhills.org.uk 15 1.3 Special Qualities

The primary purpose of AONB designation is “The Howardian Hills have a strong unity A richly varied landscape “to conserve and enhance natural beauty”. of visual character, not least because The landform consists of a complex system It is therefore essential to define as clearly they are physically separated from of ridges, hills and valleys (see Figure as possible the character of the landscape, the surrounding countryside, but also 3). These are clothed with a mosaic of recognising both its Special Qualities and because there are a number of common woodland, rolling arable fields, small-scale the forces for change that act upon it. characteristics which bind the landscape pasture, fens, hedges and walls, formal together. The strongest of these is the parkland and scattered settlements. Although the Howardian Hills landscape dominance of woodland, which seems is heavily wooded it is essentially a to form a green web across the whole A landscape of high visual quality farmed landscape, so both agricultural area. The open sweeping views from The variety of landform and land use and forestry practices play a dominant the ridge tops and the quiet intimacy of produces a contrast in scale, colour, texture role in shaping its appearance. the enclosed valleys are experiences and form. The settings of the historic which constantly recur whilst travelling houses, the extensive woodlands, the The evolution of the landscape of the area through the area. The sheer complexity broad sweeping views and the unspoilt since prehistoric times, and the forces for of the land cover, with its rich patchwork farming landscapes and traditional building change which continue to shape it, are of crops, pastures, woods, trees and styles have a special aesthetic appeal. described in detail in The Howardian Hills hedgerows is another consistent Landscape, a report prepared by consultants A remarkable heritage (25) quality across most of the area.” in 1995 . The report summarised the The Howardian Hills has a concentration Special Qualities of the AONB as follows: More specifically, the Report identifies of archaeological and historic features, the key Special Qualities as being: ranging from Iron Age earthworks on prominent hilltops to the castles and An unusual landform monasteries of the medieval period. The The Howardian Hills is the only area numerous grand houses and designed of Jurassic limestone landscape in the landscapes, such as Castle Howard, north of England to be designated as Newburgh Priory, Hovingham Hall, Gilling an AONB. The deeply incised Kirkham Castle and Nunnington Hall, have a Gorge is a unique glacial overflow dramatic effect upon the landscape. channel of great scientific importance. (25) The Howardian Hills Landscape, Cobham Resource Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian Consultants, Countryside Commission, 1995 16 An important wildlife resource Although the Howardian Hills are not The AONB contains a section of the especially tranquil in national terms, this unique River Derwent, with its outstanding means it is particularly important to protect wild plants and animals. Other habitats those parts of the AONB that do still have of national importance include fens relatively high levels of tranquillity. In and relatively extensive remnants of 2006 55% of the AONB was categorised Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland. as having a relatively High or Very High level of tranquillity for its area(26). Whilst each of these attributes is important in its own right, it is their combination in Site Designation a relatively small area that has produced European significance a landscape of national significance. Special Area of Conservation (SAC) 1 Tranquillity National significance AONBs and National Parks are seen Site of Special Scientific 8 as calm and tranquil areas, where Interest (SSSI) people can relax and get away from the Scheduled Monument (SM) 79 rush of modern life. This is becoming Registered Park and Garden (RPG) 5 increasingly important for both physical Listed Building 374 and mental health and wellbeing. Local significance Conservation Area 11 Whilst agricultural and forestry Site of Importance for Nature 66 operations are generally seen as being Conservation (SINC) part of rural life, features such as traffic Local Geological Site (LGS) 16 noise, minerals workings, excessive lighting and aircraft noise can all be detrimental to the feeling of tranquillity.

(26)CPRE/Natural England, 2013 www.howardianhills.org.uk 17 Figure 3: Topography and Drainage Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 18 1.4 The AONB Partnership

A Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) was The main work of the JAC is to: The Joint Advisory Committee normally established for the Howardian Hills AONB in meets twice a year, in order to make formal 1992 to help agree a co-ordinated approach. • Advise and steer the preparation, policy decisions and monitor the work of Its members include representatives review and implementation the AONB Unit and AONB Partnership. of the following organisations: of a Management Plan; • Promote awareness and understanding A small Working Group of officers from North Yorkshire County Council of the AONB for the purposes the local authorities and Natural England Ryedale District Council for which it was designated; meets regularly with the AONB Unit and Hambleton District Council • Advise local authorities and other also provides the JAC with support. This Core Partners Group considers budget Ryedale Parish Councils bodies on countryside conservation, and policy issues on a day-to-day basis, Hambleton Parish Councils informal recreation and environmental management issues affecting the AONB; as well as monitoring the allocation Natural England of grants and work undertaken. • Consider and advise on development Forestry Commission and spatial plan policies, proposals and A variety of mechanisms are used to enable National Farmers Union reviews as they relate to the AONB; two-way dialogue between the formal AONB Country Land and Business Association • Discuss major issues affecting the management bodies and local residents, The Ramblers character of the AONB and, where community groups and land managers. appropriate, make recommendations; • Act as a forum where the three local authorities can discuss and co-ordinate their activities; • Suggest priorities for action, agree and monitor an annual work programme and identify the resources required to carry out the work. www.howardianhills.org.uk 19 1.5 The AONB Management Plan

The basis for the Management Plan Management Plan, which helps inform and Management Plan is written specifically for The Howardian Hills contains a wide guide the spatial plans covering the area, the designated area of the AONB, activities range of features – woodland, parkland, provides a useful means for ensuring that adjacent to the formal boundary can have farmland, rivers and lakes; all of which the problems and opportunities that these an impact on the AONB itself or its setting. provide a variety of wildlife habitats. pressures bring are addressed and guided The work of the Joint Advisory Committee in a way that conserves and enhances the may therefore take it outside the formal Changing demands on agricultural land, the AONB landscape. This will be particularly boundary when this would benefit AONB economics of agricultural and woodland important during this Management Plan objectives, particularly in relation to work management and a variety of environmental period, given the significant change in rural with communities, countryside management factors constantly alter the relationship land management policy and incentives that advice and development control. between different land uses, bringing is likely to result from the Brexit process. changes to the landscape. A number of The policy and strategy context tourist attractions lie within the AONB and Details of the legal requirement and basis for There are a large number of plans and it also has many villages, large country the AONB Management Plan are contained strategies that impact on the landscape, houses and estates that are popular with in Chapter 1.1. The Plan must provide a economy and communities of the visitors. Several tourist routes cross the Vision, together with a set of Objectives and Howardian Hills. They operate at an area, whilst the major attractions of York, Actions, which formulate the local authority international level e.g. the European the North York Moors National Park and policies for the AONB and help to define Landscape Convention, national level the Yorkshire Coast are also nearby. In the their functions in relation to it. It should e.g. National Planning Policy Framework past there have been relatively few threats also raise the profile of AONB management (NPPF), county level e.g. Minerals and from major development proposals but with issues and demonstrate the commitment Waste Local Development Frameworks the continuing focus on rural economic of all public bodies, statutory undertakers and local level e.g. Local Development development, increased levels of traffic and other interested organisations to the Frameworks, Community Strategies. (particularly on the A64), the demand for management of the area. The constituent new housing and the emergence of hydraulic local authorities agreed that the Joint The important focus of the AONB fracturing (‘fracking’) as a technique to Advisory Committee should co-ordinate the Management Plan, and what differentiates exploit natural gas reserves, the pressures preparation and revision of Management it from these other plans and strategies, are mounting. Small-scale incremental Plans on their behalf. The three local is the primary purpose of conserving changes can also have significant effects, authorities must formally Adopt this revised and enhancing the natural beauty of the Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian as impacts build up over time. The Plan by 1st April 2019. Although the Howardian Hills. The Management Plan is 20 a statutory document which helps inform • Considering conflicting the next five years. The information was and guide other plans, indicating how pressures and issues. used to revise and update the Objectives their policies should be formulated and • Establishing clear and practical Objectives and Actions for the 2019-2024 Plan. implemented in relation to the AONB. and Actions to guide integrated decision- A number of technical research reports and making and progress on the ground. In terms of development control, the AONB statistics were also used – these can be lies within areas covered by the Ryedale • Recommending priorities for action. found in the State of the AONB Report under and Hambleton District Councils, who are • Identifying the resources and each of the respective chapter headings. responsible for local planning matters. The funding that may be required. area is also covered by North Yorkshire Because many of the activities which The policies and priorities of other County Council, which has responsibility can radically alter the character of the organisations are constantly evolving and for minerals and waste planning. The three landscape do not fall within planning the AONB Management Plan doesn’t aim principal plans that guide the day-to-day control, the AONB Management Plan to reference or summarise all of them. planning decisions taken by these Councils provides an essential tool to help guide Likewise, the situation within the AONB is are currently in a state of evolution and future land management activity, funding, constantly changing and the Management review and the most up-to-date documents development and recreational use. It also Plan can only be a ‘snap-shot’ of the can be viewed on their websites. provides the benchmark against which time at which it was formally revised. proposals or activities can be tested for The Plan will therefore be under constant The Howardian Hills AONB compatibility with AONB Purposes. review to ensure that its overall aims Management Plan Achieving a consensus for this type of are being achieved, with the next formal As described above, the AONB Management approach naturally involves all who own review due to take place in 2023/24. Plan has a clearly defined purpose and role or work the land, as well as the local within the suite of other plans and strategies. authorities, Government departments and It provides a framework for partnership, by agencies, voluntary groups, local residents helping all those who have an interest and and the many individuals who enjoy the area. involvement in the AONB to see ways in which their individual or collective efforts and For this review of the Management Plan decisions can contribute to looking after the stakeholders with an interest in each Topic area. A primary aim is to gain their support area provided information to update the and to this end the Plan provides a focus for: Key Facts and General Principles contained in the 2014-2019 Plan, and confirmed • Drawing together up-to-date

the issues likely to be encountered over www.howardianhills.org.uk information on the AONB. 21 1.6 Landscape Character Variations in landscape character 3. Ridges By analysing various landscape elements, a. South Ridge a number of broad landscape character b. South East Ridge types have been identified. Each has its c. North Ridge own unique combination of characteristics d. Caulkleys Bank which give it a special sense of place. A full description of the individual landscape types is contained in The 4. Vales (27) Howardian Hills Landscape report . a. Vale of York

The landscape character types are b. Vale of Pickering illustrated in Figure 4. The AONB has seven c. Crayke types with, in places, local sub-divisions: 5. Castle Howard Basin 1. Plateau 6. Central Hills and Valleys 2. Upland Fringes a. Northern Plateau Fringe 7. Derwent Gorge b. Western Plateau Fringe As these landscape character types c. Southern Plateau Fringe reflect differences in landform, vegetation d. Southern Moors Fringe and land management, they have been e. Eastern Moors Fringe used as a basis for dividing the AONB into the Management Zones referred to in the Landscape Management & Priority Sites section of the Plan.

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Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian The Howardian Hills Landscape, Cobham Resource Consultants, Countryside Commission, 1995 22 Figure 4: Landscape Character Areas www.howardianhills.org.uk 23 2.1 A Vision for a Living Landscape

Section 2.3 (A Rich Heritage) describes decisions that affect the AONB. For 2019 and the as yet unknown effects this the physical character of the AONB example, since the last revision of the will have on land management and the landscape and the detailed elements that Management Plan in 2014, two of the UK’s economic conditions as a whole. contribute to its Special Qualities. Apart commonest tree species in the AONB (larch from the geology and natural landform of and ash) can no longer be planted due to The Vision the Howardian Hills, all the other factors the spread of tree diseases into the AONB. The policies in the AONB Management Plan that influence the way the AONB looks This is already starting to affect the AONB need to be guided by a long-term goal. and feels are largely governed by human landscape in a way that wasn’t foreseen The Vision for local people and partner activity (past and present). It is the actions 5 years ago, and is likely to lead to more organisations to work towards for 2035 is: of people, acting as both individuals profound effects over the next 5-10 years. and communities, which shapes the The Howardian Hills will continue area and gives it its ‘sense of place’. Of vital importance are the local to be a tranquil and sympathetically communities within the AONB, as only by managed rural area. It will still be All the issues and factors described acting jointly can any significant progress notable for its extensive woodland, in subsequent sections of this Plan be made on some issues. The work of rolling farmland, large country houses combine in a constantly variable community development organisations has and designed parklands. The threats pattern to define the character of the led to a noticeable increase in community to the natural and cultural resources of Howardian Hills. It is therefore the activity in recent years. Affordable/local the AONB will have been mitigated by activities, hopes and aspirations of the needs housing for key local workers and the adoption of appropriate resilience people who live and work in the area or providing services to the relatively dispersed strategies and these assets will be enjoy it for leisure and recreation that communities of the Howardian Hills remain sympathetically managed within a diverse and prosperous rural economy. will ultimately determine its future. as significant challenges however. Active and resilient communities will In addition to ‘everyday’ human factors The Vision for the Howardian Hills must have increased opportunities for people there are the unpredictable impacts of therefore recognise that the landscape will of all ages to live and work in the area. climate change. Invasive species of plants change, but it needs to ensure that it does Residents and visitors alike will be able and animals, new diseases affecting so in a way that conserves and enhances to enjoy and appreciate the AONB in tree species, and the impact of severe/ its Special Qualities. This will be a particular an environmentally sustainable way. prolonged localised weather conditions challenge over the next 5-year period, given

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian are increasingly influencing management the UK’s withdrawal from the EU in March 24 Key Vision Aims: or as yet undeveloped technologies, • Farming, forestry and local businesses thereby reducing the need to travel. will be environmentally, socially • A network of public and community and economically sustainable, transport links will be in place to cater thriving and developing due to the for the majority of travel needs. Special Qualities of the AONB and • The need for personal and business road the opportunities they bring. transport will be much reduced, and this • All SSSIs will be in Favourable Condition, will be powered by more sustainable with the long-standing water quality fuels as part of a low-Carbon economy. issues on the River Derwent resolved. • All Rights of Way will be easy • All conifer plantation areas within Ancient to use, with the minimum of Woodland SINCs will have been restored, barriers to all types of user. or be in the process of restoration, • A wide cross-section of society will to resilient native broadleaves. enjoy and appreciate the Special • All grassland SINCs will be in Qualities of the AONB, for their sustainable grazing/cutting regimes. intrinsic value and for the physical and • Areas of Priority Habitats and populations mental wellbeing that they provide. of Priority Species within the AONB will have been expanded, buffered and linked The Management Plan contains via a more diverse landscape, to form a Objectives and Actions for the coherent network of green infrastructure period 2019-2024 under three broad that is resilient to climate change impacts. themes: A Rich Heritage; Living and • Designated Heritage Assets (Scheduled Working in the Howardian Hills; and Monuments, Listed Buildings, Registered Enjoying the AONB. Achievement of Parks & Gardens) will be in sustainable the Objectives and Actions for this management, in the Low/Not at Risk 5-year period will contribute to the category as defined by Historic England. ultimate achievement of the Vision. • There will be a more diverse mix of housing units/tenures, and more services will be delivered at community

level or remotely e.g. via the internet www.howardianhills.org.uk 25 2.2 Natural Capital and Ecosystem Services

One of the key documents that has guided 2. Ensuring that the value of guidance on this is expected to emerge over the AONB Management Plan for many ecosystem services is fully the next few years. It will be used to refine years is Biodiversity 2020: a strategy for reflected in decision-making. our approach to management guidance, as (28) England’s wildlife and ecosystem services . 3. Ensuring that environmental limits we understand better the extent and roles of the natural capital assets of the AONB, Outcome 1C is of particular relevance are respected in the context of sustainable development, taking into the ecosystem services that they enable to AONBs and sets out the challenge and the benefits which are then derived. that we have been helping to meet: account ecosystem functioning. 4. Taking decisions at the appropriate The (NCA) profile Outcome 1C: By 2020, at least 17% of spatial scale, while recognising the produced by Natural England for NCA 29 land and inland water, especially areas of cumulative impacts of those decisions. (the Howardian Hills) contains a list of the particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services that the NCA provides. ecosystem services, [will be] conserved 5. Promoting adaptive management of the natural environment to 75% of the AONB is within NCA 29, with through effective, integrated and joined 10% in the Vale of Pickering NCA, 8% in up approaches to safeguard biodiversity respond to changing pressures, including climate change. the Vale of York NCA and 2% in the North and ecosystem services including through York Moors & Cleveland Hills NCA. management of our existing systems of 6. Identifying and involving all relevant protected areas and the establishment stakeholders in the decision of nature improvement areas. and plan-making process.

In 2010 Defra published six principles Defra’s major policy document ‘A Green which underpin an Ecosystem Approach: Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment’(29) indicates that a new strategy 1. Taking a more holistic approach to for nature will be developed, building on policy-making and delivery, with the Biodiversity 2020 document. One of the the focus on maintaining healthy key principles of the 25 Year Environment ecosystems and ecosystem services. Plan is to adopt a natural capital approach in decision-making. New information and

(28) Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services, Defra, GOV.UK, 2011. https:// (29) A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the www.gov.uk/government/publications/biodiversity-2020-a- Environment, Defra, GOV.UK, 2018. https://www.gov. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian strategy-for-england-s-wildlife-and-ecosystem-services uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan 26 The NCA 29 Character Area Profile(30) • Water availability: The NCA overlies a • Regulating soil quality: Free-draining considers the principal ecosystem services minor post-Carboniferous rock aquifer. soils cover 44% of the NCA and play a and their condition/issues to be: Land management practices influence valuable role in groundwater recharge. the extent to which water at the surface This enhanced infiltration is achieved Provisioning services (food, will infiltrate and recharge groundwater through good soil management practices fibre and water supply) supplies. There is no water available to maintain soil structure. The NCA’s • Food provision: Over 82% of the for further abstraction from the River areas of slowly permeable soils are NCA is cultivated – mostly crops and Derwent, largely to protect downstream at risk of suffering compaction and fallow, with smaller areas of permanent flow levels outside the NCA. reduced infiltration, which can result grassland. The fertile soils are mostly in diffuse pollution/sedimentation. Grade 2 or 3 agricultural land. Holdings Regulating services (water • Regulating water quality: The NCA are largely given over to the production purification, air quality maintenance straddles two of Defra’s priority of cereals, mixed and general and climate regulation) catchments (Yorkshire Derwent and cropping, lowland sheep and cattle. • Climate regulation: The soils tend to Yorkshire Ouse, Nidd & Swale), with only • Timber provision: The NCA has have a low carbon content, of between ‘moderate’ water quality and identified a high proportion of woodland 0 and 5%. There is a higher carbon problems of diffuse agricultural pollution cover and includes substantial content in the woodland soils and from phosphates and nitrates from areas of timber production, much in semi-natural habitats (particularly areas under cultivation. These issues of it from conifer plantations. wetlands), with opportunities to increase can be addressed through good nutrient • Biomass energy: Defra maps show carbon storage/sequestration through and soil management, and through a medium potential yield for short enhanced management of these. measures to buffer watercourses and rotation coppice and miscanthus. • Regulating soil erosion: In over 50% of trap sediment, including appropriately the area the soils are classed as being sited woodland creation. prone to erosion. The NCA straddles two • Regulating water flow: There is of Defra’s priority catchments (Yorkshire some flood risk associated with the Derwent and Yorkshire Ouse, Nidd & River Derwent and its tributaries. Swale), where the sedimentation of Land management within the wider watercourses as a result of soil erosion is catchment (woodland planting, wetland an identified problem. The problem can restoration/creation) can significantly be regulated through appropriate land reduce this risk by increasing the management practices. land’s capacity to hold rainfall and by (30) National Character Area 29 Profile: slowing its flow into watercourses. www.howardianhills.org.uk Howardian Hills, Natural England, 2012 27 Cultural services (inspiration, • Recreation : Recreation and access are Climate Change education and wellbeing) supported by the Ebor and Centenary One over-arching factor that has the • Sense of place/inspiration: The sense Way long distance routes, a network potential to impact heavily on the Special of place is framed by the landform – a of footpaths and bridleways, and a Qualities of the AONB, its natural capital belt of complex rounded limestone small amount of open access land. and the ecosystem services it provides, and calcareous sandstone ridges • Biodiversity : There is 1 internationally is climate change. The general long-term rising above the surrounding vales. designated site within the NCA – part prediction is for hotter drier summers The landscape is a diverse mosaic of of the River Derwent Special Area of and warmer wetter winters, with more sheltered valleys, woodland, parkland Conservation (SAC), 75ha of which lies frequent and extreme weather events. and villages, with open arable and large- within this NCA. There are 8 Sites of Some of the effects could include more scale plantations on the intervening ridges Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the frequent and severe flooding of farmland and plateaux, offering extensive views NCA, making up less than 1% (142ha) in winter, reduced grass and cereal yields over the vales. The extent of designed of the area. These designated sites, in summer, damage to archaeological parkland is a defining characteristic. and other areas of priority habitat (such remains by soil erosion and weathering, • Sense of history: A sense of history is as Ancient woodlands), will be at the loss of fertile topsoil from fields, windblow evident in the remains of Bronze Age core of efforts to increase the resilience of mature trees, new species moving in, burial mounds, Iron Age earthworks and of native flora and fauna to future or extinction of existing species unable to deserted medieval settlements. There is environmental change. There are 66 move within the landscape. Both research significant evidence of Roman occupation, locally designated Sites of Importance information and practical observations will and a strong pattern of medieval nucleated for Nature Conservation (SINC). be important in deciding how to manage settlement in the valleys. Historic designed • Geodiversity : There are 3 geological these impacts. For the last Management parkland associated with country houses SSSIs within the NCA. Kirkham Gorge is Plan period 2014-2019 patterns of is a strong feature of the landscape. of scientific importance as a renowned prolonged and extreme weather, e.g. snow/ • Tranquillity: The area is an important example of a glacial overflow channel. frost, hot dry weather, cold easterly winds resource for tranquillity, with 85% of it and heavy rainfall were experienced. classed as ‘undisturbed’. Many of the ecosystem services that the AONB provides are closely linked to the Special Qualities for which the area was originally designated.

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 28 Improving soil health is felt to be probably Key Issues 2019 – 2024 Objectives – Natural Capital the single most significant action that • The need to improve understanding of and Ecosystem Services could be taken to mitigate against climate the AONB’s natural capital assets, their change impacts in the Howardian Hills. quality and the ecosystem services NCES1 Gain a better understanding Better soil health could bring multiple that they provide. This is important of the AONB’s natural natural capital and ecosystem services for informing management decisions, capital assets, their quality benefits such as improved crop yields, scheme delivery and monitoring, as and their relative roles/ improved water retention in both winter and well as for starting to understand significance in the provision summer (reducing both flooding and the what a resilient Howardian Hills of ecosystem services. need for irrigation respectively), increased AONB landscape might look like. NCES2 Promote sustainability and carbon storage, reduced soil erosion and • The need to improve understanding of support appropriate projects improved water quality. Similar benefits the impact of management/development that benefit the AONB’s natural could also be achieved from increased decisions on natural capital assets and capital, ecosystem services tree and woodland planting, in targeted ecosystem services, and the interactions and Special Qualities. locations where this would also conserve with the AONB’s Special Qualities. and/or enhance landscape character. • The continued observation of climate/ NCES3 Monitor climate change trends/ weather patterns, to assess possible scenarios and evaluate potential long-term implications and any changes future impacts on the AONB. to the AONB, its natural capital assets and ecosystem services. Please see the Action Programme • Developing more integrated partnership for details of specific Actions working with the North York Moors for each Objective. National Park, given the overlap of farmland types and habitats between the two areas, to maximise the area covered by an ecosystem approach. www.howardianhills.org.uk 29 The relationship between natural capital, ecosystem services and benefits Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 30 Natural capital Assets and Benefits provided within the Howardian Hills AONB

Benefit

HHAONB Protection Clean Equable Natural Food Fibre Energy Clean Air Recreation Aesthetics Wildlife from water climate Capital Asset hazards Species

Ecological Communities

Soils

Freshwaters

Land

Atmosphere

Minerals

Sub-soil Assets www.howardianhills.org.uk 31 2.3 A Rich Heritage Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 32 2.3.1 Natural Environment Key Facts • It also recorded 14.5ha of mire. Most • Both Ryedale and Hambleton Districts • The AONB is a key area for a number of this habitat type is found along have Local Biodiversity Action Plans of nationally important Natural streams and rivers, particularly near (LBAPs) in place, although these Environment & Rural Communities Coulton and in the Derwent Valley. haven’t been formally reviewed for (NERC) Act Section 41 Priority Habitats • 85ha of open water was recorded, with over 5 years. The AONB area is now and Species, including lowland the largest water bodies being the lakes at covered by a more informal and wider broadleaved woodland, wood pasture Castle Howard, Wiganthorpe, Newburgh Biodiversity Partnership, which also and veteran trees, limestone and Priory and Pond Head (Oulston) Reservoir. includes Scarborough Borough Council. neutral grasslands and fen meadows. • A survey of road verges in 1997 • A comprehensive field survey of • Characteristic species include brown found nearly 38ha of species- geodiversity sites in 2018 recorded 16 hare, skylark, yellowhammer, tree rich grassland habitat on 132 sites (all in the Ryedale District) that were sparrow and barn owl, as well as separate stretches of verge(34). considered worthy of formal assessment several local rarities such as knapweed • In 2016 there was 3,330ha of woodland for Local Geological Site status. Following broomrape and baneberry. in the AONB; 1,569ha was classified evaluation by the North Yorkshire Local Geological Sites Panel, 16 sites have • Around 80% of the habitats in the AONB as Ancient, with 174ha classified (35) been notified to Ryedale District Council. are either farmland or are associated as Ancient Semi-Natural . with human settlement(31). Priority • In 2016 8% of the AONB’s rivers and • The AONB contains: 1 Special Area for Habitats (which show the strongest semi- streams and 50% of its groundwater Conservation (SAC); 8 Sites of Special natural characteristics) represent only bodies were classified as being of Good Scientific Interest (SSSI) (5 Biological, 9% of the total area of the AONB(32). Ecological Status(36), in comparison to 3 Geological); 66 Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC); 16 • A comprehensive field survey of 17% of England’s rivers and streams Local Geological Sites (LGS). habitats in 1992 recorded 362ha of and 53% of its groundwater bodies. • The AONB is a Priority Area in the high quality neutral grassland, 11.5ha (32) Natural England, 2017 of unimproved calcareous grassland (33) Southern Ryedale and Howardian Hills AONB Phase I North Yorkshire & York Local Nature Survey, A Weston, University of York/English Nature,1992 Partnership (NY&Y LNP) Strategy. and 761ha of botanically much (34) Howardian Hills AONB Roadside Verge and Hedgerow poorer semi-improved grassland(33). Survey, Bullen Consultants, Howardian Hills AONB Joint • The natural capital assets associated Advisory Committee, 1998 with the AONB’s natural environment (35) Forestry Commission, 2016 (31) Final report for LCM2007 – the new UK land (36) Environment Agency, 2016 include: Species; Ecological cover map, 2011. CS Technical Report No 11/07 NERC/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology Communities; Soils; Freshwaters; Land; www.howardianhills.org.uk Atmosphere; Minerals; Sub-soil Assets. 33 • The ecosystem services that these water quality of the River Derwent, • The North Yorkshire & York Local natural capital assets provide include: optimising carbon storage, soil quality Nature Partnership (NY&Y LNP) Provisioning Services (food, timber, and regulation of peak flow events, and should be used as a forum to develop biomass energy, water availability); strengthening the sense of place(37). and deliver integrated projects, Regulating Services (climate, soil • The Objectives contained in Defra’s both within the Howardian Hills erosion, soil quality, water quality, water 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP) and linking to adjoining areas. flow); Cultural Services (sense of place/ should be promoted and delivered(38). • The Catchment Partnerships, in inspiration, sense of history, tranquillity, • Biodiversity 2020 (BD2020) particular the Yorkshire Derwent (41) recreation, biodiversity, geodiversity). objectives for the AONB’s SSSIs, Catchment Partnership , should be • Benefits accruing to the AONB from Priority Habitats and Species should supported, to provide a framework for the management of these assets and be promoted and delivered. delivery of water-based habitat and services include: Food; Fibre; Energy; • The principle of bigger, better, more and ecosystem service enhancements. Clean water; Clean air; Recreation; joined-up, as developed in Prof. Sir John • Partnership working with the North York Aesthetics; Wildlife; Protection from Lawton’s report(39), should be used to Moors National Park should continue hazards; an Equable climate. guide habitat management action and as a fundamental principle, given the • Please refer to the table in Chapter create a more wildlife-friendly matrix of overlap of farmland types and habitats 2.2, which cross-references the habitats across the wider countryside, between the AONB and National Park. AONB’s natural capital assets including within villages and gardens. • Knowledge about habitat and species with the benefits they provide. • A natural capital and ecosystem approach status within the AONB, particularly for • Further information and statistics can be to delivery of projects and consultation farmland birds, should be improved. found in the State of the AONB Report. responses should be developed, in • The status of the AONB’s water bodies, line with Biodiversity 2020 Outcome as measured by the Environment (40) General Principles 1C (and its successor strategy) . Agency’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) indicators, should be improved. • National Character Area (NCA) 29 (37)National Character Area 29 Profile: Howardian Hills, Natural England, 2012 • The condition of geodiversity Statement of Environmental Opportunity: (38) A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the assets, and in particular sites Support sustainable management of Environment, Defra, GOV.UK, 2018. https://www.gov.uk/ the agricultural landscape to retain government/publications/25-year-environment-plan designated as Local Geological (39)Making Space for Nature: A review of England’s Wildlife Sites (LGS), should be improved. important rates of food provision, while Sites and Ecological Network, Prof. Sir John Lawton, enhancing the network of semi-natural Defra, 2010 (40)Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife habitats within pastoral and arable and ecosystem services, Defra, GOV.UK, 2011. https:// www.gov.uk/government/publications/biodiversity-2020-a- (41)http://www.eastyorkshireriverstrust.org.uk/ Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian landscapes, protecting the wildlife and strategy-for-england-s-wildlife-and-ecosystem-services derwent-catchment-partnership.html 34 • Awareness and understanding Key Issues 2019 – 2024 • The availability of other funding amongst local people and visitors • The unknown outcome of the Brexit to supplement/fill any gaps within of how important the AONB is as process and the potential impacts of the post-Brexit environmental land a biodiversity and geodiversity future trading arrangements, currency management scheme, to maximise resource should be increased. fluctuations and input/output prices action for biodiversity in the AONB. • The occurrence and distribution of on the resilience of farm businesses. • The relative scarcity of widespread invasive non-native species should These factors could potentially and up-to-date habitat and species be monitored and management lead to significant changes in both extent, quality and abundance data, action taken where appropriate. land management practices and to inform management decisions, • Post-Brexit agricultural policy and the land ownership within the AONB. scheme delivery and monitoring. new environmental land management • The Government’s future priorities, • The continued spread, and impact of, scheme should address the farmland format and level of funding for infectious plant diseases and both native conservation management issues farm support/agri-environment and non-native plant/animal species, e.g. in the AONB, particularly in relation measures following the outcome Chalara Dieback of Ash, Phytophthora to Priority Habitats and Species, of the Brexit process. ramorum, roe deer, Himalayan balsam, and should promote the benefits • The sympathetic management of rhododendron, grey squirrel, muntjac that nature can offer to society. SSSIs and SINCs, as they form deer and signal crayfish. Some of • AONB Partnership advice, assistance and the AONB’s principal network of these diseases and species are already (where appropriate) grant aid should be important biodiversity sites. present, whilst others are currently found outside the AONB but are threatening provided to help land managers conserve, • The continued development of river to move in. More potential threats enhance and increase understanding catchment-based partnerships, to are likely to emerge in the future. and enjoyment of biodiversity and provide an integrated framework for geodiversity features on their land. action in delivering mutual objectives. • How well the post-Brexit environmental land management scheme can improve the natural capital value and ecosystem services provided by both important wildlife sites and the wider farmed landscape of the AONB. www.howardianhills.org.uk 35 Please see the Action Programme for details Objectives – Natural Environment of specific Actions for each Objective.

For Actions relating to: NE1 Continually improve knowledge of the biodiversity resources in the AONB. • Community involvement → Objective LC2 NE2 Ensure that appropriate protection is given to the • Hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) best nature conservation sites in the AONB. → Objective DRE4 NE3 Assist with the implementation of 25YEP/BD2020/WFD/LBAP targets • Skills training → Objective DRE6 for Priority Habitats in the AONB (broadleaved woodland; grasslands; • Promotion & awareness → Objective AP2 wetlands) to improve condition and increase network connectivity. NE4 Assist with the implementation of 25YEP/BD2020/WFD/LBAP targets for Priority Species for which the AONB is important.

NE5 Assist with the implementation of 25YEP/BD2020/ WFD/LBAP targets for wildlife within villages.

NE6 Monitor and where appropriate support control of invasive non-native species in the AONB.

NE7 Encourage the conservation of important geodiversity sites and features in the AONB.

NE8 Provide assistance to farmers and land managers, to help them manage their land sympathetically.

NE9 Ensure continued recognition of the Howardian Hills as a priority area for biodiversity. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 36 Figure 5: Natural Environment Priority Sites www.howardianhills.org.uk 37 2.3.2 Historic Environment

Key Facts • The monasteries were important limited use for transport of goods • A rich history of human activity is evident landowners with widespread farms, so at owing to poor access. Three railways in the Howardian Hills, from Mesolithic the time of the Dissolution in 1537 land served the area, with only the York to flint scatters to Roman bath houses to and building materials were sold cheaply. Scarborough line now remaining open. medieval monasteries to railways. The This enabled the rise of landed gentry • Although the Industrial Revolution only area has good soils for farming, with whose big estates and country houses appears to have had a limited impact, the geology and extensive woodlands form arguably the most visible theme of the various Agricultural Revolutions providing stone and timber for building. the Howardian Hills today. Estates and changed the landscape of the Howardian The area’s proximity to Malton with grand houses at Castle Howard, Gilling, Hills significantly. The old common fields its Roman fort means that there was Newburgh, Nunnington, Hovingham, were enclosed and the land improved for an extensive supply chain, including Howsham, Brandsby, Kirkham, Firby, the production of sheep and crops. In villas or farming communities in the Whitwell, High Hutton, Ganthorpe, the latter half of the Twentieth Century, surrounding area. These would have Swinton, Hildenley, Wiganthorpe, Dalby agricultural improvement lead to the provided food and other goods, such and Sproxton are all still recognisable removal of many miles of hedgerow, the as pottery from Crambeck, to the fort. to a greater or lesser extent today. The draining of wetter land and the conversion remarkable density of such estates is also • A strong theme of the Howardian Hills of permanent grassland to arable likely to be due to the good quality soils is the scatter of nucleated medieval cropping. Woodland is still extensive, (for agriculture), the extensive woodland, villages, which place name evidence consisting of both broadleaved Ancient the scenic landscape and the proximity shows originated in the Saxon and Woodland and more recent conifer of the ancient regional capital of York. Scandinavian periods. The Saxon minster plantations on former lowland heathland. at and the open strip fields of • The complex geology allowed only A wealth of prehistoric burial mounds ridge-and-furrow still visible at Crambe small-scale operations of extractive and other features are now preserved are some of the best preserved remains. industries such as stone quarrying, within these plantations, because coal mining, lime burning (for building the unploughed heathland survived • Monastic orders were drawn to the area, mortar and land improvement), brick and agricultural improvement. Fragments with monasteries established at Kirkham tile making and pottery manufacture. of ridge-and-furrow strip field systems and Newburgh. The tradition continues The Derwent is the only navigable can also still be seen in some areas, today with Abbey. river in the AONB and provided only principally around villages. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 38 • The history of religious and private • The AONB contains: 374 Listed Buildings • The manufactured capital assets estates in the Howardian Hills has (59 Grade I or Grade II*); 11 Conservation associated with the AONB’s historic resulted in a large stock of traditional Areas; 79 Scheduled Monuments; environment include: earthworks dating stone-and-pantile farmhouses, farm 49 non-designated heritage assets from the Bronze and Iron Ages; the buildings, cottages and village houses, that are considered to be particularly stock of both traditional and high- many of them in ‘estate villages’. important within the AONB context. The status buildings; the large number of These buildings generally use the local 5 Registered Historic Parks and Gardens designed parks and landscapes; transport honey-coloured limestone or iron- comprise 11% of all North Yorkshire’s and water infrastructure; industrial stained sandstone, with noticeable local registered parks (outside the two National production facilities; the consumer distributions of each type of stone. Parks), demonstrating how important goods (such as pottery) produced • As well as the physical remains there they are to the character of the AONB. over the centuries within the AONB. are also the cultural traditions that • The 2018 Historic England ‘Heritage at • The ecosystem services that these have developed over the centuries. Risk Register’ identified the following manufactured capital assets provide Traditional values associated with nationally significant assets as being include: Provisioning Services (food, a long history of religious activity At Risk in the AONB: 4 out of 59 timber, biomass energy, water availability); and farming are still strong. Grade I & Grade II* Listed Buildings; Regulating Services (soil erosion, (42) • An archaeological survey of the AONB 31 out of 79 Scheduled Monuments . soil quality, water quality, water flow); was carried out in 1993 and a Historic A further 10 out of 315 Grade II Cultural Services (sense of place/ Landscape Characterisation survey was Listed Buildings are recorded on inspiration, sense of history, tranquillity, completed in 2011. The discovery in District Council At Risk registers. recreation, biodiversity, geodiversity). 2012 of a long-lost corn mill on Yearsley • Benefits accruing to the AONB from the Moor by a community archaeology group management of these assets and services demonstrates the wealth of features include: Food; Fibre; Energy; Clean water; from all periods that can be found when Clean air; Recreation; Aesthetics; Wildlife. focus is concentrated on a specific area. • Further information and statistics can be found in the State of the AONB Report. www.howardianhills.org.uk (42)Historic England, 2018 39 General Principles should be priorities for management • AONB Partnership advice, assistance • National Character Area (NCA) 29 action, to ensure ultimately that no and (where appropriate) grant aid Statement of Environmental Opportunity: assets appear on the Register and that should be provided to help land Protect the geological and historic a sustainable future has been secured managers recognise, conserve, landscape features that are characteristic for all designated and non-designated enhance and increase understanding of the area, including its distinct heritage assets in the AONB. Appropriate and enjoyment of historic environment landform, prehistoric earthworks, proposals for Enabling Development, features on their land. medieval monasteries, grand houses to address issues affecting primarily with designed parkland, and settlement Grade I and Grade II* Listed Buildings, pattern. Manage these features to provide should be supported where appropriate. diverse public benefits, enhancing • Conservation/management plans should the sense of place and history, and be prepared for all designed landscapes, protecting natural resources(43). to help develop a better understanding • Community groups and other and appreciation of their significance researchers should be supported in and to guide their future management. discovering and understanding the • The significance of all aspects of the heritage of the AONB, and feeding historic environment should have a high the results into the North Yorkshire profile amongst residents, land managers Historic Environment Record (HER). and visitors, to ensure that it is respected. • All nationally important heritage assets • Post-Brexit agricultural policy and the in the AONB should be appropriately new environmental land management conserved and managed. scheme should address the historic • Designated heritage assets on Historic environment conservation management England’s ‘Heritage at Risk Register’ issues in the AONB, particularly in relation to non-designated heritage assets, and should promote the benefits that the historic environment can offer to society.

(43)National Character Area 29 Profile: Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian Howardian Hills, Natural England, 2012 40 Key Issues 2019 – 2024 Management Scheme, to ensure that • The unknown outcome of the Brexit Scheduled Monuments remain free Objectives – Historic Environment process and the potential impacts of of bracken/scrub and that benign future trading arrangements, currency vegetation cover becomes established. HE1 Improve understanding of the fluctuations and input/output prices • The condition of non-designated heritage AONB’s historic environment and on the resilience of farm businesses. assets, particularly designed landscapes its significance. These factors could potentially not on the Historic England Register. HE2 Conserve and enhance the lead to significant changes in both • The length of time since the last significance of the AONB’s historic land management practices and comprehensive survey of archaeology in environment. land ownership within the AONB. the AONB in 1993. Current data sources HE3 Help local people to identify the • The Government’s future priorities, need to be thoroughly assessed, to non-designated heritage assets format and level of funding for draw out themes which contribute to which contribute to the character farm support/agri-environment the overall understanding of history and of their area and support the measures following the outcome significance in the Howardian Hills, but development of management of the Brexit process. where there is a lack of knowledge. strategies for their conservation • Small but incremental changes to heritage and enhancement. assets, due to amendments to Permitted Development Rights, unsympathetic Please see the Action Programme for details modernisation work and potentially fewer of specific Actions for each Objective. resources for Planning Enforcement work. • The condition of sites on Historic For Actions relating to: England’s ‘Heritage at Risk Register’, • Community involvement → Objective LC2 particularly Scheduled Monuments • Hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) affected by arable cultivation or → Objective DRE4 damaging plant growth and the Grade • Skills training → Objective DRE6 I Listed structures at Castle Howard. • Promotion & awareness → Objective AP2 Proposals for Enabling Development may come forward to address conservation deficit issues at this and other sites. • The consolidation of work started during

the Historic England-funded Monument www.howardianhills.org.uk 41 Figure 6: Historic Environment Priority Sites Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 42 2.4 Living and Working in The Howardian Hills www.howardianhills.org.uk 43 2.4.1 Local Communities

Key Facts • For North Yorkshire as a whole, the building), lack of local employment and • The Howardian Hills AONB is sparsely percentage of people aged 20-44 lack of public transport. There is also populated, with approximately (25%) is significantly lower than for recognition however of the tranquillity 5,950 people living within the AONB the Yorkshire & Humber region (32%) and natural beauty of the AONB. (45) boundary itself. An additional 3,200 and England as a whole (33%) . • The AONB is a relatively low-crime area, people live in the villages within • The percentage of people aged although the agricultural sector suffers its immediately adjacent ‘socio- 65-84 (21%) is higher than for the from illegal hare and deer coursing, economic envelope’(44). This represents Yorkshire & Humber region (16%) crop damage and machinery theft, and a 2% population decline over the last and England as a whole (16%)(44). this organised criminal activity can also 5-year Management Plan period. • The market towns of , spread into local villages as well. • The majority of the population is Malton and provide the main • There is generally a strong voluntary concentrated within a number of small focus for local employment, shopping, and community sector within the AONB. villages and hamlets. Ampleforth health facilities and recreational A variety of groups provide voluntary (including the Abbey and College) is activity, with only limited services and contracted services to support the largest village, with nearly 1,200 available in individual villages. people, maintain the AONB landscape, residents. Only four other villages • The issues raised during community facilitate access to cultural and heritage contain more than 400 people. The liaison include volume of traffic resources and initiate activities in scattering of villages is interspersed (particularly HGVs), speeding traffic, the local parishes and market towns. with numerous individual farms. size of HGVs and agricultural machinery • Many of the larger AONB villages have • Many villages are ‘estate villages’, where using narrow roads, dog fouling, litter, a Parish Plan, and a significant number the principal estates still own a significant potholes, fracking, poor mobile phone of community projects have been proportion of the properties (e.g. signal, poor broadband connectivity, instigated as a result of them. Most Coneysthorpe, Welburn, Hovingham second homes/holiday cottages, communities however have no kind of and Nunnington). waste reduction, plastic recycling, Parish or other community plan in place. declining services within villages, • The condition of village halls serving housing (lack of affordable housing, AONB communities has generally and also Local Plan targets for house remained stable, following substantial programmes of improvement for (44)Mid-2016 Population Estimates, (45)Mid-Year Estimates, ONS, Crown Copyright, 2017 Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian ONS, Crown Copyright, 2016 many halls some 5-10 years ago. 44 • The LEADER Programme provided range of skills and assets that help them population profile, with potentially significant funding over many years for address current and future challenges. greater reliance on services being village hall improvements, community • The loss of services and facilities delivered by communities themselves heritage projects, business development within villages should be resisted rather than by the public sector. and farming/forestry productivity support. where appropriate, with potential • The continued loss/closure of village • AONB funding for Sustainable new, innovative and rejuvenated amenities such as bus services, Development projects has businesses being supported. shops and pubs. Because these continued to assist with community • Parish Planning should be supported amenities are sparse already, the improvements where applicable. as a useful process that can benefit loss of only one of them can have a • After the end of the School Twinning all sections of a community. significant impact on a community. Project (an HLF-funded programme which • The linkages between the local market • The continued development of worked with the 11 primary schools in towns and their hinterland in the AONB high-speed broadband and mobile the AONB and 9 in York & Hull) in 2014, should be developed, to maximise telecommunications coverage, as these work with schools has continued on the social and economic development are poor in many parts of the AONB and an ad-hoc basis or been linked to new opportunities they provide. this can hinder access to services. initiatives such as the Ryevitalise Project. • Continued coverage of the AONB by a • The continuing importance of the role • The Key Facts on employment and the Rural Development Programme such of environmental sustainability as a way economy of the AONB are contained as LEADER should be a high priority of reducing living costs, for example via in the Development & Rural Economy post-Brexit, as programmes such as energy conservation and waste reduction. section of the Management Plan. these can provide significant social and • The continuing gradual loss of rural • Further information and statistics can also economic benefits for communities. skills and local knowledge. This would be found in the State of the AONB Report. • AONB Partnership advice, be accelerated if the Brexit process assistance and (where appropriate) resulted in significant numbers of grant aid should be provided for family farms becoming unviable and General Principles appropriate community projects. families moving away as a result. • The AONB should have flexible and • The possible loss of identity and resilient communities that are well community cohesion in some rural placed to adapt to the challenges Key Issues 2019 – 2024 communities, due to the turnover that they continue to face. • An ageing and declining population rate of house occupation and • Knowledge-sharing and collaboration profile, potentially resulting in fewer changing working patterns with should be encouraged, to help both economically active people. longer commuting distances. individuals and communities develop a • Service provision linked to the ageing www.howardianhills.org.uk 45 • Levels of rural crime such as illegal hare For Actions relating to: and deer coursing and the theft of farm • Hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) machinery, livestock, heating oil, etc. → Objective DRE4 • Perceptions of the volume and speed • Skills training → Objective DRE6 of traffic passing through villages. • Mobile phone & broadband • Less public sector support and funding infrastructure → Objective DRE7 for community projects, with fewer • Speeding traffic & poor driver ‘development officers’ and less grant aid. behaviour → Objective RTT2 • The potential loss of a Rural Development • Public transport → Objective RTT3 Programme such as LEADER, • Litter & fly-tipping → Objective RAT4 following the change in environmental • Promotion & awareness → Objective AP2 support mechanisms after Brexit.

Objectives – Local Communities

LC1 Support the retention of village services and the identification and implementation of projects that maintain and enhance village character, sustainability, economy and sense of community. LC2 Encourage voluntary and community engagement with the local natural and historic environment of the AONB.

Please see the Action Programme for details of specific Actions for each Objective. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 46 2.4.2 Agriculture Key Facts • Farming in the AONB consists worth over £860,000 per year to the land (47) • Around 70% of the AONB is categorised overwhelmingly of arable cropping, with management economy of the AONB . as farmland and agricultural practices associated sheep and cattle enterprises. • Farm diversification enterprises within therefore have a major influence on The area of arable cropping has increased the AONB include visitor accommodation the appearance of the landscape. by 12%, and the number of sheep and (B&B and self-catering), farm contracting, lambs by 24%, over the last five years. • Farming is a major industry and development of offices/workshops, There are a small number of poultry farms, employment sector within the AONB, specialist cropping/livestock and energy and the number of pigs has decreased and many families have been farming crop production. Commercial game significantly over that time. The dairy herd shooting is an important component of their land for several generations. (46) has remained almost constant . The the rural economy throughout the AONB. • Around 30% of the farmed land is relatively fertile land, low elevation and • The natural capital assets associated with rented, principally from the large moderate rainfall levels mean that food estates, and in the past this has the AONB’s agricultural sector include: production is a significant ecosystem Species; Ecological Communities; Soils; had a generally stabilising effect service provided by the AONB’s farmland. on major land use change. Freshwaters; Land; Atmosphere; Minerals; • Agri-environment schemes have generally Sub-soil assets. • During the period of agricultural been popular in the AONB, with the intensification after World War Two a first Countryside Stewardship Scheme significant proportion of the grassland resulting in significant restoration in the AONB was converted to of hedgerows and the creation of arable cropping. Hedgerow removal long lengths of grass margin. At its was significant in some parts of the height, approximately 45% of the total AONB but less marked in others. AONB area was covered by original • The land is predominantly classed Countryside Stewardship Agreements. as Grade 3, with some areas of • In 2017, 4% of the agricultural land Grade 2 along the limestone ridge area of the AONB was in Entry Level- between Malton and Hovingham. type Stewardship, 2% in Mid Tier-type Permanent pasture is largely confined Stewardship and 26% in Higher Tier- to the steeper slopes, poorer soils type Stewardship. These agreements are and small fields around villages. www.howardianhills.org.uk (46)Defra June Census statistics (47)Natural England, 2018 47 • The ecosystem services that these General Principles • Partnership working with the North York natural capital assets provide include: • National Character Area (NCA) 29 Moors National Park should continue Provisioning Services (food, timber, Statement of Environmental Opportunity: as a fundamental principle, given the biomass energy, water availability); Support sustainable management of overlap of farmland types and habitats Regulating Services (soil erosion, the agricultural landscape to retain between the AONB and National Park. soil quality, water quality, water flow); important rates of food provision, while • Post-Brexit agricultural policy Cultural Services (sense of place/ enhancing the network of semi-natural and the new environmental land inspiration, sense of history, tranquillity, habitats within pastoral and arable management scheme should create/ recreation, biodiversity, geodiversity). landscapes, protecting the wildlife and support resilient farm businesses and • Benefits accruing to the AONB from water quality of the River Derwent, address the farmland conservation the management of these assets and optimising carbon storage, soil quality management issues in the AONB. services include: Food; Fibre; Energy; and regulation of peak flow events, and • AONB Partnership advice, assistance and Clean water; Clean air; Recreation; strengthening the sense of place(48). (where appropriate) grant aid should be Aesthetics; Wildlife; Protection from • A profitable and thriving agricultural provided to help land managers conserve, hazards; an Equable climate. and land management industry should enhance and increase understanding • Please refer to the table in Chapter be encouraged, as this is vital to the and enjoyment of biodiversity, 2.2, which cross-references the economic, environmental and social geodiversity, historic environment and AONB’s natural capital assets wellbeing of the Howardian Hills. landscape features on their land. with the benefits they provide. • Farm diversification enterprises should • Further information and statistics can be be supported where possible, although found in the State of the AONB Report. in general they are likely to remain secondary to the production of livestock, arable crops and (in the future) ‘public goods’ for many of the AONB’s farmers. • New farm buildings and infrastructure projects should be supported, where they follow the principles of the AONB New Farm Buildings & Infrastructure Design Guidance.

(48)National Character Area 29 Profile:

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian Howardian Hills, Natural England, 2012 48 Please see the Action Programme for details Key Issues 2019 – 2024 Objectives – Agriculture of specific Actions for each Objective. • The unknown outcome of the Brexit process and the potential impacts of For Actions relating to: AG1 Encourage the development future trading arrangements, currency • Advice and grant aid for biodiversity and and uptake of new Government fluctuations and input/output prices geodiversity projects → Objective NE8 support mechanisms that on the resilience of farm businesses. promote sustainable farm and • Advice and grant aid for historic These factors could potentially → rural business development. environment projects Objective HE2 lead to significant changes in both • Community involvement → Objective LC2 land management practices and AG2 Support farm businesses in • Hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) land ownership within the AONB. the AONB by providing advice → Objective DRE4 • The Government’s future priorities, and appropriate assistance. • Skills training → Objective DRE6 format and level of funding for AG3 Ensure high standards of design farm support/agri-environment • Promotion & awareness → Objective AP2 and careful siting of all new farm measures following the outcome buildings and infrastructure. of the Brexit process. www.howardianhills.org.uk 49 2.4.3 Forestry and Woodland

Key Facts • Clearfelling rates are approximately • Phytophthora ramorum was discovered • Woodland cover, at approximately 20-30ha per year. on larch and rhododendron near Gilling 18%, is one of the defining features • Approximately 60% of the woodland in 2015, although this outbreak currently of the Howardian Hills landscape. in the AONB is believed to be certified appears to have been satisfactorily controlled. Chalara Dieback of Ash is • 47% of the woodland is classified under the UK Woodland Assurance (49) now widespread throughout the AONB, as Ancient Woodland . Scheme (UKWAS). This is principally the Castle Howard and Hovingham estates. although mature trees don’t appear to • There are also significant numbers of have been affected significantly as yet. in-field and boundary trees, designed • The management objectives of the • The natural capital assets associated parklands and areas of wood pasture, majority of woodland owners are with the AONB’s forestry and woodland with many veteran and ancient trees. principally timber/wood production and game shooting. Forest management management sector include: Species; • The AONB, together with the adjoining is an important component of the rural Ecological Communities; Soils; south west corner of the North York economy throughout the AONB. Freshwaters; Land; Atmosphere. Moors National Park, is the most heavily • The ecosystem services that these wooded area in the north of England. • The local market for broadleaved firewood logs is currently good natural capital assets provide include: • In 2013, it was estimated that the and this has supported a relatively Provisioning Services (food, timber, AONB’s soils and biomass had a store high level of management activity biomass energy, water availability); of approximately 1.3 million tonnes of within woods recently. Regulating Services (soil erosion, soil carbon, and that its land use pattern was • 78% of the woodland in the AONB is in quality, water quality, water flow); Cultural sequestering at a rate of approximately Services (sense of place/inspiration, 85,000 tonnes of carbon per year. active management, which is the highest rate for any AONB in England(50). sense of history, tranquillity, recreation, The large majority of this is due to biodiversity, geodiversity). the significant area of woodland.

• 85% of woodland is in private ownership,

with the remaining 15% owned/leased by

the Forestry Commission.

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian (49)Forestry Commission, 2016 (50)Forestry Commission, 2016 50 • Benefits accruing to the AONB from • A move towards greater use of • Restocking by natural regeneration the management of these assets and continuous cover management should be encouraged, where this services include: Food; Fibre; Energy; systems should be encouraged, would be appropriate and viable. Clean water; Clean air; Recreation; where conditions are suitable. • Careful selection of planting stock for Aesthetics; Wildlife; Protection from • Multi-objective management of future climate and pest/disease resilience hazards; an Equable climate. woodland should be encouraged, using should be encouraged. The use of • Please refer to the table in Chapter site management plans to recognise climate-appropriate provenance conifer 2.2, which cross-references the and incorporate other conservation planting stock should be promoted in AONB’s natural capital assets objectives e.g. historic environment, commercial woodlands, whilst the wider with the benefits they provide. access, natural flood management, etc. genetic base for broadleaves means that • Further information and statistics can be • The incidence and impact of pests local provenance material should still be encouraged in Ancient Woodlands found in the State of the AONB Report. and diseases should be monitored and mitigated as an integral part of and for in-field/boundary trees. woodland management strategies, in • Further development of both local and General Principles accordance with the Government’s regional markets for timber and woodland • National Character Area (NCA) 29 Tree Health Resilience Strategy(52). products should be supported. Statement of Environmental Opportunity: New plant diseases pose one of the • Post-Brexit woodland management Manage the wooded character of the biggest threats to the appearance of policy and the new environmental land NCA and its important historic parklands the AONB landscape, due to the loss management scheme should address the to optimise carbon storage, water quality of iconic tree species and restrictions management issues found in the AONB, and regulation of peak flow events, and to imposed on restock species choice. particularly in relation to restoration of strengthen habitat networks, enhancing • Where appropriate, the restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (51) the sense of place and history . conifer plantation areas within Plantations (PAWS) and the co-ordinated control of • Woodland cover should be maintained on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) to deer and grey squirrel. and, where appropriate, increased so as resilient native broadleaved species to retain the well-wooded appearance should be encouraged and supported. of the AONB landscape and assist with • Owners and managers should be natural flood management. encouraged to bring under-managed woods back into active management.

(52)https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/ (51)National Character Area 29 Profile: uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ www.howardianhills.org.uk Howardian Hills, Natural England, 2012 file/710719/tree-health-resilience-strategy.pdf 51 • Advice should be available to Key Issues 2019 – 2024 • The unknown incidence of further woodland managers on woodland • The unknown outcome of the Brexit outbreaks of Phytophthora ramorum management and sources of funding. process and the potential impacts of within the AONB. One outbreak at Gilling • AONB Partnership advice, assistance future trading arrangements, currency (on rhododendron and larch) appears to and (where appropriate) grant fluctuations and input/output prices be under control, but widespread infection aid should be provided to help on the resilience of farm businesses. would have significant implications for woodland managers conserve, These factors could potentially the AONB’s landscape, biodiversity and enhance and increase understanding lead to significant changes in both woodland management economy. and enjoyment of biodiversity, land management practices and • The impact of other infectious plant geodiversity, historic environment and land ownership within the AONB. diseases and both native and non- landscape features on their land. • The Government’s future priorities, native plant/animal species, e.g. Red • Partnership working with the North York format and level of funding for Band Needle Blight, roe deer, Himalayan Moors National Park should continue farm support/agri-environment balsam, rhododendron, grey squirrel, as a fundamental principle, given the measures following the outcome muntjac deer, etc. Some of these species national significance of woodland of the Brexit process. are already present, whilst others are currently found outside the AONB but are within the AONB/National Park area. • The increasing impact of Chalara Dieback threatening to move in. More potential of Ash on woodland and individual threats are likely to emerge in the future. trees in the AONB, as it continues to spread and affect larger trees. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 52 Please see the Action Programme for details Objectives – Forestry and Woodland of specific Actions for each Objective.

For Actions relating to: FW1 Ensure that all woodland felling, management and creation • Advice and grant aid for biodiversity and proposals recognise the Special Qualities of the AONB. geodiversity projects → Objective NE8 FW2 Encourage a multi-objective approach to woodland management in the AONB. • Advice and grant aid for historic FW3 Monitor and mitigate the incidence and impacts environment projects → Objective HE2 of pests and diseases in the AONB. • Community involvement → Objective LC2 FW4 Encourage the use of trees and shrubs of climate-appropriate provenance • Hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) when planting or restocking, to develop future resilience. → Objective DRE4 FW5 Encourage new areas of woodland where these would conserve • Skills training → Objective DRE6 or enhance the Special Qualities of the AONB, enhance habitat or • Promotion & awareness → Objective AP2 natural capital networks, or provide ecosystem services benefits. FW6 Support the continued development of markets for timber and woodland products. FW7 Encourage the development and uptake of new grant and advice mechanisms that achieve AONB Management Plan objectives for woodland management and creation. www.howardianhills.org.uk 53 Figure 7: Distribution and Type of Woodland Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 54 2.4.4 Development and the Rural Economy

Key Facts Fishing, and they account for 24% of • The housing affordability ratio • The primary focus of local economic the employment numbers. This is over in the AONB is 8.8, significantly activity is the market towns of Malton, twice the proportion for the Rural area of higher than the Yorkshire & Humber (54) (54) Easingwold and Helmsley, all of which the Yorkshire & Humber region (10%) . regional average of 5.0 . are in close proximity but outside • Tourism businesses account for 8% of • Accessibility to housing and services the AONB boundary. They act as the total number of businesses in the is generally very poor, with nearly the the main centres for employment, AONB, and 22% of the employment whole of the AONB falling into the shopping, leisure and health services. numbers. Again, this is nearly twice lowest 20% quintile for that element of (55) • The AONB has a ‘Sparse’ population the proportion for the Rural area of the the Index of Multiple Deprivation . (54) living in Rural Villages, Hamlets and Yorkshire & Humber region (12%) . Isolated Dwellings, as defined by • The economic impact of the visitor Defra’s Rural Definition 2011(53). economy in the AONB is detailed in the • There is a low unemployment rate Key Facts section of the Recreation, but also a low-wage local economy. Access & Tourism chapter. Many people work within the general • Over half of the total employee locality, but there is also significant out- numbers in the AONB are believed to commuting to major employment centres be associated with a small number such as the York and Leeds areas. of relatively large businesses, • There are high self-employment including Castle Howard and (54) and VAT Registration rates, which Ampleforth Abbey & College . is typical of sparsely populated • Household income levels within the AONB rural areas that are dependent upon are generally higher than the regional agriculture, forestry and tourism. average(54), but this masks low wage levels • 42% of the businesses within the AONB in the general locality and amongst some are in the category Agriculture/Forestry/ sectors of the workforce (notably in the primary industries).

(53)https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/ (54)Howardian Hills AONB Economic Profile – (55)https://www.datanorthyorkshire.org/JSNA/articles/ uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/ Revised, Defra Rural Statistics Unit, 2012 indices-of-deprivation-summary/district-level/ www.howardianhills.org.uk file/597751/Defining_rural_areas__Mar_2017_.pdf 55 • The AONB in general has not been General Principles • Appropriate renewable energy under as much development pressure • All new development should be fully installations should be supported. as some other AONBs, but existing sustainable in environmental, economic • Appropriate development proposals that and emerging issues include large new and social terms, recognising the benefit the local economy and provide agricultural buildings, conventional Special Qualities of the AONB. nearby employment (particularly in and now unconventional hydrocarbon • Existing intrusive features should be better paid jobs) should be supported. exploration and production, more mitigated where possible, such as by the • More small-scale rural business extensive housing developments than undergrounding of overhead electricity space should be provided, either in the past, upgrading of the A64, new lines, better screening for other buildings/ by the re-use of existing buildings telecommunications infrastructure installations and the application of or by appropriate new-build. and recreational developments. proportionate planning controls. • The visitor economy of the AONB should • Further information and statistics can be • High levels of tranquillity should be be developed in a sustainable and found in the State of the AONB Report. maintained in the AONB, by resisting collaborative way, as part of the wider • In legal terms, the AONB Management increases in noise and light pollution. North York Moors area and also as part Plan outlines the policies of North • Mineral extraction (in particular hydraulic of the hinterland of the City of York. Yorkshire, Hambleton and Ryedale fracturing) within the AONB and its Councils as they relate to the AONB. setting should be tightly controlled, in The AONB Partnership is part of North line with Government legislation and Yorkshire County Council; it works to local Minerals Planning policy. Policy influence national and local legislation, should support the extraction of local regulations, planning policy and planning building stone where this is needed to decisions, and has a critical role to facilitate the repair of vernacular buildings play within the planning system. and structures in the local area. • Enhancements to the A64 to improve road safety and accessibility both locally and regionally should be supported, subject to taking full account of the AONB designation and minimising the environmental impact on the AONB.

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 56 • Training programmes in a wide variety • Local needs housing (controlled via • Improvements to the A64 to enhance of topics including land management, Local Needs Occupancy Conditions) road safety and accessibility. historic buildings conservation, should be promoted as an important • The continuing development of business management and ICT skills, component of sustainable communities. a sustainable visitor economy and the means of accessing them, Affordable housing however is only in the Howardian Hills. should be supported so as to provide likely to be facilitated through the • The provision of new rural local people with better all-round associated provision of market business space. opportunities for employment. housing, although community-led • The lack of affordable and local housing initiatives could have an • The continuing programme to roll- needs housing for local workers. out high-speed broadband will be important role to play in identifying • The pressure for significant developments supported as a vital component of and bringing forward suitable sites. of market housing, and the dilemma that business and community development, affordable housing may only be provided where installations follow the agreed Key Issues 2019 – 2024 in conjunction with market housing. industry Code of Practice. • The balance between economic/housing • The potential decline of villages as • New telecommunications masts will be growth and conserving and enhancing coherent communities in the face supported where they are carefully sited/ the AONB’s Special Qualities, within of conflicting pressures such as designed and offer better coverage or the context of the continuously evolving expensive market housing, poorer service to the widest number of users. National Planning Policy Framework. village and transport services and

• The exploration for conventional and the lack of local needs housing.

unconventional hydrocarbons, potentially

followed by production facilities using

hydraulic or non-hydraulic fracturing.

• The continued development of high-speed broadband and mobile telecommunications coverage, as these are poor in many parts of the AONB and this hinders local businesses and deters new business start-ups.

www.howardianhills.org.uk 57 Please see the Action Programme for details Objectives – Development and the Rural Economy of specific Actions for each Objective.

For Actions relating to: DRE1 Ensure that all new development is compatible with the aims of AONB designation → and has regard to social, economic and environmental sustainability. • Community involvement Objective LC2 • Promotion & awareness → Objective AP2 DRE2 Encourage high standards in both the design of new development within the AONB and the management of existing buildings/features.

DRE3 Encourage the mitigation of intrusive features, to enhance the local landscape character and tranquillity of the AONB.

DRE4 Support appropriate minerals-working proposals which conserve and enhance the Special Qualities of the AONB.

DRE5 Support appropriate renewable energy installations that do not have adverse impacts on the Special Qualities of the AONB.

DRE6 Support rural business, local employment, training & skills and farm diversification activities that do not have adverse impacts on the Special Qualities of the AONB. DRE7 Encourage the expansion of modern telecommunications infrastructure, whilst safeguarding the Special Qualities and tranquillity of the AONB.

DRE8 Encourage the increased provision of local needs/affordable housing in the AONB. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 58 2.4.5 Roads, Transport and Traffic Management Key Facts • Local Highway Authority funding • The AONB still retains a significant • The network of roads in the is generally concentrated on the number of highway structures in Howardian Hills has evolved over maintenance of the highway network traditional designs such as stone many centuries, in line with the rather than on improvements, unless bridges, direction signs, mileposts distribution of human settlement and significant road safety issues have and village name signs. the requirements of the population. been identified. Funding can also be • Road verges within the AONB are an secured from additional or alternative • The busy A64 Leeds to Scarborough important resource of unimproved sources such as the Safer Roads Trunk Road (managed by Highways grassland, particularly along the B1257 Fund, National Productivity Investment England) is the only major arterial route between Malton and Hovingham. Fund, etc for eligible schemes. that passes directly through the AONB. • Traffic levels in North Yorkshire as a whole It plays a fundamental inter-connecting • Roadside boundaries are generally have increased in recent years following role linking Malton, Scarborough and well-hedged, with drystone walls a short period of decline between the Yorkshire coast with the A1(M). It on the higher open ground of the 2007 and 2012. Traffic levels increased also services local transport needs, Plateau landscape character area. by 9% between 2012 and 2016, to including those of agriculture. • Mature trees are features of major reach 5,177 million vehicle miles(55). • Two secondary routes cross the area: significance on many roads, including • The road network could generally be the B1257 from Malton to the A170 at the sycamore avenue between considered quiet in comparison to Sproxton and the section of the B1363 Caulkleys Bank and Nunnington, other parts of the country, but local between and Brandsby. the four mile (6.4km) avenue of residents and non-motorised users have lime and beech at Castle Howard • The remainder of the road network strong concerns about HGV delivery and the informal oak-lined eastern consists of minor roads either linking and through-traffic, driver behaviour approaches to Bulmer and Terrington. villages or crossing the AONB in a north- (principally speeding) and the size of farm south direction. The A170 near Helmsley • Some routes, particularly the Castle machinery using narrow country lanes. and all the roads of B Class or lower are Howard Avenue, have significant managed by North Yorkshire County heritage assets either within or directly Council, as the local Highway Authority. adjacent to the highway boundary.

(56)www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ department-for-transport/series/road-traffic-statistics www.howardianhills.org.uk 59 • Regular daily bus services within the General Principles • Traditional direction signs, mileposts AONB are only found in the Malton – • Inappropriate through-traffic should not and other historic structures within Hovingham corridor, and car ownership be using the AONB as a short-cut. and adjacent to the highway should levels are significantly higher (over 90%) continue to be maintained and restored. • Considerate driver behaviour should than the national average (75%)(57). be encouraged, and backed-up by • Special Interest Road Verges should • Car parking in the AONB is generally enforcement, particularly in relation be managed to conserve and enhance of an informal nature on road verges or to speeding through villages and their biodiversity value, balanced gravel lay-bys near to popular walking when passing non-motorised users with the needs of road safety. routes. Hovingham and Coneysthorpe such as cyclists, horse riders, etc. • Enhancements to the A64 to improve village hall car parks operate an ‘honesty • Public transport provision and usage journey time reliability, road safety box’ system for visitors, and there are should be encouraged, but recognising and accessibility both locally and larger car parks at attractions such as that the AONB is a sparsely populated regionally should be supported, Nunnington Hall, Yorkshire Lavender rural area and that public sector subject to taking full account of the and Castle Howard. Some verge parking funding for services is generally AONB designation and minimising the areas are suffering from erosion, and can likely to be severely restricted. environmental impact on the AONB. have a significant number of vehicles

parked at popular times of the day. • Other alternatives to the private car such as community transport, and Key Issues 2019 – 2024 • There is a strong regional desire for cycling or walking for short journeys, improvements to be made to the A64. • Continued funding pressures at North should be encouraged and supported. The single carriageway sections and Yorkshire County Council for highways ‘transition’ points have a poor safety • Sustainable linkages should be improvements/maintenance and record, and significant variations in road encouraged both to and within public transport service support. conditions and traffic flows lead to a the adjacent market towns, as • Continued funding pressures on high unreliability in journey times. The they are the principal focus for community transport initiatives such road has a number of sub-standard delivering local services. as minibus brokerage and ‘Wheels junctions with a history of fatal accidents, • The design and implementation to Work’ moped hire schemes. and is also used by agricultural traffic. of maintenance and improvement • Significant new house building outside • Further information and statistics can be works should reflect the character the AONB in the market towns of found in the State of the AONB Report. of the rural road network and the Helmsley and Malton is already special status of the AONB. increasing both commuter and visitor traffic levels, with some country lanes

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian becoming rat-runs to avoid congestion. (57)Census 2011, ONS, Crown Copyright 60 • The increasing size of farm machinery and the impact it has on the carriageway Objectives – Roads, Transport and Traffic Management surface, verges, road safety and tranquillity of narrow rural roads. RTT1 Develop solutions to specific traffic routing issues in and • North Yorkshire and Ryedale Councils around the AONB, discourage through-traffic and ensure are working with other Councils, local that other traffic uses the most appropriate route. businesses and the Local Enterprise RTT2 Support initiatives to monitor and address traffic and Partnership to lobby and support driver behaviour issues in the AONB. Highways England in their proposals to upgrade the A64 between York and RTT3 Promote the use of sustainable modes of transport Malton. Highways England is currently as alternatives to the private car. consulting on the preparation of its second Roads Investment Strategy RTT4 Maintain the existing rural character of the road network in the AONB. (RIS2). RIS1 included proposals for RTT5 Support proposals for improvement of the A64 Trunk Road through dualling the A64 east of the Hopgrove the AONB, subject to these being fully justified and sensitive to local roundabout. The Delivery Plan for RIS2 is characteristics. Proposals should aim to minimise environmental expected to be announced in early 2020 impact, make maximum use of the existing road alignment and and may potentially include proposals utilise new techniques such as ‘green bridges’ where possible. for dualling the Welburn to Musley Bank (58) section of the A64 within the AONB . Please see the Action Programme for details of specific Actions for each Objective.

For Actions relating to: • Special Interest Road Verge management → Objective NE3 • Community involvement → Objective LC2 • Hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) → Objective DRE4 • Skills training → Objective DRE6 • Promotion & awareness → Objective AP2

(58)https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/ uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/666965/ www.howardianhills.org.uk shaping-the-future-of-englands-strategic-roads.pdf 61 2.5 Enjoying the AONB Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 62 2.5.1 Recreation, Access and Tourism Key Facts and distance, and many stiles were • Because the Howardian Hills has • A wide range of outdoor recreational replaced by gates. Maintenance of this not historically been a major visitor activities including walking, horse enhanced infrastructure is on-going, destination there is a relative lack of riding, mountain biking, country to try and maintain the standard. facilities. There are no formal country sports, road-cycle training/events and • Visitors and Users Surveys indicate that parks or picnic sites, car parking touring, canoeing and orienteering people are attracted by the unspoilt facilities are limited and toilets are only are conducted in the AONB. Activity landscape, the peace and tranquillity located at the village pubs/cafes, village is generally adequately dispersed and the sense of ‘discovery’ of a halls or larger visitor attractions. or at low frequency, so serious or relatively unknown area of England(59). • Facilities for staying visitors are however prolonged impact is uncommon. • STEAM data for 2017 indicates that, for diverse and widespread now. Serviced • The area is rich in heritage and the five the AONB and a 1km buffer around it (but accommodation is available in village main historic properties open to the public excluding Malton and Helmsley) there hotels/pubs, with bed-and-breakfast in attract large numbers of visitors – Castle were 791,000 Staying and Day Visitors, farmhouses and village properties. Self- Howard, Nunnington Hall, Kirkham Priory, accounting for 976,000 Visitor Days. catering holiday cottages are available in Hovingham Hall and Newburgh Priory. The visitor economy of the area was most villages and there are a number of small farm-based caravan and camping • The AONB has an extensive network worth almost £45m and tourism activity sites. There are also several larger sites of Public Rights of Way, with 126 miles supported 589 Full Time Equivalent jobs for camping and both static and touring (202km) of footpaths and 57 miles directly and indirectly. The Tourism Direct caravans. More up-market facilities (93km) of bridleways. There are also Gross Value Added (TD-GVA) of the such as camping pods continue to be a number of permissive footpaths. visitor economy was worth approximately £14 million, rising to approximately £31 developed, but at a relatively slow rate. • The Ebor Way, Centenary Way, Foss million when indirect/induced effects are • Further information and statistics can be Way and unofficial Howardian Way long included. In comparison to 2016, Visitor found in the State of the AONB Report. distance walks cross the area, giving numbers and Days were 1% higher and opportunities for longer walking trips. Economic Impact 4% higher in 2017(60). • A comprehensive programme of improvements to path furniture throughout the AONB was carried out (59) (60) between 1998 and 2005, with new Howardian Hills AONB Visitors and Users STEAM Trend Report for 2016-2017, Global Surveys, Bowles Green Ltd, Howardian Hills AONB Tourism Solutions (UK) Ltd, Howardian Hills www.howardianhills.org.uk fingerposts installed showing destination Joint Advisory Committee, 2003 & 2012 AONB Joint Advisory Committee, 2018 63 General Principles • The Public Rights of Way network should • Management work should be carried • National Character Area (NCA) 29 be improved where appropriate, using out where appropriate to improve Statement of Environmental Opportunity: Diversions, Creations/Extinguishments the visitor experience and minimise Promote enhanced access to and and permissive routes to develop conflict with other Management Plan enjoyment of the Howardian Hills in a more coherent and universal Objectives or local interests. The ways that will maintain and enhance network fit for modern purposes. Derwent Valley however is a particularly the AONB’s Special Qualities and • Everyone should be able to enjoy sensitive location due to its international character, and its tranquillity, and that the AONB, so constraints preventing nature conservation designations. will support the essential underpinning Under-Represented Groups from • Access to recreational opportunities using ecosystem services, the quality of soils visiting or using the area should be public transport or other low-impact and water, and carbon storage(61). minimised as much as possible. means of travel should be promoted. • The primary Purpose of Designation • Information in a variety of formats is the conservation and enhancement should be provided for a wide of the AONB’s Special Qualities, but range of users, to allow them to sustainable access and recreational enjoy and appreciate the AONB. activities/developments should be • Working in partnership to promote the supported where appropriate. attractions of the wider North York • Public Rights of Way should be Moors and ‘York Hinterland’ areas managed to a high standard, should be strengthened, ensuring maintaining both path furniture and however that the Howardian Hills sub- condition to ensure ease of use. identity is maintained and enhanced. • Innovative approaches to carrying • Partnerships with local visitor attractions, out path maintenance, e.g. by accommodation providers and other using volunteers or partnering public sector organisations should with other organisations, should be further developed, to promote be continued and expanded. the Howardian Hills identity.

(61)National Character Area 29 Profile: Howardian Hills, Natural England, 2012 Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 64 Key Issues 2019 – 2024 • The continual need for maintenance Objectives – Recreation, Access and Tourism and improvement of the Public Rights of Way network and path condition, RAT1 Encourage sustainable recreational activities that do not to make the AONB more accessible conflict with the Special Qualities of the AONB. for a wider range of users. RAT2 Promote the attractions and Special Qualities of the AONB to • The high significance of the next 5 year encourage sustainable use and support the local visitor economy. period in the run-up to the 2026 cut- off deadline for recording all Public RAT3 Maintain and improve both the condition and network Rights of Way on the Definitive Map. of Public Rights of Way in the AONB. • The continued pressure on resources at North Yorkshire County Council for path RAT4 Carry out recreational management measures as appropriate, to maintenance and network development. enhance enjoyment by the public and address local issues.

• The need to develop better links to the RAT5 Develop routes within the AONB for different user Howardian Hills for visitors staying in groups and provide self-guided information. the wider local area, and to enhance the identity of the Howardian Hills Please see the Action Programme for details of specific Actions for each Objective. as part of wider area branding. • The lack of general facilities such • For Actions relating to: as car parking and public toilets. • Community involvement → Objective LC2 • Verge erosion at the entrance to • Skills training → Objective DRE6 some popular Public Rights of Way, • Promotion & awareness → Objective AP2 which can be unsightly and damage important road verge flora. • Localised management issues such as mountain bike trail-building in woodland, which can damage ground flora and historic environment features. www.howardianhills.org.uk 65 Figure 8: Visitor attractions and Recreation Priority Sites Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 66 2.6 Awareness and Promotion Key Facts • On average the AONB and work General Principles • The Howardian Hills AONB is still within it receives approximately 30- • The public profile of the Howardian a relatively recent designation, 35 press mentions per year. Hills AONB should be maintained having been confirmed in 1987. In • The AONB Unit has a Twitter account and enhanced, using a variety of comparison the adjacent and better- and uses this daily to respond to queries mechanisms and partnerships. known North York Moors National and gather information on AONB • New technologies and means of Park was designated in 1952. issues/management. It also uses it to communication should be adopted • The principal audiences for awareness- promote the Howardian Hills AONB where feasible, bearing in mind raising initiatives are local people living and the work of the AONB Partnership, any limitations (e.g. poor mobile and working in the AONB, visitors as well as AONBs nationally. telecommunications coverage, target (and potential visitors) to the AONB • The AONB website was re-designed audience, staff resources, etc). and staff in partner organisations. in 2015 and provides the main portal • Efforts should continue to encourage • In 2003 23% of survey respondents for people to access the guided more users from Under-Represented could specifically say that they were route leaflets, Management Plan Groups to visit and enjoy the AONB. documents, Annual Reports, etc. in the Howardian Hills AONB; in 2012 • Awareness of the AONB as a venue (62) this proportion had risen to 68% . for quiet enjoyment and outdoor • Press releases and publications such as recreation should be promoted. the Annual Report and AONB Newsletter • Events and activities should be used (which is delivered to over 10,000 to make people aware of the AONB’s residential and business addresses within Special Qualities and to promote the AONB and surrounding area) are the appropriate management techniques. main methods of print publicity used. • Working with local schools and communities should continue to be a high priority.

(62)The Howardian Hills AONB Visitors and Users

Surveys, Bowles Green Ltd, Howardian Hills AONB www.howardianhills.org.uk Joint Advisory Committee, 2003 & 2012 67 Key Issues 2019 – 2024 • The continued decline of more Objectives – Awareness and Promotion traditional forms of promotional material and the need to develop AP1 Maintain awareness and understanding of the AONB designation, its information distribution types and importance and the role and work of the Joint Advisory Committee. mechanisms for new audiences. AP2 Promote awareness of the Special Qualities of the AONB. • Reduced resources for ‘promotional’ work, potentially leading to a loss of awareness about the AONB and Please see the Action Programme for details of specific Actions for each Objective. hence opportunities for recreation For Actions relating to: and supporting the local economy. • Community involvement → Objective LC2 • Skills training → Objective DRE6 Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 68 3.1 Putting the Plan into Action

Co-ordination of effort Resources tasks, volunteering mechanisms, technical • The main purpose of the Joint • The majority of the proposals set advice and in-kind contributions. Advisory Committee (JAC) is to focus out in the Management Plan can • The Howardian Hills AONB borders the attention on the needs of the AONB only be achieved by influencing the North York Moors National Park and there and to co-ordinate the efforts of efforts and resources of the many are significant opportunities for both joint- local authorities and organisations organisations, groups and individuals working and cross-boundary initiatives. representing various interests. already active in managing the area • Further information and statistics can be • Although the AONB Unit has a pivotal as part of their day-to-day work. found in the State of the AONB Report. role to play in co-ordinating the • Various sources of grant aid and implementation of the Management advice are available for countryside Key Issues 2019 – 2024 Plan, it would be inappropriate management, business development, • The unknown outcome of the Brexit and impossible for it to directly community planning and action, etc. process and the potential impacts of implement all the Objectives. The AONB Management Plan is the future trading arrangements, currency • The co-ordinated delivery of action ‘ground-level’ plan that helps guide fluctuations and input/output prices by partner organisations and implementation of local and national on the resilience of farm businesses. individuals is the key to success. strategies and funding programmes These factors could potentially within the Howardian Hills AONB. • The JAC draws up an annual Action lead to significant changes in both • Maintaining an adequately staffed AONB Programme each financial year to land management practices and Unit is important in ensuring that this co- guide specific actions within that year. land ownership within the AONB. Progress against this is reported at ordination of effort takes place and that • The Government’s future priorities, the Spring meeting of the JAC, with appropriate partnerships are developed. format and level of funding for new actions being set for the following • A key task of the AONB Unit is to identify farm support/agri-environment year. This process is always flexible, individual or linked programmes of measures following the outcome allowing new initiatives to be pursued projects and lever-in funding or assistance of the Brexit process. if in-year opportunities arise. This from the most appropriate source. • Continued pressure on funding from responsiveness will be particularly • Forms of assistance can include central Government to local authorities, important during this Management grant funding, staff assistance or leading to reduced service provision. Plan period, due to the uncertainties ‘secondments’ for specific projects or www.howardianhills.org.uk associated with the Brexit process. 69 • The unknown level of Government funding for AONBs after the end of the Protected Objectives – Implementation Settlement period on 31st March 2020. • The unknown recommendations that IM1 Consolidate and develop funding and partnership mechanisms will be contained in the ‘Glover Review’ to achieve Management Plan objectives. into the funding and management of AONBs, which was announced IM2 Ensure that the AONB Partnership has a robust business in Defra’s 25 year Environment model that is resilient to future challenges. Plan(63) and set up in June 2018. • Continued pressure to deliver a wide Please see the Action Programme for details of specific Actions for each Objective. variety of outcomes in both ‘traditional’ areas of activity and also in increasingly important new ones e.g. health & wellbeing.

(63)A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment, Defra, GOV.UK, 2018. https://www.gov. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan 70 3.2 Monitoring

The effectiveness of the Action Programme AONB. The data for these Indicators by Natural England. These have now will be carefully monitored. Reliable and is largely being made available as part been superseded by Key Performance accurate performance information is of Natural England’s Framework for Indicators drawn up by the National essential to allow proper management of Monitoring Environmental Outcomes Association for AONBs as a mechanism the Action Programme by the AONB Joint in Protected Landscapes. In addition for reporting AONB Family achievements Advisory Committee (JAC) and other lead there are several local Indicators for to Defra. These include Indicators on area agencies, and to provide key stakeholders which data is compiled by the AONB of land enhanced for biodiversity and and the wider community with the means Unit and partner organisations. historic environment features, number to evaluate progress. Performance • The data for the Condition Indicators of partnerships influenced, number of measurement will take place on two levels. as assessed at the 2019 Management planning applications scrutinised and Plan review is contained in the income secured. These Indicators will AONB Condition monitoring State of the AONB Report. be used from April 2019 onwards as the • The condition of the AONB’s environment measure of AONB Partnership action, (in its broad sense) is the key test of the Partnership monitoring and will also feed into Indicators being Action Programme’s effectiveness in developed by Defra to monitor progress • An annual Action Programme is drawn- implementing the Management Plan. of the 25 Year Environment Plan. up in order to guide specific actions • Condition monitoring will take place on against relevant Objectives within each a 5-yearly cycle, linked to Management financial year. Progress against the Plan reviews. This allows progress to be annual Action Programme is reported assessed and relevant new targets set. at the Spring meeting of the JAC • The list of Indicators shown in Figure 9 and posted on the AONB website. is used to measure the Condition of the A summary of achievements is also published in documents such as the Annual Report and AONB News. • The performance of the AONB Partnership as a whole was monitored for many years via the Partnership Indicators that were developed many years ago www.howardianhills.org.uk 71 Management Plan Review • Section 89(7) of the Countryside Objectives – Monitoring & Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 stipulates that AONB Management Plans MN1 Monitor the performance of the AONB must be reviewed every five years. Partnership and AONB Unit. • The next formal review of the MN2 Monitor the Condition of the AONB. Management Plan will begin in 2023, although the Plan is under constant informal review to ensure that its overall aims are being achieved, and Please see the Action Programme for details policies are constantly evolving to of specific Actions for each Objective. reflect changing issues and priorities.

• Defra’s 25 Year Environment Plan, launched in January 2018, indicated that a new ‘Hobhouse Report’ into the funding and management of AONBs would be commissioned. The results of the ‘Glover Review’, which was set up in June 2018, could have significant implications for the next review of the AONB Management Plan. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 72 Figure 9: AONB Condition Indicators

Attribute Indicator Data collection organisation

a) % of Agricultural Farmland managed under a Higher Tier-type Stewardship agreement (HLS & HT) a) Natural England b) Natural England 1. Farmed Landscape b) % of Agricultural Farmland managed under a Mid Tier-type Stewardship agreement (MT) c) % of Agricultural Farmland managed under an Entry Level-type Stewardship agreement (ELS) c) Natural England d) Changes in farmland type (% of permanent pasture/temporary grassland/arable land) d) Defra

a) Natural England 2. Woodland Landscape a) Condition of SSSIs b) Delivery of LBAP habitat targets for AONB – Condition of SINCs b) JAC/NYCC

a) Natural England 3. Biodiversity a) Condition of SSSIs b) Delivery of LBAP habitat targets for AONB – Condition of SINCs b) JAC/NYCC

a) Number of Archaeological features in the At Risk, Vulnerable and Low/Not at Risk categories a) Historic England b) Condition of Registered Parks & Gardens and historic landscapes b) Historic England/JAC 4. Historic and Built c) Number of Buildings and Structures on ‘At Risk’ Registers c) Historic England/District Councils Environment d) Number of Conservation Areas on the ‘At Risk’ Register d) Historic England e) Number of Places of Worship on the ‘At Risk’ Register e) Historic England f) Condition of non-designated Historic Environment Priority Sites f) JAC/NYCC

5. Water Quality (Rivers) Length of rivers (%) with 'High' or 'Good' Ecological Status (Water Framework Directive) Environment Agency

a) Maximum and minimum Tranquillity scores (CPRE/NE study) 6. Tranquillity CPRE/NE b) % of AONB in the relative High or Very High categories (CPRE/NE study)

7. Enjoying the Countryside ‘Ease of Use’ (%) of PRoW JAC/NYCC

8. Village Services/ JAC/District Councils/Local % of AONB villages that have a shop, pub, Post Office service or community building Amenities Communities

9. Awareness of the AONB % of survey respondents aware of the Howardian Hills AONB designation JAC designation www.howardianhills.org.uk 73 3.3 Action Programme

The Management Plan contains a large number of Objectives and priority Actions.

A list of recommended Delivery Partner/s has been identified for each Action – if there is a clear ‘Lead’ Partner they have been put in bold. The list is not exhaustive and it is hoped that other groups will wish to join any partnerships that are formed. The table also gives a provisional timescale and priority rating for each Action. Priority 1 Actions are those deemed to be of the highest importance and the ones on which resources should be concentrated. Priority 2 Actions are those that are considered to be less critical, or ones for which significant additional resources are likely to be needed. The table should be read in conjunction with the Landscape Management & Priority Sites section of the Management Plan.

The Action Programme forms the basis for annual work programmes for the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) and partner organisations. The Spring meetings of the JAC consider work completed in the previous year, as well as approving initiatives and tasks for the next year.

Abbreviations for Delivery Partner/s listed in the Action Programme are as follows:

BCU British Canoe Union CTC Cyclists Touring Club

BGS British Geological Survey Defra Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

BHS British Horse Society DVRN Dales to Vale River Network

CFE Campaign for the Farmed Environment EA Environment Agency

CFY Community First Yorkshire (the EYRT East Yorkshire Rivers Trust local Rural Community Council) FC Forestry Commission CLA Country Land and Business Association H&WB Health & Wellbeing Board CoYC City of York Council HDC Hambleton District Council CPRE Campaign to Protect Rural England HE Historic England Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian CSPs Community Safety Partnerships 74 HysE Highways England RDC Ryedale District Council

IDBs Internal Drainage Boards RFS Royal Forestry Society

JAC Joint Advisory Committee RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

LANTRA The Rural Skills Training Agency RVA Ryedale Voluntary Action

LEADER North York Moors, Coast Ryevitalise HLF-funded Ryevitalise Landscape Partnership project & Hills LEADER Local Action Group SBC Scarborough Borough Council LEP Local Enterprise Partnership TCV The Conservation Volunteers LNP Local Nature Partnership TFA Tenant Farmers Association NYLGSP North Yorkshire Local Geological Sites Panel WtY Welcome to Yorkshire NYMNPA North York Moors National Park Authority WT Woodland Trust NYNET The North Yorkshire broadband partnership YAS Yorkshire Agricultural Society NPg Northern Powergrid (the electricity Distribution Network Operator covering the AONB) YDP Yorkshire Derwent Partnership

NT National Trust YFWP Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Partnership

NWP Native Woodland Partnership Yorwoods The Yorkshire Woodlands Initiative

NYCC North Yorkshire County Council YWT Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

NYP North Yorkshire Police Although not specifically mentioned in the table, any PCs Parish Councils Objectives relating to land management will rely on the goodwill and co-operation of farmers, landowners RA The Ramblers

and land managers if they are to be achieved. www.howardianhills.org.uk 75

Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

An Ecosystem Approach NCES1 NCES1.1 Monitor and engage in AONB Unit, Defra, HDC, Lead On-going 1 Gain a better development of the natural capital HE, JAC, NE, NEYEDC, understanding of the approach, both nationally and within NYCC, NYMNPA, RDC AONB’s natural capital the AONB. assets, their quality NCES1.2 Develop/adopt condition AONB Unit, Defra, EA, Lead/Support On-going 1 and their relative roles/ assessment techniques to gain a better FC, HDC, NE, NEYEDC, significance in the provision understanding of the quality of the NYCC, NYMNPA, RDC of ecosystem services AONB’s natural capital assets. NCES1.3 Produce a matrix of AONB Unit, EA, HDC, HE, Lead 2 1 generic types of ‘project’ (e.g. hedge NE, NYCC, RDC planting, agri-environment schemes, land use, in-fill housing development, larger housing developments, habitat management, etc) plotted against the natural capital assets and ecosystem services that the AONB provides. NCES1.4 Produce an ‘opportunity AONB Unit, EA, FC, HDC, Lead 2 onwards 1 map’ to illustrate how the Howardian NE, NEYEDC, NYCC, Hills AONB landscape might become NYMNPA, RDC more resilient to future challenges. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 76 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

NCES2 NCES2.1 Ensure that any Plan, policy AONB Unit, EA, FC, HDC, Lead & Advise On-going 1 Promote sustainability or project that could impact on the HE, NE, NYCC, RDC and support appropriate AONB, whether positively or negatively, projects that benefit the is assessed for compliance with the AONB’s natural capital, AONB Management Plan. ecosystem services and NCES2.2 Use the matrix referred to in AONB Unit, EA, HDC, HE, Lead 2 onwards 1 Special Qualities NCES1.3 above to guide consultation NE, NYCC, RDC responses and assess projects that receive assistance from the JAC. NCES2.3 Ensure that the post-Brexit AONB Unit, CLA, Defra, Lead & Support On-going 1 environmental land management DVRN, EA, HE, JAC, scheme can be used to conserve and NFU, NE, YDP enhance the AONB’s natural capital assets and ecosystem services. NCES3 NCES3.1 Keep up-to-date with climate AONB Unit, EA, FC, HE, Lead On-going 1 Monitor climate change change information and scenarios. HDC, NE, NYCC, RDC trends/scenarios and evaluate potential future NCES3.2 Monitor the potential impacts AONB Unit, EA, FC, Lead On-going 1 impacts on the AONB of climate change on the AONB’s HE, HDC, NE, NYCC, natural capital and ecosystem services. NYMNPA, RDC www.howardianhills.org.uk 77 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

A Rich Heritage Natural Environment NE1 NE1.1 Carry out monitoring surveys AONB Unit, HDC, NE, Support On-going 2 Continually improve on Sites of Importance for Nature NEYEDC, NYCC, RDC knowledge of the Conservation (SINCs). biodiversity resources in NE1.2 Carry out detailed surveys of AONB Unit, HDC, Advise & Encourage On-going 2 the AONB specific Priority Habitats and Priority NE, NEYEDC, NYCC, Species as necessary, to fill identified NYMNPA, RDC gaps in knowledge. NE1.3 Encourage farmers, land AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Support On-going 1 managers and communities to monitor HDC, NE, NFU, NEYEDC, wildlife and report sightings. NYCC, PCs, RDC, RSPB, TCV, YFWP, YWT NE1.4 Gain a better understanding of AONB Unit, NEYEDC, Lead On-going 1 the Priority Habitat area and Priority NYCC Species populations in the AONB, and their trends. NE2 NE2.1 Maintain and regularly AONB Unit, HDC, NE, Advise & Support On-going 1 Ensure that appropriate update a register of key nature NYCC, NEYEDC, RDC, protection is given to the conservation sites. YWT best nature conservation NE2.2 Ensure effective protection HDC, JAC, NE, NYCC, Support On-going 2 sites in the AONB (via designation) for the best nature RDC, YWT conservation sites. NE2.3 Resist development proposals AONB Unit, HDC, NE, Lead & Advise On-going 1 that may adversely affect key nature NYCC, RDC conservation sites. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 78 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

NE3 NE3.1 Ensure that all the AONB’s AONB Unit, CLA, EA, FC, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 Assist with the Natural Environment Priority Sites and HDC, NE, NFU, NWDP, implementation of Special Interest Road Verges are in NYCC, RDC, Ryevitalise, 25YEP/BD2020/WFD/ ‘favourable’ or ‘recovering’ condition. WT, YWT LBAP targets for Priority NE3.2 Encourage the buffering and AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Encourage & Support On-going 1 Habitats in the AONB extension of the AONB’s Natural Defra, EA, FC, NE, NFU, (broadleaved woodland; Environment Priority Sites. NWDP, Ryevitalise, WT, YWT grasslands; wetlands) to NE3.3 Encourage the restoration of AONB Unit, CLA, Defra, Encourage & Support On-going 1 improve condition and habitats that have declined in interest DVRN, EA, EYRT, FC, increase habitat network but still retain significant ecological IDBs, NE, NFU, NWDP, connectivity potential, particularly Plantations on RFS, Ryevitalise, WT, YWT/ Ancient Woodland Sites, rivers and YDP water bodies not in Good Ecological Status and some/parts of the AONB’s Natural Environment Priority Sites. NE3.4 Encourage the creation of new AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 habitat where appropriate, in particular Defra, EA, FC, IDBs, the less-intensive management of LNP, NE, NFU, NWDP, farmland, to create a wider network of NYMNPA, Ryevitalise, WT, complementary semi-natural habitats. YWT NE3.5 Develop and support the AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Lead, Encourage & On-going 1 creation of landscape-scale habitat Defra, DVRN, EA, EYRT/ Support corridors, particularly around the YDP, FC, LNP, NE, Derwent valley and linking into the NFU, NWDP, NYMNPA, NYMNP. Ryevitalise, WT, YWT www.howardianhills.org.uk 79 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

NE4 NE4.1 Ensure that key sites for AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 Assist with the specific species are in ‘favourable’ or DVRN, EA, EYRT/YDP, implementation of 25YEP/ ‘recovering’ condition. HDC, NE, NFU, NYCC, BD2020/LBAP targets for PCs, RDC, WT, YWT Priority Species for which NE4.2 Encourage restoration or AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Encourage On-going 1 the AONB is important creation of sites where significant DVRN, EA, EYRT/YDP, HDC, ecological potential exists. NE, NFU, NYCC, RDC NE4.3 Identify local Target Areas and AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 encourage co-ordinated management DVRN, EA, EYRT/YDP, measures. FC, HDC, LNP, NE, NFU, NYCC, NYMNPA, RDC NE5 NE5.1 Raise awareness of wildlife AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead & Support On-going 1 Assist with the within villages and assist communities RDC, TCV, WT, YWT implementation of 25YEP/ with creating, managing and enhancing BD2020/LBAP targets for biodiversity within and adjacent to wildlife within villages settlements. NE6 NE6.1 Monitor the location AONB Unit, CLA, DVRN, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 Monitor and where and abundance of invasive non-native EA, EYRT/YDP, FC, HDC, species. appropriate support control IDBs, NE, NFU, NYCC, of invasive non-native NYMNPA, RDC, Ryevitalise species in the AONB NE6.2 Carry out targeted partnership AONB Unit, CLA, Defra, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 action to manage invasive non-native DVRN, EA, EYRT/YDP, FC, species where appropriate. HDC, IDBs, NFU, NYCC, NYMNPA, RDC, RFS, Ryevitalise Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 80 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

NE7 NE7.1 Develop a network of Local BGS, HDC, JAC, NEYEDC, Support & Encourage On-going 1 Encourage the Geological Sites (LGS). NEYGT, NYCC, NYLGSP, conservation of important RDC geodiversity sites and NE7.2 Ensure that sites identified as AONB Unit, CLA, HDC, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 features in the AONB LGS are in ‘favourable’ or ‘recovering’ NFU, RDC, NEYGT, NYGP condition. NE7.3 Resist development proposals AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead & Advise On-going 1 that may adversely affect sites RDC designated as LGS. NE8 NE8.1 Assist farmers and land AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Lead & Support On-going 1 Provide assistance managers to enter key sites (particularly Defra, HDC, NE, NFU, to farmers and land the AONB’s Natural Environment NYCC, RDC, TFA managers, to help Priority Sites) and other farmed land them manage their land into appropriate options in the current sympathetically Countryside Stewardship scheme. NE8.2 Ensure that the post-Brexit AONB Unit, CLA, Defra, Lead & Support On-going 1 environmental land management JAC, NFU scheme can be used to conserve and enhance the AONB’s habitats and landscape character. NE8.3 Provide a flexible package of AONB Unit, HDC, JAC, Lead On-going 1 assistance including advice, grant NYCC, RDC aid, direct works and management agreements, as appropriate, to assist land managers with identifying, conserving, enhancing and increasing understanding and enjoyment of biodiversity and geodiversity features on their land, particularly the AONB’s Natural Environment Priority Sites. NE9 NE9.1 Participate in the Local AONB Unit, HDC, LNP, Lead On-going 1 Ensure continued Nature Partnership, to identify and NYCC, NYMNPA, RDC, recognition of the develop opportunities for integrated Ryevitalise www.howardianhills.org.uk Howardian Hills as a projects that achieve LNP and AONB priority area for biodiversity Management Plan objectives. 81 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

Historic Environment HE1 HE1.1 Re-assess the archaeology AONB Unit, HE, NYCC Support & Encourage 2, 3 2 Improve understanding of the AONB to create an up-to-date of the AONB’s historic evidence base, better understand environment and its significant sites and inform a significance research agenda.

HE1.2 Consider preparing a Statement HE, NYCC Support & Encourage 3 2 of Significance for the AONB.

HE1.3 Carry out research projects to Community groups, HE, Support & Encourage On-going 2 address identified gaps in knowledge, NYCC, Universities including: rural industries, prehistoric burials, patterns of medieval settlement & farming, historic parklands. HE1.4 Carry out regular surveys of AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Advise & Support On-going 2 built heritage to identify important or RDC distinctive building groups, individual structures, architectural features and Buildings at Risk. HE1.5 Promote the recording of local AONB Unit, HDC, RDC Support On-going 2 history and traditions. HE1.6 Encourage information to be AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Support & Encourage On-going 1 recorded in the North Yorkshire Historic RDC Environment Record. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 82 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

HE2 HE2.1 Resist development AONB Unit, HDC, HE, Lead & Advise On-going 1 Conserve and enhance the proposals that would be likely to harm RDC significance of the AONB’s the significance of the AONB’s historic environment heritage assets. HE2.2 Support appropriate Enabling AONB Unit, HDC, HE, Support & Encourage On-going 1 Development where this would NYCC, RDC conserve and enhance the AONB’s most significant heritage assets. HE2.3 Consider introducing Article 4 HDC, JAC, RDC Support & Encourage On-going 2 Directions for Conservation Areas in the AONB, to preserve historic character and prevent incremental damaging change.

HE2.4 Continue the Monument AONB Unit, HDC, HE, Lead 1-3 1 Management Scheme, to consolidate NYCC, RDC improvements to Scheduled Monument condition and remove Monuments from the Heritage at Risk Register. HE2.5 Prepare conservation/ AONB Unit, HE, NYCC Support & Encourage On-going 2 management plans for all designed landscapes. HE2.6 Assist farmers and land AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Lead & Support On-going 1 managers to enter key archaeological Defra, HDC, HE, NE, NFU, features (particularly the AONB’s NYCC, RDC, TFA Historic Environment Priority Sites) and other heritage assets into appropriate options in the current Countryside Stewardship scheme. HE2.7 Ensure that the post-Brexit AONB Unit, CLA, Defra, Lead & Support On-going 1 environmental land management HE, JAC, NFU scheme can be used to conserve and enhance the AONB’s historic environment features and landscapes. www.howardianhills.org.uk 83 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

HE2 HE2.8 Provide a flexible package of AONB Unit, HDC, HE, Lead On-going 1 Continued... assistance including advice, grant JAC, NYCC, RDC aid, direct works and management agreements, as appropriate, to assist land managers with identifying, conserving, enhancing and increasing understanding and enjoyment of historic environment features on their land, particularly the AONB’s Historic Environment Priority Sites. HE2.9 Monitor developments in AONB Unit, HDC, HE, Lead On-going 2 the understanding of potential NYCC, RDC climate change impacts on historic environment features. HE3 HE3.1 Publish criteria and provide HDC, HE, JAC, RDC Support & Encourage 2, 3 2 Help local people to assistance to enable local communities identify the non-designated to identify the non-designated heritage heritage assets which assets which contribute to the contribute to the character character of their area. of their area and support HE3.2 Support the development of AONB Unit, HDC, HE, Support & Encourage 3 onwards 2 the development of site-based management strategies to RDC management strategies conserve and enhance important non- for their conservation and designated heritage assets identified by enhancement local communities. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 84 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

Living and Working in The Howardian Hills

Local Communities LC1 LC1.1 Make representations to NAAONB, JAC, NYCC Lead On-going 1 Support the retention Government on relevant national rural of village services and issues, via the NAAONB. the identification and LC1.2 Resist policy or development AONB Unit, CFY, HDC, Lead On-going 1 implementation of proposals that may adversely affect key NYCC, RDC projects that maintain and village services. enhance village character, sustainability, economy and LC1.3 Work as appropriate with partner AONB Unit, CFY, CSPs, Lead & Advise On-going 1 sense of community organisations to develop innovative HDC, H&WB, NYCC, RDC, projects for delivering services to local RVA communities.

LC1.4 Support communities in CFY, HDC, JAC, NYCC, Encourage & Support On-going 1 developing beneficial projects e.g. via RDC, RVA new or reviewed Parish Plans. LC1.5 Implement projects that support AONB Unit, CFY, HDC, Encourage & Support On-going 1 the character, sustainability, economy NYCC, NYP, RDC or sense of community of villages. LC2 LC2.1 Work with communities, local AONB Unit, CLA, HDC, Lead & Encourage On-going 2 Encourage voluntary and groups, businesses and land managers NEYEDC, NFU, NYCC, community engagement to encourage partnership action for PCs, RDC, Schools, TCV, with the local natural and identifying, monitoring, managing, Volunteers, YWT historic environment of raising awareness of, accessing the AONB and enjoying the natural and historic environment. www.howardianhills.org.uk 85 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

Agriculture AG1 AG1.1 Assist farmers and land AONB Unit, CFE, CLA, Lead & Support On-going 1 Encourage the managers to enter key sites (particularly Defra, HDC, HE, NE, NFU, development and uptake the AONB’s Natural and Historic NYCC, RDC, Ryevitalise,

of Government support Environment Priority Sites) and other TFA mechanisms that promote farmed land into appropriate options sustainable farm and rural in the current Countryside business development Stewardship scheme. AG1.2 Make representations to CLA, JAC, LEP, NAAONB, Lead 1 1 Government, either individually and/ NFU, NYCC, TFA or via the NAAONB, to ensure that a far-sighted and integrated rural support mechanism and environmental land management scheme emerges from the Brexit process. AG1.3 Make representations to CLA, HDC, JAC, NFU, Lead On-going 1 ensure that the Howardian Hills AONB NYCC, RDC, TFA remains a priority area for funding from Government agencies. AG1.4 Consider bidding for a Pilot AONB Unit, CLA, EA, JAC, Lead 1-4 1 of the new environmental land NE, NFU, NYMNPA, TFA management scheme to run in the AONB, possibly in partnership with the North York Moors National Park. AG2 AG2.1 Provide specialist advice and AONB Unit, HDC, Lead On-going 1 Support farm businesses in ‘sign-posting’ on conservation grants NYMNPA, RDC, YFWP the AONB by providing advice and countryside management within and appropriate assistance the AONB. AG2.2 Provide a flexible package of AONB Unit, HDC, JAC, Lead On-going 1 assistance including advice, grant NYCC, RDC aid, direct works and management agreements, as appropriate, to assist land managers with identifying,

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian conserving, enhancing and increasing understanding and enjoyment of 86 landscape features on their land. Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

AG3 AG3.1 Support the construction of AONB Unit, CLA, CPRE, Lead & Advise On-going 1 Ensure high standards of new farm buildings and infrastructure HDC, NFU, RDC design and careful siting of where these follow the principles set all new farm buildings and out in the AONB New Farm Buildings & infrastructure Infrastructure Design Guidance. Forestry and Woodland FW1 FW1.1 Ensure that all proposals take FC Support & Encourage On-going 1 Ensure that all woodland account of the Special Qualities of the felling, management AONB. and creation proposals recognise the Special Qualities of the AONB FW1.2 Use consultation procedures AONB Unit Lead On-going 1 to ensure that all proposals are in accordance with Management Plan Objectives. FW2 FW2.1 Encourage owners and AONB Unit, FC, NWP, RFS Support & Encourage On-going 2 Encourage a multi- managers to prepare FC-approved objective approach to Woodland Management Plans for their woodland management in woodlands. the AONB FW3 FW3.1 Keep up-to-date with AONB Unit, FC, HDC, Lead On-going 1 Monitor and mitigate the information on invasive woodland pests NYCC, RDC, NWP incidence and impacts of and diseases, in particular H. fraxineus, pests and diseases in the P. ramorum and muntjac deer. AONB FW3.2 Encourage vigilance and AONB Unit, CLA, FC, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 reporting of suspected sightings. HDC, NEYEDC, NFU, NYCC, RDC, RFS, WT FW3.3 Deliver appropriate mitigation AONB Unit, CLA, FC, Support On-going 1 strategies to manage the impacts of HDC, NFU, NYCC, RDC, pests and diseases. RFS, WT www.howardianhills.org.uk 87 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

FW4 FW4.1 Promote the incorporation of AONB Unit, FC, HDC, Advise & Encourage On-going 2 Encourage the use of natural regeneration of appropriate NYCC, NWP, RDC trees and shrubs of native tree and shrub species into climate-appropriate restocking plans. provenance when planting FW4.2 Promote the use of climate- AONB Unit, FC, HDC, Advise & Encourage On-going 1 or restocking, to develop appropriate provenance nursery plants NYCC, NWP, RDC future resilience when restocking. FW4.3 Encourage local forest nurseries AONB Unit, Castle Support & Encourage On-going 2 to make adequate quantities of local Howard, NWP, RDC provenance material available. FW5 FW5.1 Use consultation procedures AONB Unit, FC, HDC, Advise On-going 1 Encourage new areas to advise on the siting and design of NWP, RDC of woodland where new areas of woodland, within the these would conserve guidance provided by the Landscape or enhance the Special Management & Priority Sites section of Qualities of the AONB, the AONB Management Plan. enhance habitat or natural capital networks, or provide ecosystem services benefits FW6 FW6.1 Encourage the use of timber AONB Unit, LEP, RFS, Support & Encourage On-going 2 Support the continued from the AONB in local industries e.g. Yorwoods development of local and furniture making, traditional building regional markets for timber restoration, etc. and woodland products Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 88 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

FW7 FW7.1 Assist owners and managers to AONB Unit, CLA, FC, NE, Support & Encourage On-going 1 Encourage the enter their woodlands into appropriate NFU, NWP, RFS, WT development and uptake options in the current Countryside of grant and advice Stewardship scheme. mechanisms that achieve FW7.2 Ensure that the post-Brexit AONB Unit, CLA, Defra, Lead & Support On-going 1 AONB Management Plan environmental land management HE, JAC, NFU objectives for woodland scheme can be used to assist with management and creation priority woodland management work within the AONB. FW7.3 Provide a flexible package of AONB Unit, HDC, JAC, Lead On-going 1 assistance including advice, grant NYCC, RDC aid, direct works and management agreements, as appropriate, to assist land managers with identifying, conserving, enhancing and increasing understanding and enjoyment of landscape features on their land. FW7.4 Support the continuation of the FC, JAC, NE, NYMNPA, Support & Encourage On-going 1 Native Woodland Project. RFS, WT, YWT Development and Rural Economy DRE1 DRE1.1 Ensure that all relevant Plans, AONB Unit, Defra, HDC, Lead & Advise On-going 1 Ensure that all new Strategies and Policies recognise, HM Government, NE, development is compatible protect and, where appropriate, enhance NYCC, RDC with the aims of AONB the Special Qualities of the AONB and its designation and has regard setting. to social, economic and DRE1.2 Maintain effective consultation AONB Unit, HDC, JAC, Lead & Advise On-going 1 environmental sustainability arrangements between the Local NYCC, RDC Planning Authorities and the Joint Advisory Committee. www.howardianhills.org.uk 89 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

DRE2 DRE2.1 Ensure consistent high-quality AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Advise On-going 1 Encourage high standards rural design standards covering the RDC in both the design of whole AONB, including building design, new development within materials and green infrastructure. the AONB and the DRE2.2 Encourage communities to AONB Unit, HDC, PCs, Encourage & Support On-going 2 management of existing prepare Village Design Statements, to CFY, RDC buildings/features guide the design of future development. DRE2.3 Provide guidance on sustainable AONB Unit, HDC, RDC Support On-going 2 building restoration techniques, including energy conservation measures. DRE2.4 Consider undertaking Community groups, HDC, Encourage & Support On-going 2 appraisals to enable the designation PCs, RDC of new Conservation Areas and the enhancement of existing ones. DRE3 DRE3.1 Encourage local enhancement AONB Unit, HDC, RDC Lead & Encourage On-going 2 Encourage the mitigation works to mitigate the impact of existing of intrusive features, visually intrusive developments. to enhance the local DRE3.2 Continue liaison arrangements AONB Unit, HDC, NPg, Lead & Advise On-going 1 landscape character and with Northern Powergrid, to prioritise NYCC, RDC tranquillity of the AONB and implement the undergrounding of electricity cables in prominent locations. DRE3.3 Encourage Openreach AONB Unit, NAAONB, Lead & Encourage On-going 1 to underground telephone cables NPg, Openreach in prominent locations, primarily in conjunction with electricity cable undergrounding. DRE3.4 Resist developments that AONB Unit, CPRE, HDC, Lead & Advise On-going 1 increase the impact of light or noise NYCC, NYMNPA, RDC pollution on the AONB or its setting. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 90 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

DRE4 DRE4.1 Resist any minerals exploration CPRE, HDC, JAC, NYCC, Lead & Advise On-going 1 Support appropriate or production proposals which are RDC minerals-working not compatible with AONB Purposes proposals which conserve of Designation or Management Plan and enhance the Special Objectives. Qualities of the AONB DRE4.2 Support appropriate proposals AONB Unit, BGS, HE, Advise & Support On-going 1 for small-scale quarrying of stone for HDC, NYCC, RDC local uses and to assist with repairs to heritage assets. DRE4.3 Safeguard/obtain supplies of AONB Unit, NYCC Lead On-going 2 suitable local stone for drystone wall restoration. DRE5 DRE5.1 Provide advice and guidance AONB Unit, HDC, RDC Lead & Support On-going 1 Support appropriate on the type of renewable energy renewable energy technologies and installations likely to installations that do not be appropriate in the AONB. have adverse impacts on DRE5.2 Support appropriate proposals AONB Unit, CPRE, HDC, Advise & Support On-going 1 the Special Qualities of the that follow the ‘Four Rights’ – NYCC, RDC AONB Technology, Scale, Place and Design. DRE5.3 Promote the benefits of AONB Unit, HDC, RDC Lead On-going 2 appropriate renewable energy developments and demonstrate examples of ‘best practice’ projects. www.howardianhills.org.uk 91 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

DRE6 DRE6.1 Promote the provision of AONB Unit, HDC, Support On-going 1 Support rural business, accessible ICT, business and rural LANTRA, LEP, NYCC, local employment, skills advice, training, courses, RDC, YAS training & skills and farm demonstrations, etc. diversification activities DRE6.2 Encourage businesses to AONB Unit, LEP, HDC, Encourage & Support On-going 1 that do not have adverse develop appropriate new enterprises RDC impacts on the Special within or close to the AONB. Qualities of the AONB DRE6.3 Maintain a positive approach AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead & Advise On-going 1 to planning control for appropriate farm RDC diversification and rural employment projects. DRE6.4 Support appropriate proposals AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Advise & Support On-going 1 to re-use traditional and modern farm RDC buildings, where their historic and wildlife value can be safeguarded or the AONB landscape enhanced. DRE6.5 Support appropriate proposals AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Advise & Support On-going 1 for developing new workspace within RDC the AONB. DRE7 DRE7.1 Support the provision of AONB Unit, CPRE, HDC, Advise & Support On-going 1 Encourage the high-speed broadband and mobile LEP, NYCC, NYNET, RDC expansion of modern phone infrastructure that does not telecommunications have adverse impacts on the Special infrastructure, whilst Qualities of the AONB. safeguarding the Special Qualities and tranquillity of the AONB DRE8 DRE8.1 Maintain up-to-date HDC, RDC Support On-going 1 Encourage the increased information on housing needs within the provision of local needs/ AONB. affordable housing in the DRE8.2 Promote the potential benefits AONB Unit, HDC, RDC Lead & Support On-going 2 AONB of local needs housing to AONB

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian farmers, landowners and local communities. 92 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

Roads, Transport and Traffic Management RTT1 RTT1.1 Support appropriate proposals AONB Unit, HysE, LEP, Encourage & Support On-going 2 Encourage solutions to for full-movement interchange NYCC, RDC specific traffic routing arrangements at the A64/B1257 issues in and around junction. the AONB, discourage RTT1.2 Monitor freight movement AONB Unit, Communities, Support & Encourage On-going 2 through-traffic and ensure issues in the AONB, to identify any HDC, NYCC, RDC that other traffic uses the patterns in HGV usage. most appropriate route RTT1.3 Encourage measures to AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Advise & Support On-going 2 address any issues raised during freight RDC monitoring.

RTT2 RTT2.1 In line with the Road Safety CSPs, NYCC, NYP Encourage On-going 1 Support initiatives to Partnership speed management monitor and address traffic protocol, carry out speed-checks and driver behaviour issues in identified locations to investigate in the AONB reported issues. RTT2.2 Support local events that AONB Unit, CFY, HDC, Encourage & Support On-going 2 examine and address traffic and driver NYCC, NYP, RDC behaviour issues, in identified problem locations. www.howardianhills.org.uk 93 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

RTT3 RTT3.1 Identify transport service, AONB Unit, Communities, Encourage & Support On-going 1 Promote the use of infrastructure and accessibility CFY, HDC, NYCC, RDC sustainable modes of improvements. transport as alternatives to RTT3.2 Develop and implement Communities, CFY, HDC, Encourage On-going 1 the private car identified measures as appropriate. NYCC, RDC RTT3.3 Promote the availability of AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead & Support On-going 2 alternative transport services in AONB NYMNPA, RDC literature, in local villages and at visitor attractions. RTT3.4 Ensure that implementation AONB Unit, NYCC Advise On-going 1 of the Local Transport Plan 4 for North Yorkshire contributes to the implementation of AONB Management Plan Objectives, where appropriate. RTT4 RTT4.1 Continue liaison arrangements AONB Unit, NYCC Lead & Encourage On-going 1 Maintain the existing rural between the Joint Advisory Committee character of the road and local highway authority (and its network in the AONB agents) for all proposals in the AONB. RTT4.2 Promote the usage of the AONB Unit, NYCC Lead 1 Howardian Hills Area Profile by On-going relevant teams within the local highway authority. RTT4.3 Identify examples of road sign AONB Unit, HysE, NYCC Lead & Encourage On-going 2 clutter and seek improvements.

RTT4.4 Ensure that the specific AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead & Support 1 1 locations of historic roadside furniture RDC are recorded on the NYCC Highway Asset Management System. RTT4.5 Ensure that traditional direction AONB Unit, HDC, HE, Lead & Support On-going 1 signs, mileposts and other historic HysE, NYCC, RDC structures within and adjacent to the

Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian highway are appropriately maintained and managed. 94 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

RTT5 RTT5.1 Ensure that improvements CoYC, JAC, HysE, LEP, Support On-going 1 Support proposals for to the A64 (to enhance road safety, NYCC, RDC, SBC improvement of the A64 accessibility and journey-time reliability) Trunk Road through have regard to the Purposes of the AONB, subject to Designation and Special Qualities these being fully justified of the AONB. and sensitive to local RTT5.2 Monitor future proposals AONB Unit Advise On-going 1 characteristics. Proposals and provide comments to Highways should aim to minimise England, North Yorkshire County environmental impact, Council and Ryedale District Council. make maximum use of the existing road alignment and utilise new techniques such as ‘green bridges’ where possible. www.howardianhills.org.uk 95 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

Enjoying the AONB

Recreation, Access and Tourism RAT1 RAT1.1 Use planning policies to AONB Unit, HDC, RDC Advise & Support On-going 1 Encourage sustainable support appropriate recreational recreational activities that business developments. do not conflict with the Special Qualities of the RAT1.2 Monitor the levels and AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead & Encourage On-going 2 AONB sustainability of recreational activities RDC within the AONB. RAT2 RAT2.1 Work with local partner AONB Unit, CoYC, HDC, Lead & Support On-going 1 Promote the attractions organisations to promote sustainable LEP, NYCC, NYMNPA, and Special Qualities of tourism and recreational activities in the RDC the AONB to encourage Howardian Hills. sustainable use and RAT2.2 Develop and implement AONB Unit, HDC, H&WB, Lead & Support On-going 1 support the local visitor initiatives to encourage Under- NYCC, RA, RDC economy Represented Groups to enjoy the AONB. RAT3 RAT3.1 Ensure that path furniture in AONB Unit, CLA, NFU, Encourage & Support On-going 1 Maintain and improve both the AONB is appropriately maintained NYCC the condition and network and improved. of Public Rights of Way in RAT3.2 Liaise with local landowners AONB Unit, CLA, NFU, Encourage & Support On-going 1 the AONB to quickly rectify identified path NYCC condition problems, including seasonal overgrowth and ploughing/cropping. RAT3.3 Implement path improvements, AONB Unit, FC, HDC, Advise & Support On-going 2 particularly via management measures NYCC, RDC such as ride-widening and the use of alternative routes. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 96 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

RAT3 RAT3.4 Ensure the correct BHS, NYCC, RA Encourage & Support On-going 1 Continued... identification of all Public Rights of Way routes in the AONB on the Definitive Map by 2026. RAT3.5 Bring ‘missing routes’ and AONB Unit, BHS, HDC, Lead & Support On-going 1 ‘route status inconsistencies’ to the NYCC, RA, RDC attention of the local highway authority and lobby for action. RAT3.6 Support appropriate Public AONB Unit, BHS, NYCC, Advise & Support On-going 2 Rights of Way diversion, creation and RA extinguishment orders/agreements in response to particular local issues or to improve the local network. RAT3.7 Encourage the creation of AONB Unit, BHS, HDC, Advise & Support On-going 1 new access routes/areas where the NYCC, RA, RDC Public Rights of Way network is less developed. RAT4 RAT4.1 Carry out small-scale AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead On-going 1 Carry out recreational management works as necessary, RDC management measures as particularly on sites used for car parking appropriate, to enhance and at the AONB’s Recreation Priority enjoyment by the public Sites. and address local issues RAT4.2 Use planning and other policy AONB Unit, BCU, RDC Advise & Support On-going 1 controls to discourage unsustainable recreational use of the Derwent valley. RAT4.3 Support low-key countryside AONB Unit, FC Advise & Support On-going 2 management works to improve recreation management on Forestry Commission land. RAT4.4 Encourage the development/ AONB Unit, HDC, NYP, Lead On-going 1 use of designated village parking areas PCs, RDC, Village Halls and toilet facilities by recreational visitors. RAT4.5 Monitor the levels of litter and AONB Unit, HDC, RDC Advise & Support On-going 1

fly-tipping within the AONB and take www.howardianhills.org.uk action as appropriate. 97 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

RAT5 RAT5.1 Identify appropriate routes, AONB Unit, BHS, HDC, Lead & Support On-going 2 Develop routes within the linked to public transport where NYCC, RA, RDC AONB for different user possible. groups and provide self- RAT5.2 Publish guide leaflets and AONB Unit, BHS, HDC, Lead & Support On-going 1 guided information information in a variety of formats as H&WB, NYCC, RA, RDC appropriate, to encourage usage. Awareness and Promotion AP1 AP1.1 Maintain the existing ‘gateway AONB Unit, HysE, LEP, Lead On-going 1 Maintain awareness and signs’ on roads entering the AONB and NYCC understanding of the seek to install signs on the A64. AONB designation, its AP1.2 Provide information on the AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead On-going 1 importance and the role work of the JAC via various publicity RDC and work of the Joint mechanisms, as appropriate. Advisory Committee AP1.3 Maintain a public profile in the AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead On-going 1 local media and at appropriate local RDC events/shows. AP2 AP2.1 Publish and distribute AONB Unit, Communities, Lead On-going 1 Promote awareness of the information about the AONB and HDC, Local businesses, Special Qualities of the its Special Qualities, for example RDC, WtY AONB at popular visitor destinations, in community buildings, in visitor accommodation and on the AONB website. AP2.2 Deliver guided walks, talks AONB Unit, CLA, EA, FC, Lead & Support On-going 1 and demonstrations as appropriate HE, LEP, LNP, NE, NFU, to explain the Special Qualities of NYMNPA, RFS, TFA, YAS the AONB and promote sustainable management techniques. AP2.3 Continue a programme of AONB Unit, NYCC, Lead & Support On-going 1 activities with local schools, young NYMNPA, Ryevitalise, YAS, people and communities. YWT Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 98 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority Putting the Plan into Action Implementation IM1 IM1.1 Seek appropriate sources of AONB Unit, JAC, HDC, Lead On-going 1 Consolidate and develop funding and assistance to implement NYCC, RDC funding and partnership Management Plan Objectives. mechanisms to achieve IM1.2 Continue and expand JAC, HDC, NYCC, Lead On-going 1 Management Plan partnership arrangements with the NYMNPA, RDC objectives North York Moors National Park Authority, as appropriate. IM1.3 Involve volunteers wherever AONB Unit, Community Lead On-going 1 possible, to assist with the delivery of Groups, HDC, H&WB, NT, appropriate tasks and activities. NYCC, PCs, RDC, YWT IM2 IM2.1 Monitor the business AONB Unit, HDC, JAC, Lead On-going 1 Ensure that the AONB requirements and model of the AONB NYCC, RDC Partnership has a robust partnership and identify improvements business model that is as appropriate. resilient to future challenges IM2.2 Incorporate suggested JAC Lead Annual 1 improvements into the annual Action Programme and Budget approval processes. Monitoring MN1 MN1.1 Report annual progress AONB Unit, EA, FC, HDC, Lead Annual 1 Monitor the performance of on achievement of Management HE, NE, NYCC, RDC the AONB partnership and Plan Objectives to the JAC, AONB AONB unit Partnership and public. MN1.2 Monitor the performance of JAC Lead Annual 1 the AONB Partnership using the Defra/ NAAONB Key Performance Indicators. www.howardianhills.org.uk 99 Objective Action Delivery/Partners Role of JAC Frequency/Year Priority

MN2 MN2.1 Develop a robust mechanism AONB Unit, HDC, HE, Lead 1-3 1 Monitor the condition of for assessing the Condition of the NEYEDC, NYCC, RDC the AONB locally designated and non-designated Priority Sites identified in the Management Plan. MN2.2 Update the data for the AONB Unit, HDC, NYCC, Lead 4 1 AONB Condition Indicators during RDC Management Plan review in 2023. MN2.3 Update the ‘State of the AONB’ AONB Unit, Communities, Lead 4 1 Report during Management Plan review HDC, NYCC, PCs, RDC in 2023. MN2.4 Repeat the ‘fixed-point AONB Unit, Volunteers Lead 3, 4 1 photography’ monitoring of visual landscape change. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 100 Data source copyright statements

Where statistics are credited in the Management Plan as Natural England, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency or Historic England, these are supplied under the Framework for Monitoring Environmental Outcomes in Protected Landscapes project, to further the statutory purposes of National Parks, AONBs and the Broads. They are subject to the terms of use of the Natural England Open Government Licence, as published at: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/open-government-licence-NE_tcm6-30744.pdf

In addition: • Natural England statistics are © Natural England copyright 2018. • Forestry Commission statistics are © Forestry Commission copyright [2017]. • Environment Agency statistics are supplied under the terms of the Environment Agency Standard Notice. Contains Environment Agency information © Environment Agency and database right. www.howardianhills.org.uk 101 Glossary

Term used Definition / Explanation Affordable housing Low-cost housing for sale or rent, often from a housing association, provided to meet the needs of local people who cannot afford accommodation through the open market. Agri-environment A generic term for schemes operated by Defra, designed to encourage environmentally friendly farming and public understanding and enjoyment schemes of the countryside. Ancient Semi-Natural An ancient woodland site, believed to have had continuous woodland cover since 1600AD, composed principally of native tree species that have Woodland (ASNW) not obviously been planted. Ancient tree An ‘ancient’ tree will display many of the wildlife and habitat features of a ‘veteran’ tree but is in the third and final stage of its life. It will have passed beyond full maturity and the crown will be reducing in size, shedding redundant parts and accumulating dead wood. Area of Outstanding An area designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 where the primary purpose is the conservation and Natural Beauty (AONB) enhancement of natural beauty including flora, fauna, geology and landscape. Biodiversity The common term for "biological diversity", the variety of life and the natural processes of which living things are a part. The term includes living organisms, the genetic differences between them and the communities in which they occur. (Local) Biodiversity A plan, programme or strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Biodiversity Action Plans are a key means by which the Action Plans ((L)BAPs) UK Government commitment to the Convention on Biological Diversity at Rio de Janeiro (1992) is to be met. Brexit The colloquial term for the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union on 29th March 2019. Climate change The anticipated impact of modern human activity on the global environment, leading to a potential rise in temperatures in the UK, with additional environmental consequences. Common Agricultural European Union-wide policy that supports agriculture through price support, market management and measures to improve the agriculture Policy (CAP) industry. The UK will no longer be part of the CAP following the end of the Brexit EU Implementation Period, scheduled at the time of writing (January 2019) as December 2020. Condition monitoring Monitoring the condition of the AONB to assess changes over time. Differs from performance monitoring that monitors completion of actions, etc within the Plan. Conservation Area Defined by Section 69 of the Planning (Listed Buildings & Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as an area of special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which is desirable to preserve or enhance. Conventional Oil and gas where the reservoir is in porous rock such as sandstone or limestone and can be extracted using traditional drilling techniques. hydrocarbons Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 102 Term used Definition / Explanation Countryside and Contains measures to improve public access to the open countryside and registered common land while recognising the legitimate interests of Rights of Way (CRoW) those who own and manage the land concerned; it amends the law relating to rights of way; it amends the law relating to nature conservation Act (2000) by strengthening protection for Sites of Special Scientific Interest including tougher penalties and by providing extra powers for the prosecution of wildlife crime; it provides a basis for the conservation of biological diversity; and it provides for better management of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the requirement for local authorities to produce AONB management plans every five years and places a duty on public bodies to have regard to the purposes of AONB designation. Department for Central government body with the aim of sustainable development, which means a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations Environment, Food to come, including: a better environment at home and internationally, and sustainable use of natural resources; economic prosperity through and Rural Affairs sustainable farming, fishing, food, water and other industries that meet consumers' requirements; thriving economies and communities in rural (Defra) areas and a countryside for all to enjoy. Ecosystem services Can be simply described as the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include: provisioning services (e.g. food and water); regulating services (e.g. flood and disease control); cultural services (e.g. spiritual and cultural benefits); and supporting services (e.g. nutrient cycling that maintains conditions for life on Earth). Environmental land The generic term for a scheme operated by Defra, designed to encourage environmentally friendly farming and public understanding and management scheme enjoyment of the countryside. Often used to refer to the anticipated ‘next-generation’ of agri-environment scheme operating in the UK. Geomorphology The branch of physical geography which deals with the form of the Earth, the general configuration of its surface and the distribution of land and water, etc. together with the natural processes that contribute to the evolution of landscapes. Geodiversity The variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, soils, landforms and natural processes. Green infrastructure A network of multi-functional green space, both new and existing, both rural and urban, which supports the natural and ecological processes and is integral to the health and quality of life of sustainable communities. Green Infrastructure includes parks, open spaces, playing fields, woodlands, allotments and private gardens. Habitat A place in which a particular plant or animal lives, or the wider interaction of plants and animals that are found together. Heritage asset A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. Heritage assets include both designated heritage assets and also assets identified by the local planning authority (including via local listing). Historic environment All aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and landscaped and planted or managed flora. www.howardianhills.org.uk 103 Term used Definition / Explanation Historic Parks and Parks and Gardens containing historic features dating from 1939 or earlier and Registered by Historic England in three Grades, as with historic Gardens buildings. Invasive non-native Plant or animal species that have either been transported accidentally through human activity, or purposefully introduced, from their historically species known native ranges into new ecosystems where they did not evolve, and which subsequently have adverse impacts on native flora and fauna. Landscape An area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors. Landscape Non-statutory document setting out the special qualities of the landscape, tracing its evolution and forces for change. assessment Landscape character A distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements in the landscape that makes one landscape different from another, rather than better or worse. Landscape character A unique individual geographical area in which landscape types occur, which share generic characteristics with other areas of the same type but area have their own particular identity. Landscape character The process of identifying and describing variation in the character of the landscape, and using this information to assist in managing change. assessment (LCA) The assessment seeks to identify and explain the unique combination of elements and features that make landscapes distinctive. The process results in the production of a Landscape Character Assessment (also shortened to LCA). Landscape feature A prominent eye-catching element e.g. a wooded hill top or church spire. Listed Building A building of architectural or historical importance, graded according to its merit (I, II*, II) and subject to special controls. Local Authority An administrative unit of local government, specifically any body listed in Section 270 of the Local Government Act 1972 or Section 21(1) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Local distinctiveness Essentially the sum of points of connection between the place and the person. It is an expression of how landscapes are valued as places which have a distinctiveness and significance that communities cherish as their own and seek to find alternatives to the spread of uniformity in the countryside. Local Enterprise Partnerships between local authorities and businesses. They aim to determine local economic priorities and undertake activities to drive Partnership (LEP) economic growth and create jobs. Local Geological Site A site which is important due to notable geodiversity. LGS’ form part of a wider national network of non-statutory locally valued sites and are (LGS) generally administered by local authorities in partnership with conservation organisations. Local Highway The Highways Act 1980 defines a Highway Authority as the body responsible for maintaining all highways maintainable at public expense and Authority keeping them free of obstruction, including responsibility for public rights of way. The Local Highway Authority in the Howardian Hills AONB is North Yorkshire County Council. Local Nature A partnership of a broad range of local organisations, businesses and people who aim to manage and bring about improvements in their local Partnership (LNP) natural environment. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 104 Term used Definition / Explanation Local Planning The Local Authority, normally the local borough or district council, which is empowered by law to exercise planning functions. Authority (LPA) Local Transport Plan A plan produced by the Local Highway Authority setting out future proposals for transport infrastructure over the following 5 years and attracting possible Government funding. Manufactured capital The entire physical man-made stock, produced and reproduced by society. It comprises buildings; transport, energy, water and waste infrastructure; industrial production facilities; and all durable production and consumer goods such as machinery, cars, aeroplanes and computers. National Character Developed by Natural England, these divide England into 159 distinct natural areas. Each is defined by a unique combination of landscape, Area (NCA) biodiversity, geodiversity and cultural and economic activity. Their boundaries follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment. Natural capital The elements of nature that directly or indirectly produce value to people, including ecosystems, species, freshwater, land, minerals, the air and oceans, as well as natural processes and functions. Natural capital is referred to in terms of assets, and any capital asset has the capacity to produce various goods and services. Natural capital is those assets provided by nature, which have the capacity to generate goods and services. Natural capital can be regarded as the source of all other types of capital: whether manufactured, financial, human or social. Natural England The non-departmental public body of the UK government responsible for ensuring that England's natural environment, including its land, flora and fauna, freshwater and marine environments, geology and soils, are protected and improved. It also has a responsibility to help people enjoy, understand and access the natural environment. National Planning Published by the Department of Communities and Local Government in March 2012 and updated in July 2018, for use in England. The first Policy Framework NPPF replaced nearly thirty Planning Policy Statements (PPS) and Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG) running to over 1,300 pages. (NPPF) Parkland A large piece of ground usually comprising woodland, pasture and formal gardens, currently or once attached to a country house or mansion. Permanent pasture Any pasture composed of perennial or self-seeding annual plants kept indefinitely for grazing. Permissive path A route where the landowner has granted permission for public use, usually for foot access but occasionally for horse riders, but which is not dedicated as a public right of way. Planted (or Plantations Ancient woodland sites in which the former tree cover has been replaced, often with non-native trees. PAWS often retain important ancient on) Ancient Woodland woodland features including characteristic flora, fauna and archaeology. Sites (PAWS) Priority Habitats Habitats and species recognised as being of Principal Importance for the conservation of biodiversity under Section 41 of the Natural and Species Environment & Rural Communities Act 2006. www.howardianhills.org.uk 105 Term used Definition / Explanation Public Right of Way A route where the public has a right to walk, and in some cases ride horses, bicycles, motorcycles, wheeled carriages or drive motor vehicles, (PRoW) which is designated either a footpath, a bridleway, Restricted Byway, Carriage or Cart Road used mainly as a Footpath or Bridleway or a byway open to all traffic (BOAT). These are shown on the ‘Definitive Map’ held by the Local Highway Authority. A route may also have higher rights e.g. be a County Road or other Highway; or simply be incorrectly signed or waymarked and/or have private rights of access. Public transport Methods of transporting passengers including buses, trains and taxis but not cars. Renewable energy Energy generated from resources that are non-fossil fuels, and are unlimited, rapidly replenished or naturally renewable such as wind, water, sun, wave and refuse. Thus the technology includes wind turbines, wave generators, biofuels, solar power, wood fuel burners and boilers, etc. Scheduled Monument A structure identified by Historic England for protection under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. (SM) Setting The surroundings in which a valued area, site, building or feature is experienced. Its extent is not fixed and may change as the asset and its surroundings evolve. Site of Special Area identified by Natural England under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 for protection by reason of the rarity of its Scientific Interest nature conservation, wildlife features or geological interest. (SSSI) Sites and Monument A database of sites of archaeological interest and potential within a particular area, usually a county. Record (SMR) Special Area of Site designated according to the Habitats Directive 93/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora. SAC defines a Conservation (SAC) site of Community Importance designated by member states through a statutory, administrative and/or contractual act, where the necessary conservation measures are applied for the maintenance or restoration, at a favourable conservation status, of the natural habitats and/or the populations of the species for which the site is designated. All SACs in the UK are SSSIs. Sites of Importance for A site which is important due to the presence of notable species or an important habitat. SINCs form part of a wider national network of non- Nature Conservation statutory locally valued wildlife sites and are generally administered by local authorities in partnership with conservation organisations. (SINC) Special Qualities The unique set of characteristic features/landscape character for which an area of countryside is deemed worthy of designation as an AONB or National Park. The Special Qualities of the Howardian Hills AONB are fully described on pp16-17 of the Management Plan. Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Howardian 106 Term used Definition / Explanation Statutory Undertaker Statutory undertakers are organisations authorised by statute or licensed by central government to perform various public undertakings. Section 98 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 defines a statutory undertaker as any person authorised by any enactment to carry out any railway, light railway, tramway, road transport, canal, inland navigation, dock, harbour or pier undertaking or any relevant airport operator. The New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 defines as Statutory Undertakers all utilities namely electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable telephone, television and other telecommunications companies. STEAM A tourism economic impact analysis model owned and operated by Global Tourism Solutions (UK) Ltd (GTS). Using local supply and performance data, in conjunction with a range of multipliers and data from tourism research, STEAM generates estimates of the volume of visitor activity (measured as visitor numbers and visitor days) coupled with direct and indirect/induced economic and employment benefits arising from visitor activity. Sustainable The widely used definition is "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet development their own needs". Tranquillity A composite feature which seeks to characterise elements of wildness, solitude, peace and quiet, relating principally to low levels of built development, traffic, noise and artificial lighting. Unconventional Oil or gas which cannot be extracted using traditional drilling techniques, including underground coal gasification, coal bed and coal mine hydrocarbons methane and shale gas.

Utilities Organisations performing a public service e.g. water, gas, electricity, etc. Veteran tree A ‘veteran’ tree is usually in the second or mature stage of its life, generally with a full crown but also having important wildlife and habitat features such as hollowing or associated decay fungi, holes, wounds and large dead branches. The term ‘veteran’ generally refers to old trees but can also include younger, middle aged trees where premature aging characteristics are present.

Village Design A document produced by a community to identify local character and set out design guidance for new development. Statement www.howardianhills.org.uk 107 Photographs © AONB Unit (Paul Jackson & Liz Bassindale) Except: © Hovingham Estate: p43 (top)

Produced on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, Ryedale District Council and Hambleton District Council by: HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Old Vicarage, Bondgate, Helmsley, York. YO62 5B

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