Management Plan 2009 – 2014 USERS GUIDE
The Management Plan contains a lot of • Own or manage land within the AONB? Check the information on the Howardian Hills AONB. large map in the folder pocket and the Future Local Management Priorities (Section 2.7). This will tell you It is a complex document, but the following if there are any important wildlife or historical sites on guide gives tips on how to find information: your land, together with suggestions for appropriate conservation management. The Landscape Priorities • Cross references. These are shown in green and for each Management Zone can also be used to guide underlined, in the style of an internet hyperlink. They and support applications to agri-environment schemes indicate where in the Plan more information can be or AONB Grant Funds. found. • Live in the AONB and want to know about • Want to know why the Howardian Hills are important features in your area? Check the large designated as an AONB? Read a summary of their map in the folder pocket – this will tell you if there Special Qualities (Section 2.3.1). These are what the are any important wildlife or historical sites near your Plan is trying to conserve and enhance. village.
• Want to get a quick impression of what the Plan • Visiting the area? Check the large map in the folder hopes to achieve (an Executive Summary)? Read pocket, to get an overview of the Rights of Way ‘The Vision’ in Section 2.1 and the Objectives boxes in network and the interesting sites that can be seen the other Sections, to see how the AONB Partnership from it. (N.B. Due to the scale of the map, the routes hopes to achieve its goal. The Objectives and Actions of the paths are only shown approximately. Please use are also summarised in the Action Programme an up-to-date Ordnance Survey map when using the (Section 3.2). Public Rights of Way network).
• Interested in one particular subject? Read the relevant individual section of the Management Plan to see the Objectives and Actions. More detailed background information on some topics is contained in the Supplementary Technical Information document on the CD.
Copyright Statement The Ordnance Survey mapping shown in this publication is provided by North Yorkshire County Council under license from This publication or any section of it may be reproduced free of charge the Ordnance Survey in order to fulfil its public function to in any format or medium, provided it is reproduced accurately and not publicise local public services. Persons viewing this mapping used in a misleading context. The source of the material must should contact Ordnance Survey copyright for advice where they be acknowledged. wish to license Ordnance Survey mapping. Management Plan 2009 – 2014
April 2009
Produced on behalf of: North Yorkshire County Council, Ryedale District Council and Hambleton District Council by: HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Mews, Wath Court, Hovingham, York. YO62 4NN
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 FOREWORD
It has been a great pleasure to be involved in the during the life of the previous Plan. We need to build on revision of the Management Plan for the Howardian this, to ensure that the special qualities of the AONB are Hills AONB. The AONB is a very special area and is conserved and enhanced for future generations. recognised nationally as one of the finest landscapes in the country. The JAC was set up to provide advice and More communities are now starting to proactively plan FOREWORD co-ordinate action to help look after the area. for their futures. In villages throughout the AONB, all the generations are becoming involved in developing The Plan is of relevance to everybody who lives and Parish Plans. The interest of our younger members of works in the Howardian Hills or who visits the area society is particularly important, as it is they who will for recreation. Most importantly, its recommendations take the Howardian Hills on into the future. It is our duty can only be achieved with everyone’s co-operation and to hand it on to them in a better condition than the one assistance. we inherited. An important tool in achieving this is our Sustainable Development Fund, which has helped with It is appropriate that this Management Plan, like its many exciting projects. These have included help with predecessor in 2004, is again being produced at a time community planning, renewable energy installations in of major change in rural areas. After a period when village halls and support for innovative and sustainable agriculture appeared to need to diversify in order to businesses linked to the special qualities of the AONB. survive, the wheel has turned full circle, as it so often does. The global financial crisis and other factors have On behalf of the Joint Advisory Committee, I would like highlighted the importance of food production and the to thank all those organisations and individuals who issue of food security has risen to the fore again. The have contributed to the production of the Plan. Government has indicated that it wants farmers to I would also like to acknowledge the advice and concentrate on food production, but that this should be financial assistance provided by Natural England. carried out in an environmentally sustainable way. As 80% of the AONB is in agricultural land use, achieving I hope that you will work with us now and on into the that balance will be critical and the AONB Management future to put the Plan into action. Plan will be a vital tool in the process.
Another important factor that has emerged since the last Management Plan was written, and which will continue to be a strong influence, is climate change. Its effects, and how we respond in mitigating or adapting Robert Wainwright to them, will increasingly shape the face of the AONB. Chairman From energy crops and wind turbines, to increased Howardian Hills AONB flooding and careful decisions over agricultural inputs, Joint Advisory Committee to potentially the loss of some of our best-loved habitats – climate change may impact in many different ways. March 2009
The previous Management Plan has been a great success and the revised one will allow us to face the challenges of the future with confidence. The high- quality management of the AONB landscape that is carried out by farmers, foresters and other land managers is plain to see. 60% of the AONB area is within the Government’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme, whilst the Joint Advisory Committee has directly grant aided nearly 8km of new hedge planting
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 FOREWORD
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 CONTENTS
Page Users Guide Inside Front Cover
Foreword 5 CONTENTS Part One Introduction
1.1 The Howardian Hills AONB...... 11
1.2 The AONB Partnership...... 15
1.3 The AONB Management Plan...... 17
Part Two Achieving a Vision
2.1 A Vision for a Living Landscape...... 21
2.2 A Sustainable Future...... 23
2.3 A Rich Heritage...... 27
2.3.1 Special Qualities ...... 29 2.3.2 Natural Environment ...... 35 2.3.3 Historic Environment...... 47
2.4 Living and Working in the Howardian Hills...... 55
2.4.1 Local Communities...... 57 2.4.2 Agriculture...... 63 2.4.3 Forestry and Woodland...... 71 2.4.4 Development ...... 81 2.4.5 Roads, Transport and Traffic Management...... 89
2.5 Enjoying the AONB ...... 95
2.5.1 Recreation, Access and Tourism...... 97
2.6 Awareness and Promotion...... 107
2.7 Future Local Management Priorities...... 111
Part Three Implementation
3.1 Putting the Plan into Action...... 129
3.2 The Action Programme ...... 133
3.3 Monitoring...... 153
References ...... 157
Acknowledgments ...... 159
The CD and Sites Map are in the folder pocket in the back cover
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 CONTENTS
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 INTRODUCTION
PART ONE INTRODUCTION
The Introduction contains background information on the designation and administration of the Howardian Hills AONB and explains the purpose of the Management Plan
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 INTRODUCTION
10 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1.1 THE HOWARDIAN HILLS AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
The Howardian Hills is one of 49 areas in England, The purpose of designation Wales and Northern Ireland that have been designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). AONBs, Government guidance (2) describes the purpose of together with National Parks and Heritage Coasts, cover designation as follows: some of the most spectacular and unspoilt landscapes in the country. This accolade for the Howardian Hills, as • The primary purpose of designation is to conserve one of England’s finest landscapes, was confirmed by the and enhance natural beauty. Secretary of State for the Environment on 19th October 1987. As one of seven protected landscape areas in • In pursuing the primary purpose of designation, North Yorkshire, the Howardian Hills AONB plays an account should be taken of the needs of agriculture, important role in both local and regional landscape and forestry, other rural industries and of the economic wildlife conservation, as well as in tourism, leisure and and social needs of communities. Particular regard the rural economy. It also takes its place alongside some should be paid to promoting sustainable forms of of the world’s best-known landscapes, such as the USA’s social and economic development that in themselves National Parks and the Amazon Rainforest, as part of the conserve and enhance the environment. International Union for Nature Conservation’s family of Protected Areas. • Recreation is not an objective of designation, but the demand for recreation should be met so far as this The Howardian Hills is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses. Lying between the Vale of Pickering and the Vale of York, the Howardian Hills AONB forms a clearly defined Natural beauty is defined as including flora, fauna geographical area of well-wooded rolling countryside and geological as well as landscape features. The (see Figure 1). In the north west the AONB abuts the conservation of archaeological, architectural and North York Moors National Park; in the east, along the vernacular features is also important, since the Derwent Valley, it extends to the rising ground of the landscape is continually being shaped by human Yorkshire Wolds. Roughly rectangular in shape and up to influence. Whilst the character of AONBs often differs 16 miles (25km) long by 6 miles (10km) wide, it covers 79 from that of National Parks, in landscape and legal square miles (204 sq. km). Section 2.3 (A Rich Heritage) terms they have equal status and protection (3). describes the landscape and its characteristic features in more detail. The benefits of designation
Administratively, the AONB falls within the County of Designation focuses attention on the conservation needs North Yorkshire and is divided between the Districts of the Howardian Hills. It strengthens both the duty and of Ryedale and Hambleton. Containing all or part of 44 ability of local authorities to conserve and enhance the Parishes, which are administered by 29 Parish Councils landscape of the area (3). Section 85 of the Countryside or Meetings, the designated area has a population of and Rights of Way Act 2000 extends this ‘duty of care’ approximately 6,100 people. A further 3,200 live in further, by stating that: villages just outside the designated boundary (1). “In exercising or performing any function in relation to,
or so as to affect, land in an area of outstanding natural BEAUTY NATURAL HILLS AREA OF OUTSTANDING THE HOWARDIAN beauty, a relevant authority shall have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area of outstanding natural beauty.”
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 11 In general terms, the AONB designation has the following influence:
Planning control:
• Less likelihood of Government or public agencies proposing intrusive new developments such as roads and high voltage overhead power lines.
• Additional local authority controls over the type, quality and design of domestic extensions; telecommunications and other antennae; and mineral exploitation.
• Greater control over the resale of council houses purchased by tenants after designation, to help meet the housing needs of local residents.
Action for conservation:
• Increased resources from Government departments/ agencies and local authorities, to establish AONB staff Units and promote/fund countryside conservation and sustainable development projects.
• A positive approach to helping farmers, land managers and communities make landscape and biodiversity improvements and resolve any problems caused by visitors.
• Land in the AONB that is of outstanding scenic value may more readily qualify for Conditional Inheritance Tax exemption. THE HOWARDIAN HILLS AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY NATURAL HILLS AREA OF OUTSTANDING THE HOWARDIAN
12 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Map, Figure 1 (AONB area) THE HOWARDIAN HILLS AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY NATURAL HILLS AREA OF OUTSTANDING THE HOWARDIAN
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 13 THE HOWARDIAN HILLS AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY NATURAL HILLS AREA OF OUTSTANDING THE HOWARDIAN
14 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1.2 THE AONB PARTNERSHIP
A Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) was established for The Joint Advisory Committee normally meets three the Howardian Hills AONB in 1992 to help agree a co- times a year, in order to make formal policy decisions ordinated approach. Its members include representatives and monitor the work of the AONB Unit and AONB of the following organisations: Partnership.
North Yorkshire County Council A small Working Group of officers from the local Ryedale District Council authorities and Natural England (the main funding Hambleton District Council partners) meets regularly with the AONB Unit and also Ryedale Parish Councils provides the JAC with support. This Core Funders Group Hambleton Parish Councils considers budget and policy issues on a day-to-day Natural England basis, as well as monitoring the allocation of grants Forestry Commission from the JAC’s various grant schemes. National Farmers Union Country Land and Business Association The AONB Partnership Group involves a wider range of THE AONB PARTNERSHIP Ramblers Association organisations and specialisms not currently represented on either the JAC or Core Funders Group. It acts as a The main work of the JAC is to: co-ordinated delivery and monitoring mechanism for the Management Plan at officer level. It also provides a • Advise and steer the preparation and implementation forum for Parish Councils to engage with the AONB Unit of a Management Plan; and other organisations in the wider AONB Partnership.
• Promote awareness and understanding of the AONB for the purposes for which it was designated;
• Advise local authorities and other bodies on countryside conservation, informal recreation and environmental management issues affecting the AONB;
• Consider and advise on development and spatial plan policies, proposals and reviews as they relate to the AONB;
• Discuss major issues affecting the character of the AONB and, where 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.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 15 THE AONB PARTNERSHIP
16 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1.3 THE AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN
The basis for the Management Plan therefore take it outside the formal boundary when this would benefit AONB objectives, particularly in relation The Howardian Hills contains a wide range of features to work with communities, countryside management – woodland, parkland, farmland, rivers and lakes, all of advice and development control. which provide a variety of wildlife habitats. The policy and strategy context Changing demands on agricultural land, the economics of woodland management and a variety of There are a large number of plans and strategies that environmental factors constantly alter the relationship impact on the Howardian Hills landscape, economy between different land uses, bringing changes to the and community. They operate at a national level e.g. landscape. A number of tourist attractions lie within Planning Policy Guidance Notes/Statements, a regional the AONB and it also has many villages, large country level e.g. Regional Transport Strategy, Regional Spatial houses and Estates that are popular with visitors. Strategy, a county level e.g. Minerals and Waste Local Several tourist routes cross the area, whilst the major Development Frameworks and a local level e.g. Local attractions of York, the North York Moors National Park Development Frameworks, Biodiversity Action Plans, and the coast are also nearby. In the past there have Community Strategies. been few threats from major development proposals. With development of the rural economy, increased The important focus of the AONB Management Plan, levels of traffic and pressure for housing, there is no and what differentiates it from these other plans and THE AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN guarantee that this fortunate situation will continue. The strategies, is the primary purpose to conserve and Management Plan, in combination with the spatial plans enhance the natural beauty of the Howardian Hills. The covering the area, provides a useful means for ensuring Management Plan ‘adds value’, by informing other plans that the problems and opportunities that these pressures and indicating how their policies can be implemented bring are addressed and guided in a way that conserves within the AONB. and enhances the landscape of this nationally important area. In terms of development control, the AONB lies within areas covered by the Ryedale and Hambleton District The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 Councils, who are responsible for local planning matters. placed a statutory duty on all local authorities to prepare The area is also covered by North Yorkshire County and adopt Management Plans for their AONBs. The Plan Council, which has responsibility for minerals and waste must provide a Vision, together with a set of Objectives planning. The formal plans that guide the day-to-day and Actions, which formulate the local authority planning decisions taken by these Councils can be seen policies for the AONB and help define their functions at local Council offices or the AONB Unit office. in relation to it. It should also raise the profile of AONB management issues and demonstrate the commitment The Howardian Hills AONB of all public bodies, statutory undertakers and other Management Plan interested organisations to the management of the area (4). The constituent local authorities in the Howardian As described above, the statutory AONB Management Hills agreed that the Joint Advisory Committee should Plan has a clearly defined purpose and role within co-ordinate the preparation of the Management Plan on the suite of other plans and strategies. It provides a their behalf. All the local authorities were required to framework for partnership, by helping all those who adopt the revised Plan by 1st April 2009. have an interest and involvement in the AONB to see ways in which their individual or collective efforts and Although the Management Plan is written specifically decisions can contribute to looking after the area. A for the designated area of the AONB, activities adjacent primary aim is to gain their support and to this end the to the formal boundary can have an impact on the AONB Plan provides a focus for: itself. The work of the Joint Advisory Committee may
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 17 • Drawing together up-to-date information on the A summary report of the methodology and comments AONB. received at the community/Parish Planning events has been prepared and is available from the AONB Unit • Considering conflicting pressures and issues. office (5).
• Establishing clear and practical Objectives and In addition to this consultation process, a number of Actions to guide integrated decision-making and technical research documents have also been used in progress on the ground. the preparation of the Management Plan. These are available for reference at your local Council office or the • Recommending priorities for action. AONB Unit office and include:
• Identifying the resources and funding required. • The Howardian Hills Landscape (6).
Since many activities which can radically alter the • Ecological Survey of woodlands in the Howardian character of the landscape do not fall within planning Hills AONB (7). control, the AONB Management Plan benefits the area by providing an essential tool to help guide future land • Southern Ryedale and Howardian Hills AONB Phase I management, development and recreational use. Survey (8). THE AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN Achieving a consensus for this type of approach • Howardian Hills AONB Historic Environment Study naturally involves all who own or work the land, as well (9). as the local authorities, Government departments and agencies, voluntary groups, local residents and the many • The Howardian Hills AONB Visitors and Users Survey individuals who enjoy the area. (10).
The style and content of the Plan addresses this diverse Nothing remains static however, particularly in the audience and the process by which it has been prepared face of predicted changes in the world’s climate. The has been vital in building support for its implementation. Management Plan is formally reviewed on a statutory 5 A series of community events, together with meetings year cycle, to ensure that it remains up-to-date and on and Topic Groups, identified both the current issues and target to achieve The Vision for the AONB. also those likely to be encountered over the next five years. All the information was used to revise and update the Objectives and Actions for the new Plan. A full list of Acknowledgements can be found at the back of the Plan, detailing the organisations involved, but the programme can be summarised as follows:
• Community/Parish Planning events – 4 events, attended by 119 people.
• Topic Groups – 8 meetings held, to obtain detailed local information on specific issues, e.g. agriculture, development, recreation and access, etc.
• Farmers and land managers meeting – 1 meeting held in November 2008, to discuss current and future trends in agriculture and land management.
18 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 PART TWO ACHIEVING A VISION ACHIEVING A VISION
This section contains A Vision for the Howardian Hills AONB and explains how that Vision will be achieved
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 19 ACHIEVING A VISION
20 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.1 A VISION FOR A LIVING LANDSCAPE
Section 2.3 (A Rich Heritage) describes the physical The Vision character of the AONB landscape and its Special Qualities. Apart from the geology and natural landform The policies in the AONB Management Plan need to be of the Howardian Hills, all the other factors that guided by a long-term goal. The 25-year Vision for local influence the way it looks and feels are largely governed people and partner organisations to work towards is: by human activity (or inactivity). It is the actions of people, acting as both individuals and communities, that shapes the area and gives it its ‘sense of place’. The Howardian Hills will continue to be a tranquil and well-managed rural area. It will still be notable All the issues and factors described in subsequent for its extensive woodland, rolling agricultural sections of this Plan combine in a constantly variable fields, large country houses and designed pattern to define the character of the Howardian Hills. parklands. Natural and cultural resources will be It is therefore the activities, hopes and aspirations of sympathetically managed within a diverse and the people who live and work in the area or enjoy it for prosperous rural economy. Active communities will leisure and recreation that will ultimately determine its have increased opportunities for people of all ages future. to live and work in the area. Residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy and appreciate the AONB In addition to ‘everyday’ human factors there are the in an environmentally sustainable way. unknown implications of climate change. The effects of a changing climate, and as importantly the impact of attempts to mitigate and adapt to that change, will have Key Vision Aims: an as yet unknown effect upon the AONB. A VISION FOR LIVING LANDSCAPE • Farming and forestry will be sustainable both Of vital importance are the local communities within economically and environmentally. the AONB, as only by acting jointly can any significant progress be made on some issues. The programme of • All SSSIs will be in Favourable Condition, with the community consultation events in 2003 highlighted long-standing water quality issues on the River several that are of concern in nearly every village, Derwent resolved. namely speeding traffic, affordable housing, the lack of village services and isolation/lack of community • All Ancient Woodland SINCs will have been spirit. Many of these are common to rural communities restored, or be in the process of restoration, to native throughout Britain, but the relatively dispersed nature of broadleaves. settlement within the Howardian Hills aggravates the problem. • All grassland SINCs will be in sustainable grazing/ cutting management regimes. A Vision for the Howardian Hills must therefore recognise that the landscape will change, but it needs • All Heritage Assets (Scheduled Monuments, Listed to ensure that it does so in a way that conserves Buildings, Registered Parks & Gardens) will be in and enhances its Special Qualities. In doing so, it sustainable management, in the Low Risk category. also needs to maintain and enhance the social and economic viability of the area in ways that sustain these • There will be a more diverse mix of housing units/ qualities, at a time when climatic factors may make this tenures and more services will be delivered at increasingly difficult. community level, reducing the need to travel.
• Where travel is necessary, a network of public and community transport links will be in place to cater for the majority of needs.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 21 • Personal transport is still likely to be important, but will be powered by more sustainable fuels.
• All Rights of Way will be easy to use, with the minimum of obstruction to all types of user.
• A wide cross-section of society will enjoy and appreciate the special qualities of the AONB, for their intrinsic value and for the physical and mental stimulation they provide.
The Management Plan contains Objectives and Actions for the period 2009 – 2014, under three broad themes. Achievement of these will be the start of a process that will ultimately result in the achievement of the Vision.
View from Caulkleys Bank, Nunnington A VISION FOR LIVING LANDSCAPE
22 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.2 A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Climate Change OBJECTIVE SF1
Any Vision for the future must acknowledge the ASSESS THE AONB’S CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE potential impacts of climate change. These are difficult CHANGE MITIGATION/ADAPTATION AND to predict however, given that the exact scale and MONITOR THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON impact of these changes on the AONB is still unknown. ITS SPECIAL QUALITIES
Although scientific consensus on the extent and Action effect of climate change is not unanimous, reducing the use of non-renewable natural resources is SF1.1 Calculate the ‘carbon balance’ for land use a prudent action in its own right. An element activity in the AONB. of the precautionary principle must apply and developed countries need to take the lead. SF1.2 Compile a map of ‘green infrastructure’
within the AONB. FUTURE A SUSTAINABLE It should soon be possible to assess the contribution that the Howardian Hills makes to both climate change SF1.3 Gather information on the potential mitigation and adaptation. Preliminary work on carbon impacts of climate change on the Special accounting for farms and Estates should allow the total Qualities of the AONB. amount of carbon emitted/sequestered in the AONB by land use activity and habitats to be calculated. Likewise, the habitat management and creation work carried out Towards a sustainable future by the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) since 1997 can be mapped. This, when overlain onto Phase I habitat There are many different definitions of sustainability, survey data, Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation with one of the most widely recognised being: (SINCs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), will indicate how a network of ‘green infrastructure’ ‘Development that meets the needs of the present is being maintained and developed across the AONB, without compromising the ability of future generations to assist with habitat restoration and climate change to meet their own needs’. (11) mitigation/adaptation. The UK Government’s Sustainable Development policy There is also a need to know more about the actual (Securing the Future) was published in 2005 (12) and and potential impacts of climate change on the AONB’s contains five Principles and four Priorities. Special Qualities. The general prediction is for hotter drier summers and warmer wetter winters, with more Principles: frequent and extreme weather events. Some of the effects could include more frequent and severe flooding • Living within environmental limits. of farmland, damage to archaeological remains by soil erosion and weathering, loss of fertile topsoil from • Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society. fields, windblow of mature trees, new species moving in, or extinction of existing species unable to move • Achieving a sustainable economy. within the landscape. Both research information and practical observations will be important in deciding how • Using sound science responsibly. to manage these impacts. • Promoting good governance.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 23 Priorities: When assessing projects for grant aid or responding to consultations, an ecosystem approach needs to be • Sustainable consumption and production. adopted. This would allow all aspects of ecosystem services to be assessed and considered, to ensure the • Climate change. maximisation of positive benefits and minimisation of negative effects. • Natural resource protection. The JAC can also encourage more sustainable living • Sustainable communities. generally as part of the AONB’s contribution to wider society and climate change mitigation. Local community Sustainability is a complex subject and much has been initiatives can be particularly successful and a number of written about it. Actions that are fully sustainable in these have been completed in the AONB in recent years, economic, social and environmental terms are rare. e.g. the creation of school kitchen gardens and fitting
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE A SUSTAINABLE Often the best that can be said is that one action is more low-energy light bulbs in village halls. sustainable than another. Sustainable Development is the journey towards sustainability, and consequently The Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) that has been sustainability is never an end goal that is ‘achieved’. It available to the JAC in recent years has supported a will constantly evolve in light of new technologies, new number of innovative projects and this will hopefully thinking, new research and new predictions on climate continue to be an important local source of funding. change and its impacts. The JAC should ensure that its own activities are Despite this it is important that all people who live, conducted sustainably and that it leads by example. work, or take leisure time within the AONB make Its principal activities are staff travel, running the attempts to live more sustainably. Using the car less, AONB Office and the procurement of a variety buying local food, re-cycling as much waste as possible, of goods and services. An environmental policy growing your own vegetables, burning locally-sourced for the JAC’s activities should be developed, to logs, insulating houses better – there are many small formalise and build on current good practice. things that can be done to live more sustainably. It is also likely that lifestyle changes will become more attractive due to economic factors. The high price of road fuel in early 2008 led to a decrease in car usage, whilst Government continues to discuss the options around more direct charging mechanisms for household waste. Saving money is likely to be as important a factor as becoming more environmentally responsible.
The role of the JAC is primarily to promote and encourage specific actions linked to the Special Qualities of the AONB. OBJECTIVE FW3 in the Forestry and Woodland section for example encourages the planting of native tree strains that will offer the best degree of climate change resilience. OBJECTIVE D5 offers support for appropriate renewable energy generation projects, whilst OBJECTIVE AG3 highlights the need for new mechanisms to make carbon sequestration and flood alleviation projects more attractive to landowners. River Derwent in flood, Huttons Ambo
24 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE SF2 Implementation and monitoring
PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY AND SUPPORT Please refer to the Implementation section, which APPROPRIATE PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT THE AONB details:
Action • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved.
SF2.1 Use an ecosystem approach to guide • The key partner organisations. consultation responses and assess projects that receive grant assistance from the JAC. • The role of the JAC.
SF2.2 Publish and promote tips on sustainable • The timescale and priority for action. living for residents, businesses and
communities. • The mechanisms for measuring the performance FUTURE A SUSTAINABLE of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the SF2.3 Demonstrate examples of good AONB. sustainability practice.
SF2.4 Use the Sustainable Development Fund to support appropriate projects that benefit the AONB.
SF2.5 Develop an environmental policy to cover the JAC’s own activities.
New ground-source heating system under lake, Castle Howard
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 25 A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE A SUSTAINABLE
26 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.3 A RICH HERITAGE
View to Scackleton Near Gilling A RICH HERITAGE
Castle Howard Kirkham Priory
Fen near Coulton
Ox Carr Wood, Welburn
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 27 A RICH HERITAGE
28 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.3.1 SPECIAL QUALITIES
The primary purpose of AONB designation is “to • A richly varied landscape. The landform consists conserve and enhance natural beauty”. It is therefore of a complex system of ridges, hills and valleys essential to define as clearly as possible the character of (see Figure 2). These are clothed with a mosaic of the landscape, recognising both its Special Qualities and woodland, rolling arable fields, small-scale pasture, the forces for change that act upon it. fens, hedges and walls, formal parkland and scattered settlements. Although the Howardian Hills landscape is heavily wooded it is also essentially a farmed landscape, with • A landscape of high visual quality. The variety agriculture and forestry practices playing a dominant of landform and land use produces a contrast in role in shaping its appearance. scale, colour, texture and form. The settings of the SPECIAL QUALITIES historic houses, the extensive woodlands, the broad The evolution of the landscape of the area since sweeping views and the unspoilt farming landscapes prehistoric times, and the forces for change which and traditional building styles have a special continue to shape it today, are described in detail in aesthetic appeal. The Howardian Hills Landscape, a report prepared by consultants in 1995 (6). The report summarised the • A remarkable heritage. The Howardian Hills Special Qualities of the AONB as follows: has a concentration of archaeological and historic features, ranging from Iron Age earthworks on “The Howardian Hills have a strong unity of visual prominent hilltops to the castles and monasteries character, not least because they are physically of the medieval period. The numerous grand houses separated from the surrounding countryside, but and designed landscapes, such as Castle Howard, also because there are a number of common Newburgh Priory, Hovingham Hall, Gilling Castle and characteristics which bind the landscape Nunnington Hall, have a dramatic effect upon the together. The strongest of these is the dominance landscape. of woodland, which seems to form a green web across the whole area. The open sweeping views • An important wildlife resource. The AONB from the ridge tops and the quiet intimacy of the contains a section of the unique River Derwent, enclosed valleys are experiences which constantly with its outstanding wild plants and animals. Other recur whilst travelling through the area. The habitats of national importance include fens and sheer complexity of the land cover, with its rich relatively extensive remnants of Ancient Semi- patchwork of crops, pastures, woods, trees and Natural Woodland. hedgerows is another consistent quality across most of the area.” Whilst each of these attributes is important in its own right, it is their combination in a relatively small area More specifically, the key Special Qualities are that has produced a landscape of national significance. considered to be: The table at the end of this section shows the number • An unusual landform. The Howardian Hills is the of designated sites within the AONB, which quantifies only area of Jurassic limestone landscape in the these Special Qualities. north of England to be designated as an AONB. The deeply incised Kirkham Gorge is a unique glacial overflow channel of great scientific importance.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 29 Tranquillity Variations in landscape character
One concept that has come to the fore since the By analysing various landscape elements, a number of publication of the Howardian Hills Landscape report broad landscape character types have been identified. is that of tranquillity. This adds a new dimension to Each has its own unique combination of characteristics the value of AONBs, in combination with their high giving it a special sense of place. The landscape landscape and wildlife value. AONBs and National Parks character types are illustrated in Figure 3. The AONB has are increasing seen as calm and tranquil areas, where seven types with, in places, local sub-divisions: people can relax and get away from the rush of modern life. This must however be tempered by respect for the 1. Plateau SPECIAL QUALITIES needs and aspirations of local people living and working in the area. The AONB is a sparsely populated rural 2. Upland Fringes area and as such currently benefits from a high level of a. Northern Plateau Fringe tranquillity. b. Western Plateau Fringe c. Southern Plateau Fringe The level of noise is perceived as being one of the main d. Southern Moors Fringe indicators of tranquillity. Whilst agricultural and forestry e. Eastern Moors Fringe operations are seen as being part of rural life, features such as traffic noise, minerals workings, excessive 3. Ridges lighting and aircraft noise can all be detrimental to the a. South Ridge feeling of tranquillity. These issues can be difficult to b. South East Ridge address, but the Objectives within the Plan are designed c. North Ridge to maintain and enhance this sense of tranquillity, as d. Caulkleys Bank part of the natural beauty of the AONB. OBJECTIVE D3 in the Development section contains specific actions 4. Vales aimed at preserving and improving tranquillity in the a. Vale of York AONB. b. Vale of Pickering c. Crayke
5. Castle Howard Basin
6. Central Hills and Valleys
7. Derwent Gorge
Near Coulton
30 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 As these landscape character types reflect differences Implementation and monitoring in landform, vegetation and land management, they have been used as a basis for dividing the AONB into Please refer to the Implementation section, which the Management Zones referred to in Section 2.7 of details: the Plan, which identifiesFuture Local Management Priorities for action. • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved.
Management of the • The key partner organisations. AONB landscape • The role of the JAC. SPECIAL QUALITIES It is inevitable that, as the appearance of the landscape is influenced by the combination of factors considered • The timescale and priority for action. in other sections of the Management Plan, such as agriculture, nature conservation, cultural heritage and • The mechanisms for measuring the performance development, there will be much overlap in coverage. It of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the is however this interaction of factors which gives each AONB. part of the AONB its special distinctive character and which the Management Plan hopes to guide.
The Plan does not contain any specific Objectives for the management of the AONB landscape per se. All the Objectives have been developed in a way that ensures that the various components of the landscape will be conserved or enhanced, so that they continue to contribute to the AONB’s distinctive landscape pattern. Achievement of the Plan’s Objectives, together with action to address the Future Local Management Priorities, will ensure that the character of this nationally important landscape continues to evolve in a sustainable way.
Near Coulton
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 31 Designated Sites
SITE DESIGNATION
Special Area of Conservation (SAC) 1
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 8 SPECIAL QUALITIES Scheduled Monument (SM) 78
~ Low Risk (21)
~ Medium Risk (24)
~ High Risk (33)
Registered Park and Garden (RPG) 5
Listed Building 377
Listed Building at Risk 16
Conservation Area 11
Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) 70
Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS) 0
Public Bridleway 94 km
Public Footpath 207 km
32 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Map, Figure 2 (Topography) SPECIAL QUALITIES
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 33 Map, Figure 3 (Landscape Character Types) SPECIAL QUALITIES
34 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.3.2 NATURal Environment
Wildlife resources Climate change
The Howardian Hills AONB is a key area for a number One critical factor that will have an increasing influence of nationally important habitats and species. These on biodiversity, and hence on Biodiversity Action include lowland broadleaved woodland, wood pasture Planning, is climate change. Although the precise effects and veteran trees, limestone and neutral grasslands cannot be known in detail, the ability of species and and fen meadows. Characteristic species include brown habitats to adapt to changing climatic conditions will be hare, lapwing, tree sparrow and barn owl, as well as vital for their survival. The BAP process has a key role several local rarities such as knapweed broomrape and to play in ensuring that both rare and common habitats baneberry. More detailed information and the results of are not lost and that sympathetic land management surveys can be found in the Supplementary Technical allows for the spread of species and habitats through Information document on the CD. the landscape.
Biodiversity Action Planning ENVIRONMENT NATURAL OBJECTIVE NE1 Information gathered on the wildlife resource of the Howardian Hills, both historically and more recently, CONTINUALLY IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE has been invaluable in the Biodiversity Action Planning WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN THE AONB AND THE process. Biodiversity is one of the Government’s ‘Quality POSSIBLE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE of Life’ Indicators and national guidance requires local UPON THEM authorities to have knowledge of the wildlife resources within their area. Many have subsequently prepared Action Action Plans to safeguard and increase these resources. These plans are referred to as Local Biodiversity Action NE1.1 Carry out a rolling programme of Plans (LBAPs) and both Ryedale and Hambleton Districts monitoring surveys on Sites of Importance have approved Plans in place (13, 14). The Plans consist for Nature Conservation (SINCs). of a series of Habitat and Species Action Plans (HAPs and SAPs). Each has detailed actions and targets for NE1.2 Carry out detailed surveys of specific BAP managing and improving the quality and distribution of habitats or species as necessary, to fill their particular habitat or species and implementation is identified gaps in knowledge. Suggested overseen by a partnership group. priorities include: • Veteran trees and associated wildlife The Biodiversity Audits used to prepare the LBAPs • Farmland birds have shown how critical the wildlife resource of the • Water voles Howardian Hills is on a regional basis. For example, the • Ponds best semi-natural ash woodlands in the Ryedale District • Lakes with low nutrient levels area (outside the North York Moors National Park) are (mesotrophic) mainly located within the AONB. NE1.3 Further develop recording mechanisms The LBAPs for the Ryedale and Hambleton areas provide to assist farmers, land managers and the framework to guide action on the ground. They communities with monitoring wildlife. provide a focus for further survey work, whilst also targeting practical action on site management. The NE1.4 Research the climate change resilience of Joint Advisory Committee (JAC), via the AONB Unit, has key AONB habitats. a vital role to play in working with land managers and relevant organisations to ensure that LBAP targets are NE1.5 Digitise the Phase I survey maps of the met within the Howardian Hills. AONB, to assist with habitat restoration planning and climate change adaptation.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 35 Conservation of key sites OBJECTIVE NE2
Wildlife habitats can vary significantly in species GIVE PRIORITY TO CONSERVATION OF THE BEST composition, condition and nature conservation value. REMAINING nature conservation SITES IN The most important sites are designated as Sites of THE AONB Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and receive statutory protection. Three of the SSSIs in the AONB are former Action quarries, designated for their geological interest. Natural England agrees appropriate management regimes with NE2.1 Maintain and regularly update a register of the landowners following designation of these sites. The key nature conservation sites. River Derwent SSSI has further, international, protection as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). NE2.2 Where appropriate, ensure more effective protection for the best nature conservation Other sites may not merit SSSI designation but are of sites. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL importance in a County context. The best remaining habitats have therefore been identified as non-statutory NE2.3 Resist development proposals that may Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). affect key nature conservation sites. These are recognised in the Ryedale Local Plan and Hambleton Local Development Framework and have NE2.4 Ensure farmers and landowners are aware had detailed species surveys prior to assessment and of the existence and importance of sites on ratification by the North Yorkshire SINC panel. There their land. are also several further sites that are not significant on a regional basis, but which are still important within a Howardian Hills context. All these sites are shown on Figure 4 and are listed as Local Natural Environment Priorities in Section 2.7 of the Plan.
Designation of sites can help to protect them from Grassland management, Brandsby damaging development, but land management measures need to be put in place to ensure their long-term conservation. The JAC will use all available sources of funding and advice to assist farmers and landowners in reaching conservation management agreements for these sites.
36 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Awareness OBJECTIVE NE3
As well as safeguarding and enhancing wildlife ENCOURAGE LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN THE resources, it is vital that local people appreciate the MONITORING, ADOPTION AND MANAGEMENT OF importance of their area for wildlife. Habitats and NATURE CONSERVATION SITES species can only truly be conserved when their value and importance to the culture of the area is understood, Action appreciated and enjoyed. Nature conservation in the past has relied heavily upon keeping the most NE3.1 Work with communities, volunteer groups, valuable sites a secret, to avoid inadvertent damage schools, interest groups, businesses, and unsustainable visitor pressure. Whilst this may land managers and local organisations, be appropriate in some situations, a wider public to encourage partnership action for appreciation of the AONB’s wildlife resources would be monitoring and management of sites. beneficial. One of Natural England’s Strategic Outcomes NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL is to ensure that people are inspired to conserve and value the natural environment, and they can only do this if they are able to interact with it. OBJECTIVE AP2 in the Awareness and Promotion section suggests Actions that could be carried out to raise awareness of the existence and management of important wildlife habitats in the AONB. Knapweed broomrape It is also important to appreciate the role that biodiversity plays in sustainable land management. Much of the character of the Howardian Hills is derived from its important wildlife habitats, which provide opportunities for tourism/leisure and community benefits. They also provide a potential source of diversification activity for agricultural and forestry businesses, as well as a showcase for sympathetic land management skills. More could be done to involve local communities in practical wildlife management work, in partnership with farmers and landowners.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 37 Map, Figure 4 (Nature and Biodiversity sites) NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL
38 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Woodland • The insensitive use of heavy machinery, for example on areas of important ground flora and earthworks Woodland covers approximately 18% of the land area such as boundary banks. of the AONB. A large proportion is of Ancient origin (i.e. has been present since 1600) and, together with • Inappropriate weed control. adjacent woodland in the North York Moors National Park, represents one of the largest concentrations of • Stacking timber on sensitive areas (ground flora, Ancient woodland in northern England. More detailed invertebrates). information on woodland composition, forestry and woodland management, as well as OBJECTIVES, can be • Certain measures undertaken to manage pheasants, found in the Forestry and Woodland section. A number such as siting release pens and straw feed rides on of the Ancient woods retain their original semi-natural areas of important ground flora and planting non- characteristics, but many more have been replanted native shrubs for ground cover. with conifers or non-native broadleaved species. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL Specific habitats for which the AONB is important are Many of these practices were more prevalent in the ash woodland, acidic oak woodland, wet woodland, past, when the financial returns from timber production parkland, wood pasture and veteran/ancient trees. were higher, but care is still needed. Likewise, game management techniques have evolved and sympathetic The long history of tree cover increases the value of nature conservation management of Ancient Semi- Ancient woodlands for nature conservation. Their Natural Woodlands is often also good for pheasants, rich ground flora contains many plant species that are e.g. coppicing. very slow to colonise new sites. The survival of these native woodland plants is largely dependent upon the The work of the JAC raises awareness amongst management of the tree species on such sites. woodland managers of the importance of these woods, whilst Forestry Commission policy/guidance and the The main short-term threat comes from unsympathetic incentives contained in the English Woodland Grant management practices. Whilst these are often adopted Scheme have meant that large-scale damage is largely for sound economic and silvicultural reasons, their a thing of the past. The priority is now to reverse the impact on both nature conservation and the historic damage caused previously, by restoring the ecological environment needs to be appreciated by land managers, value of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), in order to ensure that the more fragile Ancient as well as refining management operations on other Woodlands are not damaged. Ancient woodlands sites. represent not only a valuable wildlife resource, but also contain important reminders of earlier rural industries The integrity of Ancient Woodlands can also be such as coppicing, quarrying and lime-burning. enhanced by expanding them and linking them together. This helps to create robust ecological units Some of the more damaging management issues in with a greater variety of woodland habitats, as well Ancient Woodlands include: as allowing the spread of slow-colonising woodland plant species. Two schemes were implemented in 2002 • The planting of conifers and non-native broadleaved at Coulton, but opportunities are generally limited as species. the soil quality and gentle topography of the AONB make agriculture the predominant land use. Research • The reduction of structural diversity by the removal of conducted on behalf of the Forestry Commission, the shrub layer or old/fallen/dead trees. AONB, North York Moors National Park and the then English Nature (15) indicated the value of ‘forest habitat networks’ and how one might realistically be created on a large scale. This work is now being incorporated
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 39 into the concept of ‘green infrastructure mapping’ that OBJECTIVE NE4 is being developed by Natural England and the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly. ASSIST WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL BAP TARGETS FOR WOODLAND HABITATS IN An initiative such as this will be essential in helping to THE AONB: ASH WOODLAND; ACIDIC OAK adapt to the long-term threat that climate change may WOODLAND; WET WOODLAND; WOOD PASTURE; pose. Woodland species are slow to colonise new sites PARKLAND; VETERAN TREES and an adequate network of shaded habitat will be necessary to allow them to relocate and survive. Action
In addition to the large areas of ‘continuous’ woodland, NE4.1 Ensure that all sites identified asLocal the Howardian Hills is a key area for veteran/ancient Natural Environment Priorities (see Section trees and relict wood pasture habitat. Much of this is 2.7) are in ‘favourable conservation associated with the extensive historic parklands of the management’. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL AONB, re-inforcing the link between biodiversity and landscape character. In-field and field boundary trees, NE4.2 Encourage the extension and buffering together with mature species-rich hedges, also provide of sites identified asLocal Natural much of the linkage across agricultural land between Environment Priorities (see Section 2.7), to woodland areas. As such they will be vital components improve their resilience to climate change. in further developing a habitat network that allows woodland species to move in response to climate NE4.3 Encourage the restoration of Plantations on change. Ancient Woodland Sites, particularly those identified asLocal Natural Environment Priorities (see Section 2.7).
NE4.4 Encourage the planting of new native woodland, wood pasture, species-rich hedges and individual trees, in appropriate locations.
NE4.5 Encourage the creation of mosaics of wet woodland and marshy grassland along riparian corridors.
Oak/bluebell woodland, Coneysthorpe
40 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Grassland The creation of new grassland habitats on appropriate farmland sites is encouraged under Natural England’s In comparison with woodland, high quality unimproved agri-environment schemes, available to farmers and grassland habitats in the AONB are scarce in number land managers. Such habitat cannot however be a and small in scale. There are however a few significant replacement for the natural grassland that may have fragments of calcareous grassland, and road/farm track been present before arable cultivation. Wild flowers verges and churchyards are an important reservoir and grasses typical of unimproved calcareous and of principally neutral grassland habitat. A road verge neutral grassland need low soil fertility – high nutrient survey carried out in 1997 identified 135 stretches of levels in former arable land mean that their successful botanically-rich verge, with 87 of these subsequently re-establishment can be difficult. Arable reversion being designated as Special Interest Road Verges. does however offer an opportunity to create areas of Heathland and acidic grassland is now largely confined meadow or pasture, consisting of low-productivity to rides within forestry plantations. grass species suited to the underlying geology. These sites may eventually develop a more diverse flora, NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL Changes to both agricultural support mechanisms and either via natural regeneration as soil fertility levels legislation mean that unimproved grassland sites within drop, or via the targeted introduction of wild flower farmland are now in more danger from inappropriate seed or plants. These arable reversion areas therefore management than ploughing-out. Whilst in some have the potential to expand and buffer adjacent instances it would be desirable to reduce stocking high-quality grassland habitats, as well as providing rates, to allow the ground flora to benefit, the largest habitats for farmland birds and creating a more diverse threat to biodiversity has been from under-grazing. landscape in harmony with the topography. In addition Many of the grassland sites identified asLocal Natural to new grassland habitat on farms, the development Environment Priorities in Section 2.7 were, until recently, and management of community areas can make an unmanaged or abandoned. The JAC has concentrated important contribution, particularly to the wildlife seen resources on bringing these sites back into active in and around villages. In combination with species-rich grazing management and will continue to regard this as hedges and individual trees, less-intensively managed a high priority, due to the rarity of such habitat within grasslands would create a more ‘permeable’ landscape the AONB. that would allow species to move in response to climate change.
Species-rich grassland Lowland heath is an important habitat that has largely disappeared from the AONB. A survey by the CAN DO Partnership in 2006 (16) identified opportunities for managing, restoring and expanding its extent within Forestry Commission-managed woodlands.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 41 OBJECTIVE NE5 Wetland habitats face a variety of issues that can affect their quality, including: ASSIST WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL BAP TARGETS FOR GRASSLAND HABITATS IN • Lack of grazing on fens and mires. THE AONB: LIMESTONE GRASSLAND; NEUTRAL GRASSLAND; ACIDIC GRASSLAND; HEATHLAND • Inappropriate habitat creation measures.
Action • Siltation of ponds and streams.
NE5.1 Ensure that all existing sites identified as • Colonisation by invasive non-native species. Local Natural Environment Priorities (See section 2.7) are in ‘favourable conservation • Releasing unsustainably high numbers of duck for management’. shooting. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL NE5.2 Encourage the extension and buffering • Falling water levels/neglect. of sites identified asLocal Natural Environment Priorities (see Section 2.7), to • Pollution, via diffuse run-off from agricultural land improve their resilience to climate change. and discharges from sewage works and fish farms.
NE5.3 Ensure that all Special Interest Road • Watercourse engineering works. Verges are in ‘favourable conservation management’. • Recreational use of rivers and waterside land (primarily in the Derwent Valley). NE5.4 Encourage the restoration of grassland and lowland heath habitats that have declined The effects of climate change, potentially including in interest but still retain significant more regular and damaging flooding, could result ecological potential, particularly those in the creation of new areas of wetland habitat. identified asLocal Natural Environment Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme Priorities (see Section 2.7). is a potential source of funding for such work.
NE5.5 Encourage the creation of new grassland The creation of wet grassland or woodland habitats where appropriate. habitat on arable land however is likely to rely on substantial financial incentives being available to farmers and land managers, particularly with the Wetlands current high land values. OBJECTIVE AG3 in the Agriculture section encourages the development Important wetland habitats in the Howardian Hills of suitably attractive incentive packages. include rivers/streams/open water and their associated waterside habitats, spring-fed mires and fens and areas dependent upon a high water table or seasonal flooding. Areas of waterside habitat tend to be small and concentrated within the Derwent Valley and its tributaries (particularly near Coulton). There are several significant areas of open water, mostly in the form of lakes associated with designed parkland landscapes.
42 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE NE6 knowledge of their distribution, as well as informing farmers and land managers of their presence. In most ASSIST WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL cases, simple management measures such as non- BAP TARGETS FOR WETLAND HABITATS IN intervention on specific sites is all that is required. THE AONB: WET GRASSLAND, FENS, MIRES, MESOTROPHIC LAKES, PONDS There have been sustained increases in farmland bird and mammal populations over recent years. However, Action the abolition of set-aside, expiry of Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreements and lower uptake of NE6.1 Ensure that all existing sites identified as Higher Level Stewardship could all have a significantly Local Natural Environment Priorities (see detrimental impact. Simple measures such as nest boxes Section 2.7) are in ‘favourable conservation and supplementary winter feeding can be of benefit to management’. farmland bird species, but the critical factor (as in the 1990s) is likely to be the availability of less-intensively NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL NE6.2 Encourage the extension and buffering managed ‘stubble’. The importance of farmland and of sites identified asLocal Natural woodland birds is recognised nationally and the Environment Priorities (see Section 2.7), to Government has produced a Public Service Agreement improve their resilience to climate change. target, to reverse the long-term decline by 2020.
NE6.3 Encourage restoration of sites that OBJECTIVE NE7 have declined in interest but still retain significant ecological potential. ASSIST WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL BAP TARGETS FOR SPECIES CONSIDERED NE6.4 Encourage creation of new habitat where IMPORTANT IN THE AONB: MAMMALS; BIRDS; conditions are suitable, particularly wet PLANTS; INVERTEBRATES; FISH grassland on arable land. Action
Key species NE7.1 Ensure that key sites for specific species are in ‘favourable conservation As well as the major habitat types described above, management’. the Howardian Hills contains significant populations of individual species that are nationally scarce or in NE7.2 Encourage restoration or creation of sites decline. Some of these, such as the brown hare, are still where significant ecological potential relatively common. Other species for which the AONB exists. is important, but which are nationally scarce, include farmland birds such as grey partridge, corn bunting, tree NE7.3 Identify local Target Areas and encourage sparrow, lapwing and barn owl, as well as a number of co-ordinated management measures. rare invertebrates associated with fen and veteran tree habitats. A full list of the species for which there are Species Action Plans is contained in the Supplementary Technical Information document on the CD.
Some of the key species are highly specialised and limited to specific locations, for example deadwood beetles and some invertebrates and plants. Conservation of these species largely relies on increasing the
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 43 Invasive non-native species the Joint Advisory Committee, would help achieve this. Examples include the establishment of grass margins In common with many parts of the UK, the Howardian around arable fields, hedge restoration schemes and Hills contains a number of non-native species that the planting of new field boundary trees. Such wide- can have negative impacts on indigenous species and scale management also holds the key to conserving and habitats. Grey squirrel, Himalayan balsam, rhododendron enhancing the populations of some species within the and mink are probably the commonest but other species, AONB, particularly those bird species associated with or indeed new ones, could become an issue with farmland. changing climatic conditions. Effective control measures, where appropriate, need to be targeted and co-ordinated One of the greatest potential benefits of such an due to the often significant resources needed to achieve approach however is in the adaptation to climate results. change. In the event that species need to move around the landscape in order to survive, having a ‘permeable’ landscape of interlinking semi-natural habitats through NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL OBJECTIVE NE8 which to move will be critical. MONITOR AND WHERE APPROPRIATE CONTROL INVASIVE NON-NATIVE SPECIES IN THE AONB OBJECTIVE NE9
Action ENCOURAGE LESS-INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT OF FARMLAND, TO CREATE A WIDER NETWORK OF NE8.1 Monitor the location and abundance of COMPLEMENTARY SEMI-NATURAL HABITATS invasive non-native species. Action NE8.2 Carry out targeted partnership action to manage invasive non-native species where NE9.1 Target farmers and land managers to enter appropriate. key sites, particularly those identified as Local Natural Environment Priorities (see Section 2.7), into the Higher Level The wider countryside Stewardship Scheme.
The Phase I habitat survey (8) revealed that only 4% NE9.2 Encourage farmers and land managers to of the land area of the AONB consists of relatively enter the Entry Level Stewardship Scheme. unmodified semi-natural habitat. Although individual sites are important as the best remaining examples
of particular habitats and as sources for future Stonegrave colonisation, the greatest advances will be achieved by increasing the biodiversity value of the countryside in general.
Important sites lie within a framework of intensively managed woodland and farmland – a ‘hard-edged’ landscape. Significant landscape and biodiversity gains could be made by moving towards a ‘soft-edged’ landscape, where habitats and land uses blend into each other more smoothly. The buffering and linking of important sites, using the variety of grants available from Natural England, the Forestry Commission and
44 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE AG2 in the Agriculture section details the OBJECTIVE NE11 incentives available to farmers and land managers from the Joint Advisory Committee. OBJECTIVE FW2 ENCOURAGE THE IDENTIFICATION AND in the Forestry and Woodland section encourages a CONSERVATION OF IMPORTANT GEODIVERSITY similar high-quality, multi-objective approach to the SITES AND FEATURES IN THE AONB management of woodland. Action The importance for biodiversity of villages, gardens, churchyards and other community areas is increasingly NE11.1 Develop a network of Regionally Important being recognised. Winter feeding of garden birds is Geological Sites (RIGS). popular and more communities are now managing their open spaces with wildlife in mind. These features are NE11.2 Ensure that sites identified as RIGS are in an important part of the wider network of habitats ‘favourable conservation management’. described above, as well as an opportunity for people to NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL observe wildlife in close-up and on a daily basis. NE11.3 Resist development proposals that may affect key geodiversity sites. OBJECTIVE NE10
ASSIST WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL Action on the ground BAP TARGETS FOR WILDLIFE WITHIN VILLAGES The JAC, working in partnership with other Action organisations such as the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) and Natural England, has an important NE10.1 Raise awareness of wildlife within villages role to play in achieving the above Objectives for and assist communities with creating and habitat management, restoration and re-creation. Its managing community areas for biodiversity. contacts with local farmers, landowners, land managers and communities, together with its ability to focus resources on the area, has already resulted in significant Geodiversity achievements. These include substantial lengths of new hedge planting, widespread restoration of degraded The Howardian Hills contains a number of important grassland habitats and major increases in the land area geological and geomorphological features such as the covered by Countryside Stewardship agreements. The glacial meltwater channel at Kirkham Gorge, the double- area of land managed under Countryside Stewardship faulted ‘rift’ valley of the Coxwold/Gilling gap and the will however decline significantly over the next 2/3 ridges of Jurassic limestone between Malton and years, as these agreements expire. Higher Level Oswaldkirk. But apart from the geological SSSIs, the Stewardship is a more-targeted scheme and uptake importance of individual sites for geodiversity is therefore likely to be lower. New mechanisms may conservation in the AONB is largely unknown. The North therefore need to be found if the interlinked landscape East Yorkshire Geology Trust and North Yorkshire and wildlife resources of the Howardian Hills are to be Geodiversity Partnership are planning to carry out survey safeguarded for future generations, particularly in the work to assess a number of sites that are believed to be face of climate change. important, with a view to incorporating them into the non-statutory sites system as Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS). Once survey work and subsequent assessment has been completed, management action can then be targeted to those sites where it is most urgently needed.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 45 OBJECTIVE NE12 Implementation and monitoring
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS AND LAND Please refer to the Implementation section, which MANAGERS, TO HELP THEM MANAGE THEIR details: LAND SYMPATHETICALLY • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved. Action • The key partner organisations. NE12.1 Assist with applications to grant schemes such as Environmental Stewardship and • The role of the JAC. the English Woodland Grant Scheme. • The timescale and priority for action. NE12.2 Provide a flexible package of assistance including advice, grant aid, direct works or • The mechanisms for measuring the performance NATURAL ENVIRONMENT NATURAL management agreements, as appropriate, of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the to enable owners to manage or enhance AONB. biodiversity on their land (see also OBJECTIVE AG2.2).
NE12.3 Demonstrate ‘best practice’ in managing land for nature conservation.
NE12.4 Support skills training initiatives, where appropriate.
Near Gilling
46 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.3.3 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
The historic heritage Information
The Howardian Hills has a remarkable number of Physical remains from the many phases of settlement archaeological remains and historic features, testifying and land management are everywhere in the landscape to the continuity of settlement and land use. Prehistoric and often occur side-by-side or overlay each other. burial mounds and earthworks, Roman settlements Some of these are easy to see, such as the large and roads, medieval castles and monasteries, country houses and extensive parklands of the 18th historic villages, churches and churchyards, country century, which are key features of the Howardian Hills houses and their extensive parklands, woodlands, landscape. Many more features are hidden from view, fields, rural industries and many smaller features all often in woodlands or arable fields, and yet more still contribute to the area’s special character. As well as remain to be discovered. their historic interest, these features are often also important as wildlife habitat and for their contribution An archaeological survey of the AONB carried out in to the Howardian Hills landscape as a whole. A fuller 1993 (9) sets the scene as known at the time, but more HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT description of the historic evolution of the area can is being discovered through projects such as aerial be found in the Supplementary Technical Information photographic mapping and woodland surveys (17, 18, document on the CD, with information also available 19). Archaeology is very difficult to identify completely in the Historic Environment Study report (9). The however and there are likely to be many sites and Howardian Hills Landscape report (6) provides a historic features which have yet to be found or their description of vernacular building styles. importance fully recognised. These must not be lost merely because their location or importance is not As well as the physical historic remains there are also known. Their management needs must also be included the cultural traditions that have developed over the in any strategy to conserve and enhance the historic centuries. Values associated with a long history of environment. religious activity and farming in the area are still strong, despite modern patterns of population movement and In addition to surveys to target particular areas social change. or monuments of interest, there is also a need to understand the pattern, origin and inter-relationship By studying these historic features, buildings and of the AONB’s landscape heritage more deeply. It can cultural traditions it is possible to show how the be difficult to understand why, for example, a small landscape has been shaped over many thousands of woodland or group of pasture fields is found in a years. All the elements of the landscape, apart from particular place. The completion of a Historic Landscape geological landform and rivers, are the product of human Characterisation survey of the AONB should therefore activity. They reflect the lifestyle of the rural population be a priority, in order to assist with understanding the and show the collective results of its work on the land components of the present landscape. Incorporating the and the religious practices over the centuries. This results into the Local Landscape Priorities (see Section evolution continues today, as new generations shape the 2.7) will then help to ensure that the defining elements countryside for their individual and varied purposes. The of the historic landscape are conserved or enhanced, change in farming, land management and population has as well as providing information to contribute to the been dramatic since the1950s, although there have been mapping of the ‘green infrastructure’ of the AONB. many other periods of significant change, particularly during the past 300 years. The key challenge now is Many structures in the AONB are Listed Buildings and to ensure that the link between the present and the as such their condition can be monitored via a Buildings past is not lost, as without knowledge of the past it is at Risk Register. Both Ryedale and Hambleton Districts difficult to understand the present or plan for the future compile a local Register, as does English Heritage from a (particularly in view of climate change). national perspective.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 47 English Heritage has recently published the first Protection of historic sites Register of Heritage at Risk, which includes Scheduled and buildings Monuments, Listed Buildings and Registered Parks and Gardens (20). It is important that regular surveys are Some archaeological sites and historic buildings are undertaken to update these Registers and provide a afforded statutory protection, as Scheduled Monuments prioritised programme for action. and Listed Buildings respectively. This only covers a small number of sites and buildings however and it is vital that all the nationally-important sites/structures in OBJECTIVE HE1 the AONB are given appropriate statutory protection. IMPROVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE AONB’S: English Heritage is the agency responsible for • ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS designating the current Scheduled Monuments and • HISTORIC BUILDINGS Listed Buildings. The Heritage Protection Review, if • CULTURAL HISTORY enacted by legislation, proposes alterations to the • THE INTER-RELATIONSHIP OF THESE system of designation and the introduction of different FEATURES IN THE WIDER LANDSCAPE names for designations. There would be a single Register of Heritage Assets, compiled at a national Action level by English Heritage. District Councils would then HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT be encouraged to prepare Local Lists of ‘second tier’ HE1.1 Complete a Historic Landscape sites, using the same criteria of historic, architectural Characterisation survey of the Howardian and archaeological importance. Sites and structures Hills. for which statutory protection is not appropriate may require other measures. HE1.2 Revise the Local Landscape and Historic Environment Priorities (see Section 2.7) to Information on the historic resource of the AONB is take account of the results of the Historic being received constantly and it is important that Landscape Characterisation Survey. this is incorporated into the County Council’s Historic Environment Record, so as to assist in management HE1.3 Encourage research projects to address decisions (see OBJECTIVE HE1.5). This illustrates the identified gaps in knowledge. Priorities important role the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) can include: play when it becomes aware of new sites: providing • Industries. information to the County/District Councils and English • Prehistoric burials. Heritage, and then discussing management with • Patterns of medieval settlement and landowners and managers. farming. • Historic parklands. All the currently known sites where on-going or enhanced management action is considered a high HE1.4 Encourage regular surveys of built heritage priority are shown in Figure 5 and listed as Local Historic to identify important or distinctive building Environment Priorities in Section 2.7 of the Plan. groups, individual structures, architectural features and Buildings at Risk. OBJECTIVE HE2
HE1.5 Promote the recording of local history and ENSURE APPROPRIATE STATUTORY PROTECTION traditions and pass information to the FOR ALL NATIONALLY IMPORTANT MONUMENTS, County Historic Environment Record. BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES IN THE AONB
HE1.6 Convene an annual stakeholders forum Action to discuss/guide research projects and opportunities. HE2.1 Monitor progress of the Heritage Protection Review and input to the process locally as appropriate.
48 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Map, Figure 5 (Cultural Heritage sites) HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 49 Interpretation The ethos of community understanding, interpretation and management is at the heart of the Cultural and Many historic and archaeological remains are obscured Natural Development Opportunity (CAN DO) Partnership, from view – either buried in the ground or overgrown which covers parts of the AONB and adjoining North features that are now forgotten. The key to effective York Moors National Park. The Partnership received a conservation is to ensure that local people and land Heritage Lottery grant in 2008, for a 5-year programme managers know what features are present in their of community interpretation events and management locality and appreciate why they are important for works linked to the cultural and natural environment of understanding how their settlement looks today. the area. Features that are now taken for granted were all made or built for a particular reason – people need to know that reason so that they can understand the context of OBJECTIVE HE3 the feature. ENCOURAGE LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN THE
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT MONITORING, ADOPTION AND MANAGEMENT OF Giving archaeological remains and historic features a CULTURAL AND HISTORIC HERITAGE SITES higher profile will help people to understand their value and ensure that they are not damaged or destroyed by Action neglect or accident. Interpreting common features can help both local people and visitors to appreciate them by HE3.1 Work with communities, volunteer groups, putting them into context. The selective use of leaflets, schools, interest groups, businesses, information boards and signs in carefully chosen land managers and local organisations, locations can provide information on specific sites, as to encourage partnership action for well as interpreting the historic landscape. OBJECTIVE monitoring and management of features. AP2 in the Awareness and Promotion section suggests Actions that could be carried out to raise awareness of HE3.2 Deliver the CAN DO ‘Lime and Ice Project’ the existence and management of important cultural initiatives scheduled for the AONB. heritage features in the AONB. More could also be done to involve local people and volunteers in practical management work, in partnership with farmers and landowners. Such work links with Community Strategies and Local Area Agreements and helps to re-inforce a ‘sense of place’.
As with important wildlife sites, the sympathetic management of historical features also helps to support the rural economy. It maintains an attractive and interesting environment for visitors and provides employment for local craftsmen.
Restoration work, Howsham Mill
50 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Management of the historic The recognition and management of archaeological environment features in woodland has generally improved in recent years. Earthworks are being managed by leaving open The long-term conservation of the historic environment ground after felling, although more recent thinking of the AONB depends on sympathetic day-to-day indicates that a high canopy cover is often better as management arising from the economic well-being it prevents encroachment by bracken. Such work is and goodwill of Estates, farms and individual owners. carried out under Forestry Commission guidelines when A basic measure of protection is afforded by the private woodlands are thinned or felled. The Forestry cross-compliance conditions of the Single Payment Commission has also prepared a Cultural Heritage Scheme (SPS), together with Scheduling and Listing Strategy, to guide the management of the many features for archaeological features and buildings respectively. on the land it owns or leases. Limekilns and smaller Repair and enhancement depends very much however ‘built’ features are still however largely neglected and on the prevailing economic climate and the willingness in many cases becoming damaged by tree growth. The of owners to contribute match-funding resources. Joint Advisory Committee has instigated a programme HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT Information and appreciation of the heritage is also of works to help prevent further deterioration and, in vital, as described above, as this can foster the desire to some cases, carry out restoration work. The preparation manage features sympathetically. of conservation plans for individual sites (similar to those prepared by the Forestry Commission and English The completion and analysis of a Historic Landscape Heritage) would assist with the process of conserving Characterisation survey (OBJECTIVES HE1.1 and both Scheduled and non-Scheduled sites. HE1.2) will help identify areas of generic landscape type, allowing resources to be targeted on maintaining Many of the more extensive designed landscapes and conserving the features such as walls, hedges, field of the Howardian Hills are still under single family patterns and parkland that define that landscape. The ownership and active management. The upkeep and conservation of these features or remains is likely to restoration of the large country houses relies on the be dependent upon their extent, current function and generation of income from the estate. In the past this context in the landscape. was principally from farming and forestry, but now tourism, leisure and business/residential lettings Ploughing continues to be the largest single threat to predominate. The maintenance of an attractive parkland archaeological remains in the AONB. Many of the oldest landscape is key to many of these new ventures. sites in the Howardian Hills, for example prehistoric Estates such as Castle Howard therefore have extensive barrows and enclosures, are visible only as cropmarks programmes of restoration work, often in partnership within arable fields. The continued ploughing of these with English Heritage, for the features that define sites causes incremental damage and progressive loss their landscapes. Not all designed landscapes are of historic integrity. English Heritage has completed as extensive as Castle Howard or Newburgh Priory a national survey of all statutorily-protected heritage however, as owners of much smaller country houses assets (20) and sites that are currently ploughed have also developed their own areas of parkland. Many of been placed in the High Risk category. The Heritage these are now forgotten or fragmented, for example at Protection Review proposes the removal of Class 1 Swinton Grange, Hildenley and Wiganthorpe, but they (i.e. automatic) Consent for the ploughing of Scheduled are still an important component of the landscape and Monuments. If introduced then this measure should social history and therefore worthy of conservation. prevent further deterioration and damage. Other The preparation of conservation/management plans features which no longer have an economic function for designed landscapes would help develop a better within farmland, for example boundary stones and understanding and appreciation of their significance, as limekilns, are generally suffering from neglect or well as strategic planning of conservation effort and accidental damage by machinery.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 51 resources. They would also enable opportunities for Orchards were once common in the AONB but only significant new enterprises to be assessed in a holistic remnants now remain. They used to be of significant way, as in the recent Conservation Management Plan for commercial value but any remaining trees now tend to the Castle Howard Estate. be old and unmanaged. Those orchards that do survive may contain examples of old fruit tree species that are The history of religious and private Estates in the now rare. It is important that old orchards are conserved Howardian Hills has resulted in a large stock of for their genetic diversity and their trees managed to traditional stone-and-pantile farmhouses and farm ensure their survival. Training courses on restorative buildings. Many of these are Listed Buildings but the pruning have been run in the AONB and new commercial severe decline in farm incomes between 1997 and 2003 uses for apples might assist a return to management. put pressure on their maintenance and upkeep. Changes in farming practice also mean that many old farm Grant aid regimes are essential in helping to conserve buildings are of limited use in modern agriculture. The and enhance the historic heritage of the AONB. Natural cross-compliance conditions of the SPS provide a level England’s agri-environment schemes are potentially able HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT of protection to ranges of traditional farm buildings, to help tackle some of the issues described above, with whilst stabilisation and repair has been completed relevant options available in both the Entry Level and in some cases with funding from agri-environment Higher Level schemes. The North York Moors, Coast and schemes. Sympathetic conversion to other appropriate Hills LEADER programme will be an important source uses can also be an effective means of conservation of assistance for community recording, management (see OBJECTIVE D7 in the Development section). and interpretation of local cultural heritage. Targeted ‘Mothballing’ important structures (by keeping them advice and local sources of grant aid (for example to basically weatherproof) should also be considered, concentrate on Scheduled Monuments at Risk) will pending the identification of a suitable new use. also be necessary, if more widespread conservation of important features is to be realised. The JAC has The conservation of residential Listed Buildings in achieved considerable success with its own AONB villages is somewhat less of a concern. Alterations to Project Fund, which provides one-off assistance for these buildings are covered by national legislation and small-scale projects. These capital works are not funded the recent strength of the housing market, combined by Entry Level Stewardship and may not qualify for the with effective control by the District Councils, has more-targeted Higher Level Stewardship. The JAC’s generally resulted in high standards of maintenance. resources will therefore be particularly important in There is however a need to carry out further evaluation, ‘adding value’ and will be targeted at specific local designation and subsequent enhancement of projects where other grant schemes are not available or Conservation Areas in villages. OBJECTIVE D2 in the have not been taken up. The JAC will also be actively Development section encourages joint-working to involved in reviews of the Environmental Stewardship achieve this. Scheme, to ensure that it offers maximum opportunities for land managers in the AONB (see OBJECTIVE AG1). The conservation and restoration of historic roadside furniture such as fingerposts and mileposts has progressed significantly in recent years. The Joint Advisory Committee, in partnership with the highway authority, has instigated a programme of maintenance and repair for these important local features. OBJECTIVE RT4 in the Roads, Transport and Traffic Management section contains Actions for continuing this programme.
52 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE HE4 Implementation and monitoring
ENSURE THAT THE DIVERSITY, QUALITY AND Please refer to the Implementation section, DISTINCTIVENESS OF THE AONB’S HISTORIC which details: HERITAGE IS CONSERVED AND ENHANCED • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved. Action • The key partner organisations. HE4.1 Provide proactive historic landscape conservation and management advice to • The role of the JAC. farmers, landowners and land managers. • The timescale and priority for action. HE4.2 Encourage farmers and land managers to enter archaeological features into • The mechanisms for measuring the performance HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT appropriate options in agri-environment of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the schemes. AONB.
HE4.3 Encourage the preparation of Heritage Partnership Agreements for Heritage Assets, should the new system be introduced.
HE4.4 Encourage the preparation of conservation/ management plans for historic Parks, including the identification of iconic views in/out.
HE4.5 Provide a flexible package of assistance including advice, grant aid or direct works, as appropriate, to assist owners with the repair and conservation of archaeological and historic features, including those identified asLocal Historic Environment Priorities (see Section 2.7).
HE4.6 Demonstrate ‘best practice’ in managing land or features of cultural heritage value.
HE4.7 Support skills training initiatives, where appropriate.
The Four Faces, Castle Howard
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 53 HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
Hollow-way, Stonegrave
54 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.4 LIVING AND WORKING IN THE HOWARDIAN HILLS
Near Caulkleys Bank, Nunnington
Timber harvester, Hovingham
Village shop Nunnington LIVING AND WORKING IN THE HOWARDIAN HILLS LIVING AND WORKING IN THE HOWARDIAN
Slingsby
AONB school project
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 55 LIVING AND WORKING IN THE HOWARDIAN HILLS LIVING AND WORKING IN THE HOWARDIAN
56 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.4.1 LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Section 2.3 (A Rich Heritage) describes the physical An overview of the economic and employment situation character of the AONB landscape and its special within the AONB can be found in the Development features. The physical landscape however is only part section of the Supplementary Technical Information of the equation that makes the Howardian Hills what it document on the CD. is. To the many people who live here it is simply ‘home’ and their social and economic wellbeing is an important Key issues factor in conserving and enhancing the AONB’s ‘sense of place’. During a major community consultation programme in 2003, local residents highlighted the issues that were Description of the AONB particularly important to them. Subsequent community consultation initiatives, such as for the CAN DO
The Howardian Hills is sparsely populated, with Partnership, LEADER Local Action Group formation and LOCAL COMMUNITIES approximately 9,300 people living within the AONB and the AONB Parish Planning events, have confirmed that the villages immediately adjacent to it. The majority of these are still relevant. These issues form the basis for this population is concentrated within a number of small many of the Objectives and Actions contained in the villages and hamlets. Ampleforth (including the Abbey Management Plan and can be broadly summarised as and College) is the largest village, with 1,300 residents. follows: Only four other villages however contain more than 500 people (1). The scattering of villages is interspersed with • Traffic – Through-traffic, speeding traffic and numerous individual farms. ineffective methods of control are issues on which all communities would like to see action. The most detailed population statistics date from the A full description of the issues involved is contained 2001 Census (21) and these indicate that, in general in the Roads, Transport and Traffic Management terms, the AONB had a relatively stable population section – see Actions contained in OBJECTIVES RT1 structure over the preceding 10 years. The proportion and RT2. of 0-44 year-olds remained static at around 54%. Some outward migration of local 16-24 year-olds is OBJECTIVE RT1 believed to have occurred, perhaps as a result of limited employment opportunities, poor public transport links DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO SPECIFIC TRAFFIC and the lack of affordable housing. Although the number ROUTING PROBLEMS IN AND AROUND THE of people employed within agriculture and forestry AONB, TO DISCOURAGE THROUGH-TRAFFIC AND has declined significantly in recent years, it is still a ENSURE THAT OTHER TRAFFIC USES THE MOST significant employment category within the AONB and APPROPRIATE ROUTE consequently many of the villages have the feel of rural farming communities to a greater or lesser extent. This OBJECTIVE RT2 situation is re-inforced by the existence of large Estates within the area, each of which has its own ‘estate DEVELOP INITIATIVES TO MONITOR AND ADDRESS village’ and community. Many of the villages have a TRAFFIC AND DRIVER BEHAVIOUR ISSUES IN THE primary school, but secondary schools are located in AONB or near the market towns of Easingwold, Malton and Helmsley. These towns provide the main focus for local employment, shopping, health facilities and recreational activity, with only limited (and declining) services available in individual villages. Transport links between villages and the market towns are variable but generally sparse, with some community transport services also available.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 57 • Transport – Although bus services and community • Village services – The larger villages in the AONB transport have improved in some parts of the AONB generally have either a shop or a pub. Many of these in recent years, further work is required in order to are struggling however in the current economic develop a network more tailored to modern needs. climate. Four of the remaining Post Office branches OBJECTIVE RT3 in the Roads, Transport and Traffic in or near to the AONB were closed in 2008, leaving Management section encourages the use of more Ampleforth as the only remaining permanent Post sustainable modes of transport, when travel is Office within an AONB community. The villages that needed. The focus of the County Council’s second had branches closed now have a Mobile Post Office, Local Transport Plan (LTP2) is making services more but its pattern of stops is based on historic factors accessible to people closer to where they live, and not modern needs. The loss of any village service thereby reducing the need to travel. within the AONB is serious, because of their relative
LOCAL COMMUNITIES scarcity and role at the heart of village communities. OBJECTIVE RT3 It forces residents to travel to local market towns, at a time when travel is increasingly expensive and PROMOTE THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE MODES OF Local Transport Plan policies encourage the taking TRANSPORT AS ALTERNATIVES TO THE PRIVATE of services to people rather than the opposite. This CAR is a national issue however and, whilst the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) is unable to assist directly, it will continue to lobby Government via the National • Housing – The lack of affordable housing for young Association for AONBs (NAAONB). It will also, when people and suitable housing for the elderly are appropriate, work with Local Authorities and other major concerns. The demographic profile of many partners to develop new and innovative methods of villages is becoming distorted because of the high delivering local services, e.g. expanding the Mobile cost of private housing and the lack of diversity of Post Office service. SeeOBJECTIVE LC1. housing types. A description of the issues involved is contained in the Development section – see Actions • Local employment – There is concern that jobs in contained in OBJECTIVE D9. traditional rural industries are declining, with few local replacement jobs available. Younger people OBJECTIVE D9 seeking work are forced to travel or move out of the area, either to local market towns or further ENCOURAGE THE INCREASED PROVISION OF afield. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of LOCAL NEEDS/AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE local affordable housing for young people wanting AONB to live and work in the area. OBJECTIVE D6 in the Development section seeks to encourage sustainable new and existing businesses in the AONB, whilst OBJECTIVES NE12, HE4, AG2 and FW7 encourage the support of appropriate skills training initiatives.
Shared ownership housing, Hovingham
58 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE D6 • Community influence –In the past many communities felt that they had little influence SUPPORT BUSINESS AND DIVERSIFICATION over the issues that affected them most, such as OPPORTUNITIES LINKED TO THE SPECIAL those described in the preceding paragraphs. The QUALITIES OF THE AONB continued development of Community Strategies, Local Strategic Partnerships and Parish Plans has started to address this situation however and many • Tranquillity and natural beauty – The area is communities are now actively planning for their recognised as being peaceful, rural and safe, with future needs. The JAC will continue to assist with an unspoilt natural richness. All Objectives within initiatives that address those issues that are central the Management Plan should be seeking to conserve to its remit, whilst working in partnership with other
and enhance this quality, whilst at the same time organisations on associated issues. Local endeavour LOCAL COMMUNITIES encouraging sustainable social and economic growth. and community action will however be the main OBJECTIVE D3 in the Development section contains driving force in making initiatives truly successful. Actions to target specific elements of tranquillity. • Sustainability – Developing more sustainable • Isolation – Many of the above factors combine to ways of living can also help to tackle many of create a sense of isolation for some people. This is the concerns described above. Sustainability is a increased by the lack of activities and community complex subject and a full examination of all the spirit that was highlighted in many villages. issues is beyond the scope of this Management OBJECTIVE LC1 will assist local communities with Plan. It is however one of the key concepts upon enhancement projects that can bring villagers which all the Objectives in the Management together and help develop this community spirit. Plan hang and OBJECTIVE SF2 in the Sustainable OBJECTIVES AP1 and AP2 in the Awareness and Future section contains actions to promote Promotion section are designed to raise awareness of sustainability and disseminate good practice. the Special Qualities of the AONB and thereby help foster a sense of community. OBJECTIVE SF2
PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY AND SUPPORT OBJECTIVE AP1 APPROPRIATE PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT THE AONB RAISE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE AONB DESIGNATION, ITS IMPORTANCE AND THE ROLE OF THE JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
OBJECTIVE AP2
PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE AONB
Tranquillity, Barton-le-Street
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 59 The role of the Some of the projects already identified by communities Joint Advisory Committee are relatively small in scale and might be implemented with minimum effort. These small projects can however As indicated, the Joint Advisory Committee is not have a major impact on communities, not only improving the lead agency for many of the above issues. the physical environment but also building/enhancing Organisations and partnerships already exist for many community spirit. Isolation is a concern in many villages of the projects that were suggested during the 2003 and a programme of community-led projects would be community consultation events, e.g. dog waste bins, an ideal way to address this. A number of current and recycling, skills training, enforcing speed limits, crime emerging initiatives, such as the CAN DO Partnership reduction, etc. Nonetheless, these issues impact on and LEADER programme, could assist with both the character of the AONB and its communities and the community development and financial support.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES JAC therefore has a vital role to play in adding value to relevant local partnerships. It can act as a link between The relatively large number of primary schools within local communities and other organisations, providing the area is also an ideal opportunity to work with the specialist local knowledge and lobbying for action. Local next generation of AONB residents. Learning about promotion can also help with identifying and carrying the area in which they live should be a part of their out projects, in order to achieve widespread success. education and will help them understand the importance of their local environment and community. The AONB Local Strategic Partnerships are the main opportunity also offers opportunities for practical learning outside for communities to identify and seek action on the the classroom. A successful 5-year Heritage Lottery broader issues in their area. Community Plans for Fund-supported programme (the AONB Discovery both the Ryedale and Hambleton Districts (22 & Project) worked with all the local primary schools and 23) have been produced and these contain many also ran a Junior Ranger Club providing environmental aspirations and objectives that are also covered in the activities in school holidays. OBJECTIVE AP2 in the AONB Management Plan, such as environment, local Awareness and Promotion section proposes the services and transport issues. Achievement of AONB continuation and development of this programme. Management Plan Objectives therefore contributes to the achievement of Community Plan targets, and vice OBJECTIVE AP2 versa. Information from AONB community consultation events is passed to the relevant groups preparing and PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE BIODIVERSITY implementing these and other plans/strategies. This AND CULTURAL HERITAGE INTEREST OF THE AONB allows for close partnership working in order to achieve mutual goals. The process of producing Parish Plans allows individual communities to identify their specific local issues and develop more detailed proposals to address them. Many of the villages in the AONB have already completed Parish Plans and the JAC will encourage and where appropriate assist the remaining villages with the preparation of Plans.
60 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE LC1 Implementation and monitoring
ASSIST LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH IDENTIFYING Please refer to the Implementation section, which AND IMPLEMENTING PROJECTS THAT details: MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THEIR CHARACTER, SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY PRIDE • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved.
Action • The key partner organisations.
LC1.1 Lobby Government on relevant national • The role of the JAC. rural issues, via the NAAONB.
• The timescale and priority for action. LOCAL COMMUNITIES LC1.2 Pass information and recommendations from community/consultation events to the • The mechanisms for measuring the performance relevant organisations/agencies. of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the AONB. LC1.3 Work as appropriate with partner organisations to develop innovative ways of delivering services to local people.
LC1.4 Encourage villages to prepare Parish Plans, including within them projects to enhance their community and its environment.
LC1.5 Encourage implementation of projects contained in Parish Plans or identified during community/consultation events. Construction of wildlife area by children and parents, LC1.6 Link local communities to sources of Welburn School advice and/or grant aid for the completion of projects and maintenance of viable community buildings.
LC1.7 Establish an AONB Village Forum, to link AONB communities and demonstrate co-operative ideas and ‘good practice’ examples.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 61 LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Stream dipping, Hovingham Park
62 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.4.2 AGRICULTURE
Background The future of farming and food
The process of change in the agricultural sector has The profitability of agriculture has always been volatile. been well-documented. After the Second World A complex set of inter-relationships determines which War, pressures for more efficient food production led sectors of agriculture are profitable at any one time, and to intensification of farming practices and greater this will continue to be the case. Regulatory pressure AGRICULTURE mechanisation. The consequent impacts on the is likely to increase however, with an emphasis on landscape were dramatic, with the loss of many features environmental protection (particularly in the areas of such as hedges, trees, ponds and areas of unimproved pesticides and water quality). Likewise, changes to the grassland. These were replaced by a more open and less CAP may see more resources diverted from the Single diverse landscape, more suited to the modern farming Payment Scheme into environmental enhancement and methods. In the Howardian Hills this landscape change rural development initiatives. was somewhat variable, with some areas undergoing significant hedgerow removal whilst others incurred only The precise effects of these policy changes, combined minor change. with the commodity/input price fluctuations, are difficult to predict accurately. It is clear however that they have The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been the potential to result in some significant changes for a major influence on agriculture since the 1970’s and farmers in the Howardian Hills. The aim should be to continues to be the main support mechanism for farmers ensure a long-term future for farming, based around in the UK. Having initially provided subsidies to produce diverse, modern and adaptable businesses. These need large quantities of food, the system has now evolved to to be meeting the highest standards of environmental provide support for environmentally sustainable farming protection, whilst contributing to the rural economy and and rural development. delivering high-quality products.
Agriculture in the Howardian Hills A profitable and thriving agricultural and land management industry is vital to the future economic, With approximately 80% of the AONB categorised environmental and social wellbeing of the Howardian as farmland, it is inevitable that agriculture, in all Hills. The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) believes that its forms, has a major influence on the appearance the future lies in maintaining this agricultural and land of the landscape. It also provides a living for local management framework. Non-agricultural enterprises families, many of whom have been farming their land will have an important role to play, but in general they for generations. The contribution of agriculture is should be ancillary to the production of livestock and the therefore vital in both managing the special landscape growing of arable crops (for whatever end market). The of the AONB and as an integral part of the culture and key role of the JAC must be to ensure that profitability is community of the area. The AONB landscape and its achieved sustainably, in harmony with the character of wildlife resources have inevitably changed during the the AONB rather than destroying it. periods of agricultural revolution. The stabilising role of the large Estates is important in this context, as is the The mechanisms that will support this sustainable rural influence of country sports, in particular game shooting. development are largely determined at national and This can be an important factor in land management international level. The JAC has an important lobbying decisions, as much of the AONB is actively managed role to play however, to state the case for farmers and for shooting. Detailed statistics on farming in the AONB rural businesses in the Howardian Hills. and the patterns of cropping, farm structure, income and employment are available in the Supplementary Technical Information document on the CD.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 63 OBJECTIVE AG1 In addition to the basic protection offered by the cross-compliance conditions of the Single Payment ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT AND UPTAKE Scheme, agri-environment schemes are a valuable OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT MECHANISMS tool in conserving the landscape, cultural heritage and THAT ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE FARM AND RURAL biodiversity value of the AONB. In 2006 approximately BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 45% of the total land area of the AONB was managed AGRICULTURE under a Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) Action agreement, although not all the land or features concerned would have been within a specific CSS AG1.1 Work with Government, via the NAAONB, management option. to further develop rural support mechanisms and agri-environment These CSS agreements are gradually expiring and schemes. being converted to agreements in either Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) or Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), AG1.2 Ensure that the Howardian Hills AONB which is underpinned with ELS. remains a priority area for funding from Government agencies. ELS offers a range of simple land management options and has the potential to deliver a broad range of AG1.3 Promote Government rural support environmental benefits across the AONB. The options mechanisms to farmers and landowners. chosen are at the land managers’ discretion however and the JAC has little influence on the decisions made. Approximately 60% of the land area of the AONB is in Farming and conservation priorities ELS (it can run alongside CSS) and it is hoped that this figure will reach at least 80% in the future. As described in A Rich Heritage (Section 2.3), many of the important elements of the AONB’s landscape HLS offers more options for addressing land are found on farmland. As well as the key historic management issues, as well as payments for capital environment and biodiversity sites (the Local Priority items. It operates via a targeting mechanism so as Sites), features such as hedges, ancient trees, copses, to deliver high-value environmental benefits, and the parkland, grassland and traditional farm buildings majority of the AONB is within a Target Area. Although combine to give each part of the AONB its own principally targeted at sites of high biodiversity or particular character. The importance of the ‘wider cultural heritage value/potential, agreements operate on countryside’ for biodiversity, cultural heritage a whole-farm basis and often include a wide variety of conservation and climate change adaptation, and options. Because of its targeted nature, it is unlikely that the assistance available to farmers from the JAC, is HLS agreements will cover as large an area as the old explained in the Natural Environment and Historic CSS agreements. Environment sections. OBJECTIVES NE9, NE11 and HE4 are particularly relevant to landowners and managers. Resource protection is one of the objectives of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, aiming to reduce The efficient management and maintenance of the sediment run-off and diffuse pollution of watercourses. Public Rights of Way network is also important, so Initiatives such as Catchment Sensitive Farming are that both local people and visitors can appreciate the likely to increase in importance, in parallel with more natural beauty of the AONB and the role that farmers restrictive legislation and the commercial need to and landowners play in maintaining it. OBJECTIVES RA4 safeguard soil and nutrient reserves. Likewise, the and RA6 in the Recreation, Access and Tourism section provision of a full range of ecosystem services (clean are particularly relevant. air and water, biodiversity, food production, etc) will become of increasing political importance for farmers and land managers.
64 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 The AONB Unit provides an important service in giving OBJECTIVE AG2 advice on conservation grants and countryside management to farmers and landowners. This often SUPPORT FARM BUSINESSES IN THE AONB includes assistance with grant application processes, BY PROVIDING CONSERVATION ADVICE AND which can be time-consuming and too specialist for APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE farmers to do themselves. This service has expanded AGRICULTURE in recent years with joint projects based at the North Action York Moors National Park, such as the Native Woodland Development Project and CAN DO Partnership. AG2.1 Provide specialist advice and ‘sign-posting’ on conservation grants, countryside In addition to the grant incentives offered by the management and farm diversification Government, the JAC has achieved considerable within the AONB. success with its own AONB Project Fund. This provides one-off assistance for small-scale countryside AG2.2 Provide a flexible package of assistance management projects. These capital works are including advice, grant aid or direct not funded by ELS and the JAC’s resources will be works, as appropriate, for small-scale particularly important in ‘adding value’. Resources conservation projects, particularly: will be targeted at specific local projects where other • Local Landscape Priorities (Section 2.7) grant schemes are not available or have not been • Local Natural Environment Priorities taken up. The JAC will also be actively involved in (Section 2.7) reviews of the Environmental Stewardship Scheme, • Local Historic Environment Priorities to ensure that it offers maximum opportunities for (Section 2.7) land managers in the AONB (see OBJECTIVE AG1). • Local Recreation Priorities (Section 2.7) • Mature and species-rich hedges • Copses and small woods • Parklands • Veteran trees • Individual field and hedgerow trees • Stone walls • Ponds, lakes and wetlands • Rivers and streams • Key Biodiversity Action Plan species • Traditional farm buildings • Archaeological sites
AG2.3 Demonstrate examples of ‘best practice’ via the AONB website, events, leaflets, etc.
AG2.4 Support skills training initiatives, where appropriate.
Planting a new hedge with AONB grant aid
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 65 Alternative farm enterprises • Adding value to farm produce – This is often considered primarily in relation to livestock Farm diversification could be described as any activity, production, when small numbers of animals are other than ‘traditional’ crop or livestock production, slaughtered and processed locally before being sold which generates income for the ‘farm business unit’. direct from the farm or at Farmer’s Markets. This As such, many of the farms in the AONB already have option is available to farmers in the AONB, as there AGRICULTURE some kind of alternative enterprise, often involving the are two small local abattoirs and a Farmers Market. use of personal skills in another full or part-time job Many farms are producing arable crops however, for (e.g. secretary, teacher, HGV driver). The challenging which on-farm processing opportunities are limited. agricultural climate has however encouraged or forced Links between producers of commodity arable many farmers and landowners to look at more radical crops and local food manufacturers would need to ideas for developing their businesses. be created in this instance. Local processing and marketing can produce high-quality regional foods Some of the more popular alternative enterprises for that sell for premium prices, as well as reducing farmers, including their potential impacts on the AONB livestock transport and ‘food miles’. A number of new landscape and current extent/significance within the farm shops have opened in the last five years, whilst AONB, are: village shop outlets now increasingly stock local- grown food. • Tourism-related ventures – These can include farm Bed and Breakfast and holiday cottage • Horse-related ventures – The most common accommodation, as well as caravan/camping sites of these is livery, with a farm supplying land and other leisure facilities such as fishing lakes or and/or a stable, together with a defined amount Open Farms. There is scope to create links between of labour and materials to care for the horses. these and ‘local food’ initiatives. The development of Associated facilities might include outdoor riding holiday cottages has been one of the most popular arenas or cross-country riding courses. The latter farm diversification ventures, but the focus now can also be created as stand-alone ventures and tends to be on quality rather than quantity. Holiday the relative lack of bridleways in the AONB might cottage and B&B accommodation is quite sparse but make this an attractive venture for some farmers. relatively widespread in the AONB; several caravan Cross-country courses can generally be integrated sites lie within or on the perimeter of the area; there sympathetically into the landscape, although is one complex of fishing lakes. care is needed with associated facilities such as horsebox parking areas. The satisfactory division • Contract farming – Farm businesses looking to of fields into small paddocks for livery horses is expand may take on more land on a whole-farm less easy to achieve however. There are several contract basis, or provide contract services to carry livery and/or hiring yards in the AONB, but at out specialist operations (e.g. crop spraying). On present the impact of horse-related developments the other hand, farmers looking to release time and on the AONB landscape is relatively minor. financial assets may buy-in contract services for some or all of the operations on their land. Large • Co-operatives – These can range in scale from contracting businesses tend to have larger machinery, buyer groups and ‘machinery rings’ through to large due to the economies of scale available, which can enterprises such as dairies and processing plants. lead to transport problems on narrow country roads. Many farmers already work in collaboration to some Contract/collaborative farming arrangements are degree and the Government is keen to encourage this common in the AONB. further, as a way of improving business efficiency. The AONB has no large co-operative ventures such as dairies, but there are a number of marketing and buying groups operating locally.
66 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 • Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) – HLS, • Woodland planting – Some areas of farmland, combined with Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), perhaps on more marginal ground, could be converted is the most comparable replacement for the to woodland to create income from a small farm Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which was shoot and/or wood production. Grant aid is available popular with AONB farmers and land managers. from the Forestry Commission and the Howardian HLS is more targeted at specific sites and Hills has a relatively local skills base of woodland AGRICULTURE management issues and is therefore less likely managers and craftsmen. OBJECTIVE FW5 in the to be viable as a widespread option. Attractive Forestry and Woodland section gives more detail on payment rates are however available, for a wide new woodland planting. With 83% of the farmland in range of land management options and capital the AONB being Grade 3 (24), new woodland planting works. 1% of the AONB is currently in HLS on agricultural land is generally limited to the poorer and it is anticipated that this is likely to rise to areas of fields. The rate of new planting is very low about 15%, as those Countryside Stewardship at present, but the issue of climate change and the agreements that offer the highest environmental commercial potential for carbon off-setting may benefits are converted to HLS agreements. change this in the future.
• Development of offices/workshops – Many • Crops for non-food uses – This covers a farms have buildings that are unsuitable for wide variety of both existing and new crops, for modern agricultural use or are redundant. These energy production or use in the chemical, fibre or may offer the possibility of conversion to office pharmaceutical industries. Agriculture could have accommodation, particularly for attractive ranges a major role to play in combating climate change, of stone-and-pantile buildings. Enterprises such as growing crops such as willow, miscanthus and workshops or caravan storage might be located in eucalyptus for energy production and wheat, sugar more modern buildings. The stock of farm buildings beet and oilseed rape for biofuels. An advantage with potential for re-use is an important resource to farmers of biofuel crops is that they can be for rural business development (and possibly produced using conventional farm machinery and affordable housing) within the Howardian Hills techniques. Some types of biomass crop should (subject to obtaining the necessary Planning and fit well in the agricultural landscape of the AONB, Building Regulations consents). Developments but appropriate crop choice and careful siting will to date in the AONB have concentrated on high- be needed in order to avoid negative impacts on quality office accommodation, with most of the the landscape. There may also be other potential best locations having already been converted. benefits – if suitable crops are appropriately sited Another important factor is that Government they could diversify the agricultural landscape and funding is no longer available for these projects. improve habitat connectivity. Although the potential of alternative crops is significant, the extent to which • Game shooting – Farms with areas of woodland biomass energy crops in particular are adopted will can develop small farm shoots, often with the largely depend on commodity prices and national shooting being let to a syndicate of local Guns. or international policies. At present only very small The activity can generate local income and areas of miscanthus and Short Rotation Coppice employment, which can be significant. Game willow are being grown in the AONB. The extent to cover crops planted in arable fields can also which standard agricultural crops such as wheat and benefit Biodiversity Action Plan priority farmland oilseed rape are currently being sold into the biofuels bird species, although they need to be carefully market is unknown. sited to avoid negative impacts on the landscape. There are many farm shoots in the AONB, whilst shooting on the large Estates is often on a more commercial basis or is for the owner’s enjoyment.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 67 • Specialist crops/livestock and organic farming Such a scheme would however need to be carefully – This includes horticultural or other intensive crops, targeted and provide worthwhile incentives if it was to where high outputs are possible from relatively small be successful. The growing of biomass/biofuel crops, areas of land. Investment in large new specialist as described above, would also fall into this category livestock buildings can be significant, but enterprises of climate change mitigation. These schemes are in the such as outdoor pig production require a relatively early stages of development and there are no known AGRICULTURE smaller outlay. Large areas of pig arcs can however examples in the AONB. have a negative impact on the landscape, and significant soil damage and erosion can also occur. Alternative farm enterprises are likely to be important Other specialist livestock enterprises include free- for the future economic and social wellbeing of the range hens, goats, alpacas, water buffalo and wild AONB. They can also play a major role in conserving boar. The area of horticultural crops in the AONB has and enhancing the environment and mitigating/adapting remained stable in the last few years, but organic to the potential impact of climate change. Many of farming is believed to be relatively uncommon. the development-type proposals put forward will need Outdoor pig rearing has declined significantly planning permission and are therefore considered by in recent years, but other alternative livestock the District Councils in the context of Local Plans/Local enterprises (free-range hens, milking goats and Development Frameworks. Government Planning Policy alpacas) are beginning to be seen. Statements and Guidance Notes, in particular PPS7, encourage positive policies in local and regional Plans, • Renewable energy generation – In addition to but a balance must still be struck between landscape the agricultural biomass and biofuel crops described conservation and the local economy. North Yorkshire above, energy can also be derived from hydro or wind County Council, together with the District Councils resources, bio-gas and woodland products. Wind and the NFU, produced a Planning Guide to Farm turbines are likely to be the most contentious of the Diversification in North Yorkshire (25). Although the renewable energy generating structures. Choosing policy framework has changed considerably since it the right technology at the correct scale, together was written, it does outline the principles of planning with appropriate siting and design, will be the key procedures and issues that farmers need to consider. to incorporating new structures into the AONB The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly, in partnership with landscape. OBJECTIVE D5 in the Development section Yorkshire Forward (the Regional Development Agency), provides further guidance on the issue of renewable published further useful guidance in 2003 (26). energy installations in the AONB. Renewable energy generation in the AONB is currently Financial support for some of the diversification relatively minimal, with only one small domestic enterprises described above is available from the wind turbine and a hydro-electric generator at Government’s Rural Development Plan for England Howsham Mill. There is a good market for firewood, (RDPE). The RDPE includes the Environmental and Ampleforth College has a biomass boiler. Stewardship Scheme (ES) and English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS), run by Natural England and • Climate change mitigation and adaptation the Forestry Commission respectively. There are also schemes – The increasing emphasis on addressing a number of schemes to improve the competitiveness the current and potential impacts of climate change of agricultural and forestry businesses and to develop is likely to provide future opportunities for land the rural economy, run by Yorkshire Forward. Natural managers. A regional carbon off-setting scheme is England runs the Energy Crops Scheme, which supports currently being developed, and there may also be the the planting of biomass crops. scope to consider a local adaptation scheme, e.g. floodwater storage to reduce downstream flooding.
68 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE AG3 buildings are also likely to be needed in the future to comply with legislation on animal welfare, hygiene ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FARM and pollution control. New farm buildings typically ENTERPRISES THAT CONSERVE AND ENHANCE use modern industrial designs and materials such as THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE AONB steel, concrete and corrugated fibre cement panels. It is usually possible however to obtain these materials AGRICULTURE Action in colours that resemble the appearance of traditional materials and which therefore integrate new buildings AG3.1 Adopt a positive approach to planning more comfortably into the landscape. control for appropriate farm diversification projects. OBJECTIVE AG4
AG3.2 Encourage participation in land-based ENSURE HIGH STANDARDS OF DESIGN AND climate change mitigation schemes, CAREFUL SITING OF ALL NEW FARM BUILDINGS such as a regional carbon off-setting AND INFRASTRUCTURE programme. Action AG3.3 Consider developing local climate change adaptation schemes, such as flood AG4.1 Support the construction of new farm alleviation projects. buildings and infrastructure where these are appropriate in scale and use high standards of design, careful siting and Farm buildings good landscaping measures.
Stone-and-pantile farm buildings are an attractive part AG4.2 Produce basic guidance on the design, of the traditional landscape of the Howardian Hills, siting, colour of materials and landscaping but in many cases they are now unsuitable for modern for new farm buildings and infrastructure. agricultural use and have been left to decay. These may develop a nature conservation interest, for example for bats or as nesting or roosting sites for barn owls (for Implementation and monitoring which the Howardian Hills is regionally important). The relevant legislation therefore needs to be considered Please refer to the Implementation section, when proposals are put forward for the conversion of old which details: farm buildings to alternative new uses. Such conversion should be encouraged where it can be undertaken • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved. sympathetically, the end use is appropriate to its location and the essential character of the building and • The key partner organisations. any conservation interest can be retained. OBJECTIVE D7 in the Development section covers the issue of re- • The role of the JAC. use of redundant farm buildings. • The timescale and priority for action. New farm buildings are typically large in scale and built of modern materials. Careful siting and design are • The mechanisms for measuring the performance needed if they are not to become intrusive features. of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the The rate of construction of new farm buildings has AONB. increased markedly in the last few years, often as farm businesses have developed new enterprises. New
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 69 AGRICULTURE
Stonegrave
70 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.4.3 FORESTRY AND WOODLAND
The importance of woodland As well as the percentage land cover of woodland, the approach adopted towards the harvesting/management At approximately 18%, woodland cover is one of the of that woodland is fundamental to the conservation defining features of the Howardian Hills landscape (see of the special quality of the AONB landscape. Forestry Figure 6). In addition to the continuous tree cover of management is generally quite active in the AONB, woodlands, the AONB also contains a significant number particularly on the large Estates. Clearfelling rates of in-field and boundary trees, designed parklands are approximately 30-40ha per year and 66% of the and areas of wood pasture, all of which contribute AONB is certified under the UK Woodland Assurance significantly to the well-wooded appearance of the Scheme (UKWAS). ‘Patch clearfelling’ and replanting landscape. Many of these individual trees are ‘veteran’ is still the most common form of harvesting, but or ‘ancient’, being several hundred years old and of high ‘continuous cover’ techniques are becoming more widely biodiversity and landscape value. A fuller description of used. These generally involve small-scale felling, the the woodland character of the area can be found in the creation of uneven-aged stands of trees (including Supplementary Technical Information document on the some on ‘long-term retention’) and the use of selective CD. harvesting. Such systems can have benefits for both the landscape and biodiversity, in that disruption and change FORESTRY AND WOODLAND In addition to its ecological value the woodland within are minimised and potential impacts are therefore the AONB also acts as an important store of carbon. It is reduced. Their adoption should not necessarily be probable that the land cover of the AONB is a net carbon universal however, as they are not suited to all soil types sequestrator, due to this high percentage of woodland or locations. Some species of flora and fauna rely on the cover. OBJECTIVE SF1 in the Sustainable Future section large areas of open space and internal variations created proposes the assessment of the carbon balance of land by ‘patch clearfelling’. The economics of woodland management and habitats in the AONB. management also indicate that ‘patch clearfelling’ needs to be retained as a key management option. Woodland cover
It is important to maintain and if possible increase OBJECTIVE FW1 woodland cover if the well-wooded appearance of the ENSURE THAT ALL WOODLAND FELLING AND AONB is to be retained. Forestry Commission policy (27) MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS RECOGNISE THE has always resisted the loss of woodland to agriculture SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE AONB and this trend has now effectively ceased. The small- scale permanent removal of trees is only permitted on Action particular sites, to protect or enhance their biodiversity or cultural heritage value. Examples include the re- FW1.1 Continue the consultation procedure creation of heathland and the management of ancient between the JAC and Forestry Commission, monuments. The level of new woodland planting in the for felling and woodland management AONB is generally low, as the soil quality and gentle proposals. topography of the Howardian Hills is particularly suited to agriculture. This means that special incentives are FW1.2 Encourage ‘continuous cover’ systems likely to be needed if it is considered that a higher rate where appropriate, to minimise the of new woodland planting should be encouraged, as potential impact of felling on the landscape happened in the past with the JIGSAW Challenge Fund. and biodiversity.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 71 Multi-objective forestry Multi-objective forestry can encompass a number of objectives: After a major shift towards coniferous tree species in the second half of the twentieth century, the balance • Economic returns from sustainable timber and wood is generally now turning back towards broadleaves. production. This is being driven by a combination of environmental, economic, policy and grant incentive factors. Many of • Management of currently neglected woodland. the woodlands planted or re-stocked as pure conifer plantations 50-60 years ago are now reaching economic • Biodiversity. felling age. Some of these have changed ownership, with new owners perhaps having different management • Game shooting. priorities. The factors influencing owners’ decisions on replanting may also have changed in emphasis. • High standards of landscape design in woodland Forestry Commission policy and grant incentives now planting, felling and re-stocking. put the emphasis on delivering multiple management objectives, including PAWS restoration, biodiversity • Recreation and public access. FORESTRY AND WOODLAND and public access. Wood production might only be one among many objectives, although delivering a significant • Conservation of cultural heritage features. increase in the production of woodfuel is also one of the Forestry Commission’s key targets. • Carbon storage.
The result of these changes is that most coniferous The Forestry Commission has produced detailed woods are unlikely to be replanted with conifers on guidance in recent years, to help woodland managers the same scale after felling. Replanting now tends to combine commercial objectives with biodiversity, be with either pure broadleaves, or pure conifers with recreation, cultural heritage and other objectives. an element of broadleaves included for landscape This guidance resulted in the development of the UK or biodiversity reasons. National grant incentives Forestry Standard, which sets out basic principles for have greatly increased the rate of conversion of sustainable woodland management. The Joint Advisory Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) to Committee (JAC) believes that all woodland in the native broadleaved species over the last few years. The AONB should at least be managed in accordance with Forestry Commission is also committed to restoring all the UK Forestry Standard. Enhancement works to comply the PAWS sites under its management over a 50-year with the Standard might include creating new areas period. of open space along streams, Public Rights of Way or archaeological features; managing habitat to benefit a Forestry management on the larger farms and Estates particular species; or increasing woodland structure and is likely to continue to be dominated by commercial species diversity. plantations (either coniferous or broadleaved). More sympathetic management techniques, such as those Managing woodland within the structure of the Forestry mentioned in OBJECTIVE FW1.2, can however contribute Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme (EWGS) to more environmentally sustainable woodland encourages all objectives to be taken into consideration management. A multi-objective approach can also allow and balanced proposals formulated. EWGS also owners to generate valuable revenue from commercial provides grant assistance for a wide range of woodland plantations, to help subsidise management on more assessment, management and creation operations. The sensitive sites. strategic national context for woodland-related work and support is provided by the Strategy for England’s Trees, Woods and Forests. The Regional Forestry Strategy provides a more detailed regional set of
72 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 priorities. Projects supported by EWGS will be helping to OBJECTIVE FW2 deliver the aims of these strategies. ENCOURAGE A MULTI-OBJECTIVE APPROACH TO Woodland management plans can be used to identify WOODLAND MANAGEMENT IN THE AONB important features, define priorities and integrate objectives. The Forestry Commission produces Action comprehensive Forest Design Plans for all the woodlands under its management. The production of a FW2.1 Encourage all woodland owners to manage Woodland Management Plan is an integral part of the their woodlands in accordance with the UK UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS). This is a Forestry Standard. higher-tier audit and management scheme for woodland owners, covering issues including management FW2.2 Encourage woodland owners and managers planning, forest design and operations, conservation and to enter the English Woodland Grant workforce training. It was developed as a benchmark Scheme and Environmental Stewardship for sustainable woodland management and is a pre- Scheme, using the full range of available requisite for accessing some elements of the EWGS. grants as appropriate. FORESTRY AND WOODLAND It also offers some market advantage, in that many buyers will only deal with wood that has been produced FW2.3 Work with Yorwoods to encourage from certified sustainably-managed woodlands. The woodland owners to achieve UKWAS Hovingham and Castle Howard Estates both have certification. Woodland Management Plans in place.
In North Yorkshire the Yorwoods partnership ran a pilot scheme to look at the relevance of UKWAS certification to small woodlands (<100ha). This issue is still relevant, as it is likely that the 35% of un-certified woodlands in the AONB will fall into this category.
Caulkleys Wood, Nunnington
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 73 Map, Figure 6 (Woodland distribution) FORESTRY AND WOODLAND
74 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Biodiversity Natural regeneration can be an important tool during re-stocking on both PAWS restoration sites and in Woodland owners and managers have a key role to play existing Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands. Experience in maintaining and enhancing woodland biodiversity, in the Howardian Hills indicates that ash regenerates given the amount of Ancient and semi-natural woodland freely on suitable sites, although woodland owners have in the AONB. A full description of the biodiversity value concerns about the timber quality of such regeneration. of the woodland resource in the Howardian Hills is Oak on the other hand does not seem to regenerate contained in the Supplementary Technical Information successfully, probably due to excessive browsing document on the CD. OBJECTIVES NE2, NE3, NE4, pressure from species such as small mammals, rabbits NE5 and NE7 in the Natural Environment section are and deer. On most sites birch is likely to be the native also particularly relevant for woodland owners and species that regenerates most prolifically and this managers. should be incorporated into the restocking plan, even if the primary tree species need to be established One of the most significant contributions to increased by planting. The Forestry Commission has prepared biodiversity value, and the creation of a comprehensive comprehensive new draft guidance on managing Ancient ‘forest habitats network’, would be the restoration of and Native woodlands (28), which covers this and many FORESTRY AND WOODLAND Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) to native other issues. broadleaved woodland. This is of high importance on those Local Natural Environment Priority Sites (see Because of this likely reliance on replanting, it is Section 2.7) where the planting of conifers or non-native important to ensure that adequate local provenance broadleaves has taken place. It is also important for both planting stock is available for those sites where natural biodiversity and the landscape to encourage restoration regeneration is unlikely to succeed. Local provenance on other PAWS sites wherever possible. PAWS sites stock is grown from seed collected from selected local often contain a remnant ground flora, as well as a ‘parent trees’ and is more likely to be suited to the local significant seed bank, therefore allowing re-colonisation soil and climatic conditions. However, it is important once restoration has started. Current guidance indicates that any material planted is resilient to possible future that the best results are likely to be achieved by a climate change. Local provenance stock can conserve gradual restoration process, covering perhaps 50 years, the genetic heritage of veteran trees, although in many rather than by clearfelling and replanting. A gradual cases their original provenance is unknown. A better restoration allows the natural regeneration of native understanding of the resilience of the native tree broadleaved tree and shrub species. It also allows the species found in the Howardian Hills is needed, in order native ground flora to spread more effectively, rather to guide future management decisions. than being swamped by aggressive light-demanders such as brambles. On PAWS sites where the current tree cover is dense-shading conifers however, and there is little sign of native ground flora, a ‘clearfell and replant’ strategy is likely to be the most appropriate.
Targets for action on PAWS restoration are contained in OBJECTIVE NE4 in the Natural Environment section. UKWAS certification could play a major role in this restoration process, as it requires woodland managers to assess how all their PAWS sites could be managed and improved.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 75 OBJECTIVE FW3 processes. Further details on the historical resource in the Howardian Hills can be found in the Supplementary ENCOURAGE THE USE OF LOCAL PROVENANCE Technical Information document on the CD, with TREES AND SHRUBS WHERE APPROPRIATE WHEN OBJECTIVES HE3 and HE4 in the Historic Environment RE-STOCKING section also being particularly relevant for woodland owners and managers. Action Recreation FW3.1 Gain a better understanding of the susceptibility of native tree and shrub Although the Forestry Commission is one of the largest species to climate change. woodland managers in the Howardian Hills, most of its woods are held on leasehold and are not therefore FW3.2 Promote the use of local provenance or NW available for open public access. There are however European nursery stock, as appropriate, opportunities for enhancing access to some Forestry when restocking. Commission sites, e.g. Grimston Moor, whilst the Commission is also working towards improving access FORESTRY AND WOODLAND FW3.3 Promote the incorporation of natural on other sites through on-going discussions with regeneration of appropriate native tree and landowners and leaseholders. See OBJECTIVE RA8 in shrub species into restocking plans. the Recreation, Access and Tourism section.
FW3.4 Work with local forest nurseries to Access to other woodlands is currently restricted ensure that adequate quantities of local to Public Rights of Way, some of which are popular provenance material are available. sections of long-distance routes. One of the issues on woodland paths is the condition of the surface during the winter or after forestry operations, when they can Cultural heritage often be muddy and hazardous. The creation of wider rides with shrubby margins would help to keep paths As well as being a vital component of the landscape drier. This would be an advantage to both path users and and a significant biodiversity resource, woodlands often woodland managers and would also benefit biodiversity. contain valuable historic remains. They also have an See OBJECTIVE RA7 in the Recreation, Access and intrinsic value in their own right, as part of the history of Tourism section. There may also be opportunities for land management in the Howardian Hills. woodland owners to extend access arrangements by permission, using the grant resources available under Many of the recent conifer plantations on former the EWGS. heathland in the Plateau landscape character area contain round barrow sites dating from the Bronze Timber markets and Iron Ages. A significant number of these are nationally important Scheduled Monuments. Likewise, One of the most important factors affecting woodland extensive areas of the Registered Parks and Gardens management decisions is the price of timber. Prices associated with Gilling Castle, Newburgh Priory and for all grades of softwood continue to fluctuate, but Castle Howard consist of either Ancient or more recent small roundwood (the output from early thinnings) woodland. These woods often contain important is still of marginal economic viability. There remains remnants of ‘designed’ landscapes, which may now an acceptable market for quality hardwood of larger be largely hidden or re-modelled. Dating from more dimensions, but again small-dimension material is recent times, the remains of limestone quarries and often unsaleable. This economic situation tends to limekilns can be found in many woods, illustrating the result in the under-management of the smaller and less important link between woodland and early industrial accessible woods, as thinning operations cannot be
76 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 completed without incurring a financial loss. Linked to OBJECTIVE FW4 this there is also a national skills and labour shortage in the forestry sector. ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE MARKETS FOR WOOD AND TIMBER For softwood, the markets are primarily for pulp, chipboard or construction purposes, where UK timber Action is competing with imports. Marketing advantage lies in securing the best price from timber merchants, FW4.1 Encourage the installation of sustainable often by making relatively large amounts of good woodfuel heating systems and the quality timber available in one batch. The use of development of a woodfuel market. low-quality softwood thinnings by power stations at Drax and on Teesside has introduced a welcome FW4.2 Encourage the use of timber from the new dimension to the market and the volume of AONB in local industries, e.g. furniture timber going to these outlets is likely to increase. making, traditional building restoration, etc. The key to achieving greater profitability in the FORESTRY AND WOODLAND sale of hardwoods, and therefore encouraging FW4.3 Promote and demonstrate the use of on- more broadleaved woods to be brought into active site processing equipment to convert felled management, is the development of markets for timber into higher-value products. hardwood thinnings. First and second thinnings currently have little value, making these operations particularly unattractive. An increase in small-scale woodfuel New woodland planting systems, utilising low-grade hardwood timber as either logs, wood chip or wood pellets, would be a major step As well as encouraging sustainable multi-objective forward in providing a market for this material. The management of existing woodland, the wooded Forestry Commission’s Woodfuel Strategy (29) aims to character of the Howardian Hills could be enhanced by bring more under-managed broadleaved woods into the planting of new woodland in appropriate locations. management, to supply the woodfuel market. Third thinnings likewise are currently of marginal value, The nature of agriculture is constantly changing and with some going into the furniture trade. This market owners have many different objectives for managing has remained relatively static, despite the proximity of their land. Although the current focus appears to be on many furniture makers in Thirsk. Another potential niche food production, the emergence of carbon off-setting market is the use of green timber beams in traditional schemes linked to climate change mitigation might alter building construction and restoration. the emphasis or open-up new commercial opportunities.
Mobile sawmills have in the past been used to convert Provided that new woods are appropriately designed felled timber into fencing or other products on-site. The and sited, they could offer opportunities for improving greater use of such machinery would allow owners of the economy, landscape and wildlife value of the AONB. small woodlands to increase the value of their felled Forestry Commission policy and grant incentives favour trees, with the products either being used on-farm broadleaves and consequently these new woodlands are or sold. There is a small sawmill in the AONB that likely to consist predominantly of broadleaved species. saws timber for the fencing market, with another mill Planting decisions however need to be guided by the and also a wood shavings mill nearby in Helmsley. character of both the existing and historic landscape. The re-introduction of coppice management in some woods would improve their biodiversity value, but the possibilities for generating extra revenue from coppicing are limited.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 77 In addition to areas of new woodland, planting Although the EWGS is a significant step forward from scattered individual trees to create ‘wood pasture’ its predecessor, there are however some deficiencies can enhance the landscape and create important new in the current scheme. New or revised incentives are areas of wildlife habitat. This option has already proved needed if some of the Objectives of this Management attractive to farmers and land managers, as it does Plan are to be achieved. The introduction of substantial not involve permanently converting areas of farmland new grant incentives as part of the EWGS could lead to to woodland and it can be accommodated within the the increased rate of restoration of native woodland on current Single Payment Scheme rules. PAWS sites. The management of natural regeneration, particularly birch, on sites re-stocked after clearfelling Biomass crops such as willow, miscanthus is very management-intensive. Likewise, the preferred and eucalyptus are considered in this method of gradual restoration by thinning to favour context to be agricultural crops and are native broadleaved trees is not an operation that is covered in the Agriculture section. specifically funded by the current EWGS.
OBJECTIVE FW5 A realistic ‘PAWS restoration grant’ or supplement, rather than the annual Woodland Management Grant FORESTRY AND WOODLAND ENCOURAGE NEW AREAS OF WOODLAND WHERE payment, is needed in order to address these two issues. THESE WOULD CONSERVE OR ENHANCE THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE AONB OR IMPROVE Natural England’s Environmental Stewardship Scheme HABITAT NETWORKS also contains woodland management options. It is designed to integrate with and complement the English Action Woodland Grant Scheme, thereby offering a wide range of incentives for all woodland owners and managers. FW5.1 Use forestry grant procedures to advise on the siting and design of new areas of Whilst the primary source of funding for achieving woodland, within the guidance provided by action on the ground is always likely to come from the Local Landscape Priorities the Government, the Joint Advisory Committee may (see Section 2.7). have a role to play in supplementing the national grant schemes. It has already funded a number of FW5.2 Promote the availability of advice and grant projects, for example helping woodland owners aid schemes for new planting. with coppice management and restoring an area of peat bog as part of a wider woodland restoration project. The JAC is also working in partnership with Financial incentives the North York Moors National Park and the Forestry Commission on the Native Woodland Development Forestry economics are complex and management Project. An officer based in Helmsley is available decisions are influenced by many factors, including to provide advice on native woodland issues and the owner’s objectives and the level of Government assistance with preparing grant applications. support. The Forestry Commission’s English Woodland Grant Scheme is the primary source of grant funding and plays the pivotal role in encouraging owners to manage their woods in specific ways. Woodland owners in the AONB have also benefited in the past from Challenge Funds to restore derelict woodlands and to link or extend Ancient woodlands.
78 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE FW6 Knowledge and skills
ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF GRANT Woodland owners and managers are understandably AND ADVICE MECHANISMS THAT ACHIEVE reluctant to commit themselves to management systems AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN OBJECTIVES FOR with which they may be unfamiliar. A programme WOODLAND MANAGEMENT of demonstration events or sites could usefully be developed, to promote ‘best practice’ and use the Action wealth of forestry management knowledge and experience that already exists within the AONB. FW6.1 Encourage the Forestry Commission to introduce grant incentives that realistically The availability of trained contractors to carry out assist with PAWS restoration tasks. a wide range of woodland management tasks is particularly important. A local workforce would FW6.2 Encourage the Forestry Commission to potentially provide employment for local people. A make incentives available for specific variety of training courses are available, for example priority work within the AONB, in line with via LANTRA and funded by the Rural Development FORESTRY AND WOODLAND the Regional Forestry Strategy. Plan for England (RDPE), but the JAC could play a useful role in publicising these. It could also support FW6.3 Ensure that any ‘scoring system’ for new training programmes such as the North York Moors woodland planting continues to recognise National Park Authority’s Modern Apprentices the national importance of the Howardian scheme. The lack of forestry contractors is however Hills AONB. a national issue and the situation is only likely to improve when forestry becomes more economically FW6.4 Provide a flexible package of assistance viable and new people move into the industry. including advice, grant aid or direct works, as appropriate, for small-scale conservation projects. Particularly on sites identified asLocal Natural Environment Priorities (see Section 2.7), including: • Encouraging/managing natural regeneration. • Enhancing biodiversity or the landscape (wood pasture, veteran trees). • Restoring management in derelict woods. • Carrying out species surveys. • Preparing woodland management plans.
FW6.5 Support continuation of the Native Woodland Development Project.
Woodland management, Gilling
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 79 OBJECTIVE FW7 Implementation and monitoring
DEMONSTRATE BEST PRACTICE IN WOODLAND Please refer to the Implementation section, which MANAGEMENT AND ENCOURAGE A MULTI- details: SKILLED WORKFORCE • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved. Action • The key partner organisations. FW7.1 Organise or assist with local events to demonstrate examples of sympathetic • The role of the JAC. woodland management techniques and machinery. • The timescale and priority for action.
FW7.2 Develop a list of local contractors available • The mechanisms for measuring the performance to carry out woodland management work in of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the the AONB. AONB. FORESTRY AND WOODLAND
FW7.3 Promote relevant woodland training courses and apprenticeship schemes.
Individual trees, broadleaved woodland and conifer plantations, near Ampleforth
80 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.4.4 DEVELOPMENT
Introduction In comparison with other AONBs, the Howardian Hills is not under major pressure for new development. Under the provisions of the Countryside and Rights of However, some of the more significant proposals and Way (CRoW) Act 2000, the Objectives contained within issues over time have included: this statutory Management Plan formulate the local authorities’ policy with respect to the AONB. As such, • Minerals – review of old mineral permissions and
they complement the spatial planning and development proposals for oil and gas exploration. DEVELOPMENT control policies of other statutory documents such as the Regional Spatial Strategy (30), the Ryedale Local Plan/ • Telecommunications – new mobile phone Hambleton Local Development Framework (LDF) (31 & transmitter masts. 32) and the North Yorkshire Minerals LDF (33). • Recreation and tourism – golf course construction, The policies within these plans are however based upon caravan site extension, car park construction. Countryside Agency guidance (2) and the Government’s subsequent Planning Policy Statement 7 (3), which • Schools – new buildings and all-weather sports set out the main principles with regard to major pitches (with flood-lighting). development proposals within AONBs. These can be summarised as: • Roads – possible major upgrading of the A64 trunk road. • “ Development control policies for AONBs should promote the conservation of those features that • Power lines – re-alignment of overhead cables. contribute to their special character.” • Office development – conversion of old farm • “ Major development should be regarded as buildings to new office complexes. inconsistent with the aims of designation, except where it is proven that the development is in the • Residential development – construction of large national interest and no alternative site is available.” new dwellings on in-fill sites in villages.
• “ Applications for substantial minerals workings, or • Agriculture – construction of new general-purpose, extensions to existing workings, should be subject livestock and feed mill buildings. to the most rigorous examination to assess the need for the minerals and the environmental effects of the Developments that are small in scale can often be proposal.” (2) accommodated, provided that they are carefully sited and designed. Their cumulative impact should not Local authorities, amongst others, are also subject to however be such as to adversely affect the character of Section 85 of the CRoW Act, which imposes a duty to the area. Nor should they undermine the sustainability have regard to conserving and enhancing the natural objectives of minimising dispersed development and beauty of AONBs. This is balanced against their duty reducing vehicular traffic. Government guidance is that: to take account of local social and economic issues. Clarification from Government has confirmed that “Small-scale developments, where essential to meet AONBs are on a par with National Parks in terms of local community needs and provided for in development landscape importance, and hence the approach to plans, are normally acceptable in AONBs. Such controlling development. developments should be within, or immediately adjacent to, existing towns and villages, and should be in sympathy with the architecture and landscape character of the areas.” (2)
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 81 The constantly changing nature of the rural economy, “Improve the viability of existing villages and market and particularly the need to generate energy from towns, reduce the need for increased car commuting renewable resources, is however likely to have a major to urban centres and reverse the decline in rural impact on the type and scale of developments that the services, by promoting living communities which have AONB will see in the coming years. The challenge is a reasonable mix of age, income and occupation and to ensure that continued socio-economic development which offer a suitable scale of employment, affordable
DEVELOPMENT and climate change mitigation/adaptation measures are and market housing, community facilities and other carried out in a sustainable way. opportunities.” (3)
Socio-Economic situation in The issue of climate change however means that all the AONB decisions should be sustainable not only on a local level but also at a regional, national and international The Local Development Strategy for the North York level. As sustainability is at the heart of conserving Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER programme (34) contains and enhancing the Special Qualities of the AONB, detailed information on employment, education, income, the Sustainable Future section sits as an over-arching access to services, etc for a wide area, including the preface for the whole Management Plan. AONB. A basic summary of the conclusions is included in the Supplementary Technical Information document The role of the on the CD. Joint Advisory Committee
The primary focus of local economic activity is the Although the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) is a purely market towns of Malton, Easingwold and Helmsley, all advisory body and has no direct role in the control of of which are outside the AONB. They act as the main development, one of its functions is “to provide planning centres for employment, shopping, leisure and health advice and related activities” (4). services, with smaller facilities located throughout the AONB. Local and Regional Plans and Strategies are constantly changing and evolving. The Regional Spatial Strategy Sustainable development was recently published as the Yorkshire and Humber Plan (30) and the two District Local Development The central theme of Government policy is the concept Frameworks are at various stages of completion. of sustainable development. There are now many definitions of this, but one of the first is contained in the Whatever the mechanism for local and regional spatial Brundtland Report (11): “development that meets the planning, the JAC needs to ensure that policies within needs of the present without compromising the ability other plans, strategies and programmes adequately of future generations to meet their own needs.” This reflect the national importance of the AONB. Extensive principle should govern all decisions on spatial planning knowledge of the area enables the JAC and AONB Unit and the use of land, including those that do not involve to provide detailed information when advising other ‘development’. The guiding principle is that all decisions bodies on the needs and issues within the AONB. For should maintain or enhance the economic, social and advice on specific development proposals, arrangements environmental assets of the area. This can be achieved have been made for the JAC to be consulted by the locally by encouraging appropriate rural businesses and Local Planning Authorities on significant schemes. varied employment opportunities, whilst also addressing the needs of local housing, transport, recreation and the environment. One of the key objectives is to:
82 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE D1 authority. Both the Ryedale Local Plan and Hambleton LDF have Local Policies that cover this issue, although ENSURE THAT ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT these may need to be reviewed as part of the on-going IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE AIMS OF AONB LDF process. It is important to ensure that a consistent DESIGNATION AND HAS REGARD TO approach is adopted across the whole AONB. SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL
SUSTAINABILITY There is scope for villages to prepare Village Design DEVELOPMENT Statements, which provide a detailed analysis of Action building style and design at a local scale. In order for these to be adopted by the Local Planning Authorities, D1.1 Ensure that all relevant Plans, Strategies they will need to be prepared in line with the Local and Policies recognise, protect and, where Development Framework Regulations and advice for appropriate, enhance the Special Qualities community involvement and participation. In this way of the AONB. they can become adopted as Supplementary Planning Documents and be referred to during the determination D1.2 Maintain effective consultation of planning applications. arrangements between Local Planning Authorities and the Joint Advisory OBJECTIVE D2 Committee. ENCOURAGE HIGH STANDARDS IN BOTH THE DESIGN OF NEW DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE The Joint Advisory Committee is keen to respond AONB AND THE MANAGEMENT OF EXISTING positively, where proposals offer sustainable BUILDINGS/FEATURES opportunities to expand or diversify the economic or social infrastructure of the AONB and mitigate or adapt Action to climate change. The Committee’s views on a number of key issues are described below. D2.1 Ensure consistent high-quality rural design standards covering the whole AONB. Building design D2.2 Encourage villages to prepare Village It is important to ensure that development that would Design Statements, to guide the design of be inappropriate is resisted. However, it is equally future development. important to ensure that development which does take place is well-sited and well-designed. Inappropriate D2.3 Provide guidance on sustainable building or badly-designed developments such as small-scale restoration techniques, including energy extensions, conversions, in-fill development and home conservation measures. improvements have affected the character of many of the attractive villages. Many small-scale changes can D2.4 Undertake appraisals to enable the be undertaken within permitted development rights designation of new Conservation Areas and are therefore difficult to influence. Their cumulative and the enhancement of existing ones. impact can however lead to a loss of character. This issue may increase in significance with the potential D2.5 Assist with the cost of works to village relaxing of permitted development rights, particularly in features identified as priorities in relation to householder renewable energy installations. Conservation Area appraisals. Other changes are subject to planning control, but high standards can only really be achieved by co-operation between the developer, architect, builder and local
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 83 Intrusive features Tranquillity is one of the important ecosystem services that AONBs provide. The Howardian Hills still has The Howardian Hills is fortunate in having few examples relatively dark night skies, although the orange glow of visually intrusive development. Where these do occur, from York affects the southern edge of the AONB. they tend to be relatively small and limited in impact. Excessive and poorly-designed lighting reduces peoples’ There are some exceptions however and the more ability to enjoy the night sky and the stars. Likewise,
DEVELOPMENT obvious discordant elements are identified asLocal noise can seriously erode the sense of tranquillity. The Landscape Priorities in Section 2.7 of the Management amount and speed of traffic has been highlighted by Plan. Opportunities should be pursued wherever possible communities as a major issue and this is addressed in to implement schemes that help to mitigate the impact OBJECTIVES RT1, RT2 and RT3 in the Roads, Transport of these developments on the landscape. and Traffic Management section. The AONB is also subject to a degree of aircraft noise, from light aircraft Other types of development have a more diffuse as well as RAF training planes. National and Local impact but collectively tend to erode environmental Policies are in place to prevent both light and noise character. One example is the visual impact of pollution and the JAC will monitor and resist any new overhead electricity/telephone lines and associated developments that it feels would impact detrimentally installations. The cumulative effect of ‘wire-scape’ on light or noise levels within or adjacent to the AONB. on some villages is quite significant, even those designated as Conservation Areas. Ofgem’s Distribution Upgrading of the A64 Trunk Road through the Price Control Review 4 (DPCR4) introduced financial AONB could potentially have an adverse impact on opportunities for electricity distribution companies the landscape. A description of the issues involved to underground cables in AONBs and National Parks. is contained in the Roads, Transport and Traffic The overhead lines in Terrington were undergrounded Management section (see also OBJECTIVE RT5). in 2006 and other schemes are planned, but progress is proving to be slow. It is hoped that the process will Although the AONB currently suffers only relatively low continue into DPCR5, with resolution of some of the levels of litter and fly-tipping, the problem is localised issues that are currently hampering implementation. and has increased in recent years. Continuing changes The Joint Advisory Committee will also encourage BT to landfill tax charges mean that problems are likely Openreach to lay its cables underground, particularly as to increase in the future. The AONB Unit has arranged part of electricity cable undergrounding schemes. litter-picking of the most prominent areas and will continue to liaise with the District Councils to ensure that any fly-tipping incidents are quickly resolved. Re- cycling and waste minimisation initiatives developed by the local authorities may also help in this respect.
Flytipping, near Oulston
84 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE D3 of the small farm quarries that originally supplied the stone have been filled-in and stone therefore has to ENCOURAGE THE MITIGATION OF INTRUSIVE be sourced from other parts of North Yorkshire. The FEATURES, TO ENHANCE THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE Joint Advisory Committee would therefore consider CHARACTER AND TRANQUILLITY OF THE AONB supporting applications for temporary small-scale stone quarrying for local use, where the extraction and
Action transport would not have an adverse impact on the local DEVELOPMENT environment or communities. D3.1 In co-operation with landowners and developers, encourage local enhancement OBJECTIVE D4 works to mitigate the impact of visually intrusive developments, including those ENCOURAGE THE SUPPLY OF LOCAL STONE FOR identified asLocal Landscape Priorities BUILDING AND DRYSTONE WALL RESTORATION (see Section 2.7). WORK
D3.2 Continue liaison arrangements with CE Action Electric, to prioritise and implement the undergrounding of electricity cables in D4.1 Support appropriate proposals for small- prominent locations. scale quarrying of stone for local uses.
D3.3 Establish links with BT Openreach, D4.2 Safeguard/obtain supplies of suitable local to encourage the undergrounding of stone for drystone wall restoration. telephone cables in prominent locations.
D3.4 Resist any developments that increase Renewable energy the levels of light or noise pollution experienced within or from the AONB. The Government’s targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in order to minimise the impacts of climate D3.5 Monitor the levels of litter and fly-tipping change, will be key policy drivers for the foreseeable within the AONB and take action as future. This is likely to result in an increasing number of appropriate. planning applications for renewable energy installations. OBJECTIVE FW4 in the Forestry and Woodland section encourages the greater use of woodfuel. Other Minerals technologies potentially relevant to the AONB include wind turbines, hydro-electric generators, solar energy, The AONB contains one large active limestone quarry bio-gas and energy-from-waste. (at Wath), with a nearby one currently mothballed. There are a large number of other quarries that are now Small wind turbines for individual houses already exist disused or derelict, many having been in-filled or left to within the AONB and there is a hydro-electric generator nature. These range in size from more recent commercial at Howsham Mill. Many more installations of various operations to small farm quarries used for building and types will be needed however if the Government’s walling stone. The North Yorkshire Minerals LDF (33) targets on renewable energy generation are to be met. will provide a policy structure that seeks to achieve Although the AONB is a nationally protected landscape a sustainable balance between satisfying the need area it must still play its part in meeting these targets for minerals and the need to protect the environment. – the area has a number of renewable energy resources One issue is the lack of suitable and appropriate local that could be exploited. The over-riding principle stone. This is needed for both new house building and however must be one of ‘right technology, right scale, repairs to traditional buildings or drystone walls. Most right place, and right design’.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 85 OBJECTIVE D5 OBJECTIVE D6
SUPPORT APPROPRIATE RENEWABLE ENERGY SUPPORT BUSINESS AND DIVERSIFICATION INSTALLATIONS THAT DO NOT HAVE ADVERSE OPPORTUNITIES LINKED TO THE SPECIAL IMPACTS ON THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE QUALITIES OF THE AONB AONB
DEVELOPMENT Action Action D6.1 ‘Sign-post’ enquirers to the Business Link D5.1 Provide advice and guidance on renewable service. energy technologies and installations likely to be appropriate in the AONB. D6.2 Encourage local businesses to develop appropriate enterprises, via the CAN DO D5.2 Support appropriate proposals that follow Partnership. the ‘4 Rights’ – Technology, Scale, Place, and Design. Redundant farm buildings D5.3 Promote the benefits of appropriate renewable energy developments and As described in the Agriculture section, many traditional demonstrate examples of ‘best practice’ farm buildings in the AONB are falling into disuse projects via the AONB website, events, because of their unsuitability for modern agriculture. leaflets, etc. They include individual buildings as well as extensive ranges of barns, sheds and stables. These represent a valuable economic and cultural heritage asset for the Business development AONB and some are being converted to other uses. Most of the Estates either have or are seeking to convert The economic base of the AONB currently relies heavily old farm buildings into office or workshop space and on agriculture. Specialist advice will be needed to help a number of sites have been converted to high-quality businesses take advantage of new opportunities and the offices. Companies are drawn to these conversions by projected growth in other sectors. the attractive buildings and landscape of the AONB, whilst sympathetic conversion preserves the traditional The current Rural Development Plan for England buildings, provides new economic activity and prevents (RDPE) includes a number of rural business support them falling derelict. mechanisms, including a re-launched Business Link network, the Rural Enterprise Investment Programme The re-use of these buildings must be carefully of financial support and a skills training package. This considered if they are to provide the maximum benefit is the most appropriate source of business advice and to economic, social and environmental development in development covering the AONB and the JAC can the AONB. It is also important that owners thoroughly perform a useful role in ‘signposting’ enquirers to it. investigate the potential demand for the alternative Appropriate opportunities could also be progressed via use that they are considering. Ranges of redundant the CAN DO Partnership, which covers part of the North farm buildings in accessible locations can be converted York Moors National Park and the AONB. to office or other high-quality employment use, in line with PPS7. Such use may not be sustainable however if it encouraged large businesses to move out of local market towns, increased commuter traffic movements and did not provide jobs for local people. The impact of these conversions on landscape character and local
86 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 distinctiveness needs to be considered both individually and traffic generation issues. This may lead to some and cumulatively and opportunities are likely to be finite. difficult choices, for example where development The majority of the easily-accessible locations have now may lead to ‘planning gain’ and the conservation or been converted to offices and this trend has currently restoration of iconic AONB landscapes or features, e.g. slowed down. at Castle Howard. All proposals will be judged against OBJECTIVE D1 above.
Redundant farm buildings, if in appropriate locations, DEVELOPMENT could provide opportunities to accommodate new uses Information Technology such as employment, housing, community facilities, etc, without the need for new buildings. Where conversion Although the AONB is an attractive location in which is to residential use, a range of house unit sizes to to develop a new business, this may be constrained reflect local needs should be provided, as well as by the relative lack of modern technology. Mobile designs suitable for ‘home working’. The pressing need phone reception is patchy on all networks and to provide affordable and local needs housing in the completely absent in some places. This unpredictability countryside may see this option increase as a potential inconveniences both local business users and residents. use for redundant traditional farm buildings, although There are already a number of mobile phone masts stringent safeguards on ‘affordability’ will be needed. within the AONB, the majority of which are well-sited OBJECTIVE AG4 in the Agriculture section covers the and relatively inconspicuous. The challenge for the issue of new farm buildings and infrastructure. mobile phone companies and Local Planning Authorities is to further develop the network in such a way that the high-quality AONB landscape is not compromised. . OBJECTIVE D7 A Joint Accord between the National Association for ENCOURAGE THE SUSTAINABLE RE-USE OF AONBs and the mobile phone companies is in place in REDUNDANT FARM BUILDINGS order to address this issue. The annual roll-out plans provided to the District Councils are a useful mechanism Action for engaging in the process.
D7.1 Support appropriate proposals to re-use Likewise, the current availability and speed of both traditional and modern farm buildings, broadband internet services in the AONB is restricted. where their cultural heritage and wildlife North Yorkshire County Council is continuing to roll value can be safeguarded. out improvements in services, currently via its NYNET programme. British Telecom is also enabling more local telephone exchanges for broadband, although Tourism developments cable sizes and distance-from-exchange are still key limiting factors to speed. A modern broadband internet Farm businesses seeking to diversify have traditionally service will be an important means of supporting both looked towards the tourism market for opportunities. businesses and communities in the area and full high- Occupancy rates suggest however that there is currently speed coverage is perhaps most likely to be achieved by adequate provision, but of variable quality. There are a a combination of wireless and cable linkages. number of established tourist destinations in the AONB, ranging from historic houses like Castle Howard and Newburgh Priory to a Lavender Farm. These businesses may need to develop their assets in order to maintain a high-quality ‘product’, but this should be carried out in an appropriate and sustainable way. It is also unlikely that large-scale tourism or recreational developments would be appropriate in the AONB, due to landscape
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 87 OBJECTIVE D8 for renovation, re-furbishment and letting; or taking out long-term leases on appropriate properties. One of ENCOURAGE THE EXPANSION OF MODERN the possibilities being considered by Ryedale District COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, WHILST Council is the allocation of sites for affordable housing SAFEGUARDING THE AONB LANDSCAPE on land outside current Development Limits, under the ‘exceptions’ approach. Local Estates, along with Housing
DEVELOPMENT Action Associations, could help to facilitate this process by encouraging affordable housing in such locations. D8.1 Support the provision of high-speed broadband and mobile phone installations OBJECTIVE D9 that do not have adverse impacts on the Special Qualities of the AONB. ENCOURAGE THE INCREASED PROVISION OF LOCAL NEEDS/AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE D8.2 Liaise with Local Planning Authorities AONB and network operators, via the process of annual roll-out plans. Action
D9.1 Carry out and update local Housing Needs Housing Surveys and subsequently use these when determining applications for new housing. Currently one of the most significant rural issues is the lack of affordable housing in the countryside. In the D9.2 Further develop and adopt measures for Howardian Hills this issue is governed by policies within the provision of housing to reflect local the Ryedale Local Plan and Hambleton LDF, but the needs, including affordable housing. Joint Advisory Committee can assist in an advisory and advocacy role. Further information on housing and Local D9.3 Promote the potential benefits of ‘local Plan/LDF policies is contained in the Supplementary needs’ housing to AONB farmers, Technical Information document on the CD. landowners and residents.
In-fill plots in villages have tended to be developed for large high-quality houses, whilst many smaller Implementation and monitoring properties are being extended. This has meant that the housing stock has become unbalanced and has Please refer to the Implementation section, which moved progressively upmarket. This has compounded details: the difficulties caused by the significant increases in house prices in the area. The District Councils can use • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved. Housing Needs Surveys and Local Plan/LDF policies to exert influence on the type of housing built, to reflect • The key partner organisations. local housing need and help restore a more sustainable balance. Progress with affordable housing is likely to • The role of the JAC. be relatively slow however, as only a limited amount of housing development occurs in the AONB. District • The timescale and priority for action. Councils will therefore need to consider an integrated package of measures, if more affordable housing • The mechanisms for measuring the performance of various types is to be provided. Such measures of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the might include buying land for Housing Association AONB. developments; buying properties in a poor state of repair
88 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.4.5 ROADS, TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
The road network Traffic management
The network of roads in the Howardian Hills has evolved The management of traffic in the AONB is a complex over many centuries, in line with the distribution issue that is affected by many individual factors. It of human settlement and the requirements of the is however one of the over-riding concerns of local population. The busy A64 York to Scarborough road is residents and primarily involves the issues of through- the only major arterial route through the AONB. Two traffic using the AONB and the behaviour of drivers. secondary routes cross the area: the B1257 from Malton Whilst these are largely issues for the police, highway to the A170 at Sproxton and the section of the B1363 authority and Community Safety Partnerships, the Joint between Oswaldkirk and Brandsby. The remainder of Advisory Committee (JAC) has a role to play in informing the road network consists of minor roads either linking them of local residents’ concerns and working in villages or crossing the Howardian Hills in a north-south partnership to seek possible solutions. direction. A wide variety of vehicles and traffic types use the Roadside boundaries are generally well-hedged, road network in the AONB. Many vehicles using the with drystone walls on the higher open ground of the principal ‘A’ and ‘B’-class roads simply pass through Plateau landscape character area. Mature trees are also the area. The minor roads tend to be used primarily by features of major significance, such as the sycamore local businesses, people who live or work in the area avenue between Caulkleys Bank and Nunnington, the and by people visiting recreation/tourist attractions. four mile (6.4km) lime and beech avenue at Castle Although many of the minor roads in the AONB are Howard and the informal oak-lined eastern approach relatively quiet, some are used as through-routes, to Terrington. These features add character to the road particularly the road from Thirsk to Hovingham via network, integrating it into the landscape. Yearsley. The official alternative route avoiding Sutton Bank via Wass also impacts heavily on Ampleforth The network might generally be considered quiet in village, particularly during bad weather or when the comparison to other parts of the country, but traffic Bank is closed. The issue of alternative routes for Sutton volume is increasing, particularly in some categories Bank has been a problem for many years. The highway such as motorbikes. This leads to conflict with non- authority has now set up a Freight Quality Partnership
motorised road users, such as horse riders, cyclists and and has installed measures to reduce blockages on the ROADS, TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT walkers. The volume and particularly speed of traffic Bank itself, thereby reducing the usage of alternative also brings it into conflict with local residents. The linear routes. Another routing issue is the use of the Castle nature of many of the villages means that traffic can Howard Avenue by Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCVs), impact heavily on residential areas. particularly those serving Wath Quarry. It would be desirable to impose a weight limit on The Avenue, due to the restricted height and width of some of the historic monuments that span the road. Unfortunately, the only current alternative route to or from the A64 is via Malton town centre, which already experiences traffic congestion. The Joint Advisory Committee believes that a full movement interchange at the A64/B1257 junction would resolve this issue, and will encourage it as part of any town centre re-developments in Malton.
Rural road, Dalby
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 89 OBJECTIVE RT1 calming measures have some effect on driver behaviour but these need to be sensitively designed and sited if DEVELOP SOLUTIONS TO SPECIFIC TRAFFIC they are not to damage the visual amenity of attractive ROUTING PROBLEMS IN AND AROUND THE villages. The highway authority is working to review AONB, TO DISCOURAGE THROUGH-TRAFFIC AND speed limits in the County by the end of 2011, as ENSURE THAT OTHER TRAFFIC USES THE MOST required by Government guidance (35). Outside villages APPROPRIATE ROUTE rural roads will fall into two categories, with the setting of speed limits then based on a variety of factors. It is Action possible that speed limits on many of the roads in the AONB will decrease. The potential increase in road RT1.1 Work with local partners to promote the signage that any change would entail will need to be need for a full-movement interchange at managed, via the liaison arrangements described in the A64/B1257 junction. OBJECTIVE RT4.1.
RT1.2 Place an ‘Access only’ weight restriction on The Joint Advisory Committee will also work with the the Castle Howard Avenue, in conjunction local Community Safety Partnerships, to draw attention with Objective RT1.1 above. to issues in the AONB and help develop joint solutions.
RT1.3 Investigate freight issues in the AONB, to OBJECTIVE RT2 identify patterns in HCV through-traffic. DEVELOP INITIATIVES TO MONITOR AND ADDRESS RT1.4 Use Freight Quality Partnerships to address TRAFFIC AND DRIVER BEHAVIOUR ISSUES IN THE any issues raised during freight monitoring. AONB
Action One issue that is difficult to resolve is the increasing size of both HCVs and farm machinery. Even traffic serving RT2.1 Gather information on traffic speeds, to businesses in the area can have trouble negotiating identify problem locations. some of the narrower lanes. Economies of scale mean that distributors and haulage companies are using larger RT2.2 Carry out a regular programme of speed- vehicles, with greater capacity and hence able to carry checks in identified problem locations, to
ROADS, TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT out multiple deliveries/collections. There is evidence of address issues. vehicle collisions and extensive road verge damage in some locations. RT2.3 Consider organising local events that examine and address traffic and driver Another major concern of residents is the behaviour of behaviour issues, in identified problem drivers using the AONB’s road network. Poor behaviour locations. is most often exhibited as excessive speed through villages and inconsiderate driving when passing pedestrians, cyclists or horse riders.
Many of the villages in the AONB have speed limits but local residents feel that these are often ignored by drivers and motor-cyclists and are not enforced by the police. Monitoring however sometimes shows that the problems can be more perceived than actual, and that the worst offenders are often local people. Traffic
90 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Sustainable transport Ryedale Voluntary Action and the Rural Transport Partnership that covers the AONB. Successes to date Transport is one of the main issues in rural areas, with include setting up minibus brokerage schemes, to the private car being the most convenient and often make better use of vehicles during their ‘idle’ times; only means of transport available to local people and the installation of cycle lockers; and a moped hire visitors. Not all households or visitors have access to a scheme for young people to access work or education car however, potentially putting them at a considerable opportunities. There is scope for some of these disadvantage. There is now a much-increased public initiatives to be developed further, in conjunction with awareness of the problems associated with the use of the work being carried out by the County Council in cars, from congestion and greenhouse gas emissions to supporting and developing rural bus services. the cost of fuel and road taxes. Whilst many initiatives inevitably centre on motorised Car ownership levels in the AONB are high, with transport, due to the distances involved, the scope research undertaken in 2003 (36) showing levels of 85% for walking and cycling to become viable modes of in some Wards. Whilst it would be unrealistic to expect transport also needs to be increased. A safe and usable ownership levels to fall dramatically, a change in travel network of Public Rights of Way and cycle routes needs behaviour would help address some of the traffic-related to be developed, linking villages and towns. Likewise, issues. It would also reduce the physical and visual new business developments need to encourage these impact of road traffic in the AONB. alternatives to car use, by providing appropriate facilities. These initiatives could form part of Workplace The preparation of the second North Yorkshire Local Travel Plans developed for such employment bases. Transport Plan (LTP2) (37) has allowed the County Council to access Government resources to address Service Centre Transportation Strategies (SCTSs) issues based on four key themes – congestion, road prepared as part of the LTP2 are the principal mechanism safety, air quality/environment and access to services/ for identifying transport issues in and around the opportunities. The last of these has potentially wide- market towns in North Yorkshire. An SCTS looks at reaching implications, as it seeks to reduce travel the various local issues and involves communities and (by bringing local services closer to people), then partner organisations in developing and implementing encouraging modal shift for those journeys that do have projects. SCTSs are underway for the Helmsley and to be made. This change in philosophy could have a Malton/Norton areas, with a Strategy also planned for major role to play in reducing vehicle movements in the Easingwold. The integration of Public Rights of Way
Howardian Hills, as well as supporting or developing back into the ‘highways’ network is also a Policy in the ROADS, TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT local village services. OBJECTIVE LC1 in the Local North Yorkshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan (38). Communities section encourages the development of innovative solutions to deliver services to local people. In addition to the alternative methods of transport outlined above, it is also possible to use private cars in Public transport provision in the AONB has developed a more sustainable way. Examples would include car- considerably in recent years, with improvements sharing and ‘multi-purpose’ journeys. Car-sharing in routes, timetables and facilities. Monitoring and arrangements are becoming increasingly common for evaluation of bus routes and timetables has allowed large employers, who often have ‘brokerage’ schemes innovative schemes such as ‘dial-a-ride’ services to to make it easier for employees to arrange lifts. Multi- be introduced. This has resulted in villages receiving purpose journeys are likely to be common in the AONB, an increased number of buses per day, although good due to the relative distances involved, with people often travel-to-work connections are still sporadic. doing all their shopping on a market day in the local town. Using local market towns is also more sustainable There are also a number of community transport than driving to an edge-of-town retail park, at York initiatives, being pursued by organisations such as for example. Shopping in market towns provides more
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 91 income and support for local people, businesses and Road maintenance and design services and therefore helps maintain their viability. Local mobile shops and services also save time and As the network of rural roads is such an integral part reduce the need to travel and they should be supported of the landscape, it is vital that great care is taken in by local people wherever possible. the design and implementation of maintenance works and improvements. Many of these tend to be small- For recreational visits to the AONB, public transport scale works, such as kerbing eroded corners, easing and the North York Moors National Park Moorsbus are bends, improving junctions or installing bus shelters. important services. Moorsbus also forms an additional Individually such schemes can seem insignificant, but service into Helmsley for local residents. These networks their cumulative effect has a suburbanising influence could be extended and promoted as sustainable ways to and can destroy the character of country roads. In a visit the AONB – see OBJECTIVES RA9 and RA10 in the similar vein, highway lighting can have a detrimental Recreation, Access and Tourism section. impact. Although it is not expected that extensive lighting will be needed in the AONB, it is important to OBJECTIVE RT3 ensure that where it is essential, it is fully shaded to avoid light spillage sideways and upwards. PROMOTE THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE MODES OF TRANSPORT AS ALTERNATIVES TO THE PRIVATE Traffic calming measures are likely to continue being CAR installed in villages, in response to residents’ concerns and where there is a proven issue of speeding traffic. Action It is important however to ensure that these measures are sympathetically designed. They should not detract RT3.1 Identify transport service, infrastructure from the essentially rural character of AONB villages, and accessibility improvements. particularly those designated as Conservation Areas.
RT3.2 Develop and implement identified Problems can also arise due to road sign clutter at measures as appropriate, via SCTSs or junctions or other hazards. There is a need to examine other mechanisms. whether signs are really necessary in some locations (particularly on the A64), whether information can be RT3.3 Promote the availability of alternative combined on single signs and how signs can be kept to transport services in AONB literature, in a sensible size.
ROADS, TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT local villages and at visitor attractions. The Howardian Hills still retains a significant number RT3.4 Encourage the preparation of Workplace of traditional roadside structures such as bridges, Travel Plans for employment bases in the cast-iron fingerposts and mileposts. These are important AONB. features of both cultural heritage and landscape value and every effort should be made to retain and repair RT3.5 Ensure that the next Local Transport Plan them. The Joint Advisory Committee has already for North Yorkshire contributes to AONB instigated a repair and conservation programme for Management Plan Objectives, where the mileposts and traditional direction signs and this appropriate. should be continued. New direction signs should be in a sympathetic style and font wherever possible.
92 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 The survey of road verges in the AONB and their OBJECTIVE RT4 importance as a biodiversity resource is covered in the Natural Environment section. Verges are also important MAINTAIN THE EXISTING RURAL CHARACTER OF however for allowing walkers and horse riders to avoid THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE AONB traffic, whilst overgrown verges can have road safety implications. The highway authority regularly reviews Action its verge cutting policy, in order to develop a balanced approach to often conflicting priorities. Damage to the RT4.1 Continue liaison arrangements between nature conservation value of verges can be caused the Joint Advisory Committee and highway by salt heaps, inappropriate verge cutting, minor road authority (and its agents) for all proposals improvement works, utilities work and excessive use in the AONB. by horse riders. The Joint Advisory Committee is ideally placed to liaise with the highway authority, to identify RT4.2 Ensure that the NYCC Construction and implement specific management regimes for Manual contains appropriate guidance individual verges. This would safeguard those verges on the design of road signage, minor designated as Special Interest Road Verges and ensure improvements, traffic calming measures, that they are in favourable conservation management etc in the AONB. (see OBJECTIVE NE5 in the Natural Environment section). It would also recognise the needs of road RT4.3 Identify examples of road sign clutter and safety and their potential use as links between Public seek improvements. Rights of Way for recreational and other users. RT4.4 Compile an inventory of historic ‘roadside Many of the above issues can be dealt with via a furniture’, to record current features and full liaison procedure and the adoption of design determine future conservation priorities. protocols for road signage, traffic calming, minor improvement works, etc. The County Council is currently RT4.5 Continue a maintenance and restoration preparing a Construction Manual, which takes the programme for historic features identified Protected Landscape status of North Yorkshire’s National as needing action. Parks and AONBs into account and which is due to be published in 2009.
Car parking New roads ROADS, TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
Car parking in the AONB is generally of an informal It is not anticipated that the AONB will face any nature, apart from the larger car parks at attractions pressures for building major new roads in the such as Nunnington Hall and Castle Howard. The foreseeable future. Even minor upgrading of the A64 demand for these facilities is largely driven by Trunk Road would however involve a significant amount recreational use and OBJECTIVE RA11 in the Recreation, of potentially damaging work. The main issues are the Access and Tourism section deals with the management possible construction of new grade-separated junctions, of small informal car parks. Any works carried out should the dualling of the section between Welburn Crossroads be in line with OBJECTIVE RT4. and the Malton Bypass and the construction of a full- movement interchange at Musley Bank. The associated issue of direct access from the A64 to the B1257 is covered in OBJECTIVE RT1. The Highways Agency published a 10-year Route Management Strategy (RMS) for the A64 in 2001 (39). It proposed interventions like the upgrading of the Welburn-Malton section to modern
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 93 single carriageway standard and studies on safety/ OBJECTIVE RT5 congestion problems at specific junctions. In response to this Strategy, a partnership of local authorities ENSURE ANY PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF commissioned a report into the economic benefits of THE A64 TRUNK ROAD THROUGH THE AONB ARE a higher level of upgrading (40). A further report (41) FULLY JUSTIFIED, ADOPT APPROPRIATE LOCAL concluded that, whilst there could be some congestion STANDARDS OF DESIGN, MAKE MAXIMUM USE and regeneration benefits arising from a major dualling OF THE EXISTING ROAD ALIGNMENT AND HAVE scheme, the environmental and financial costs would MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT be very high. Since then the Regional Transport Board has looked at potential funding for the scheme, but has Action judged that it does not meet its value-for-money criteria, matched against regional priorities. No work is currently RT5.1 Monitor future proposals and provide being done, or is planned to be done, on a major dualling comments to the Highways Agency, scheme. highway authority and Ryedale District Council on any new schemes. The upgrading of the A64 through the AONB, particularly the section between Welburn and Malton, is not a straightforward issue. That section has a particularly Implementation and monitoring poor accident record, resulting in frequent closures. The alternative routes, through Welburn/Coneysthorpe Please refer to the Implementation section, which or Huttons Ambo, are particularly unsuitable for large details: volumes of traffic or HCVs. The accidents cause serious injury or loss of life, whilst the subsequent diversions • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved. create local traffic chaos, disruption to quiet villages and damage to road verges. The route through Welburn • The key partner organisations. and Coneysthorpe impacts heavily on the setting of the Castle Howard parkland and results in direct damage • The role of the JAC. to Grade I Listed structures. There would therefore be considerable benefits in upgrading the A64, to reduce • The timescale and priority for action. both human injuries and the frequency of closures. These factors would however need to be balanced • The mechanisms for measuring the performance
ROADS, TRANSPORT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT against the national landscape, biodiversity and cultural of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the heritage importance of the route corridor. AONB.
A full dualling to modern design standards, although currently deemed very unlikely, would have a high environmental impact on the AONB. Should the case for dualling the A64 section within the AONB be fully justified by a sustainability appraisal in future years, bespoke design measures would then be needed to minimise adverse environmental impacts. Design measures would also be needed to reduce environmental impact, should the local straightening of bends or other works be proposed, e.g. at Golden Hill.
94 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.5 ENJOYING THE AONB
Near Terrington ENJOYING THE AONB
City of Troy maze, Dalby
Road race event
Near Coneysthorpe Sunrise, Cawton
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 95 ENJOYING THE AONB
96 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.5.1 RECREATION, ACCESS AND TOURISM
Recreation in the Howardian Hills needs. However, the overriding priority should be the conservation and enhancement of the AONB’s Special The AONB is an important area for quiet recreation for Qualities and recreation demands should be managed to both local people and visitors. It caters for a wide range ensure that they do not conflict with these. The changing of activities, which are generally adequately dispersed rural economy over recent years has seen a number or at low frequency. A Visitors and Users Survey of businesses emerging or expanding in the AONB, conducted in 2003 (10) provided detailed information ranging from a cookery demonstration centre to camping on the source of visitors and their reasons for visiting facilities. Although these developments may bring the Howardian Hills. Further details of the recreation significant benefits to the owner, they could also damage activities/facilities and the Visitors and Users Survey the environment and introduce new conflicts unless they can be found in the Supplementary Technical Information are carefully conceived and designed. Developments document on the CD and Figure 7 shows the main visitor that create traffic problems for the local community, attractions in the AONB. disturb wildlife and intrude into the countryside are unlikely to be acceptable. On the other hand, enterprises One of the key conclusions from the Visitors and Users that build upon the distinctive character of the area are Survey was that people are attracted by the unspoilt more likely to be both acceptable and successful. landscape, the peace and tranquillity and the sense of ‘discovery’. These attributes are central to the Achieving sustainable growth in visitor numbers and character of the AONB and should be used as a basis for consequently income for local businesses must be the recreation management in the Howardian Hills. guiding principle. Whilst new ‘built’ developments are likely to fall within the scope of the planning The survey was however limited in its scope and system, the management of other informal recreational sampling methodology and Government policies in activities largely relies on partnership working between ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION, relation to access to the countryside have changed farmers/land managers and a variety of interested since it was carried out. It is now recognised that the organisations. countryside contributes significantly to both physical and mental health, by providing recreational opportunities OBJECTIVE RA1 and tranquillity (42). It is also important that all sectors of society are able to enjoy these benefits, by ensuring ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE RECREATIONAL that barriers preventing Under-Represented Groups ACTIVITIES THAT DO NOT CONFLICT WITH THE visiting the AONB are minimised as much as possible SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE AONB (43). OBJECTIVE RA2 suggests Actions to address these two issues, whilst OBJECTIVE AP2 in the Awareness Action and Promotion section proposes the development of the existing programme of publicity/information and the RA1.1 Monitor the sustainability of recreational work with schools and communities. activities within the AONB.
The role of the AONB in RA1.2 Use planning policies to encourage recreation provision appropriate recreational business developments. Wherever possible the AONB should cater for a wide diversity of recreational activities. Both local residents and visitors should be able to benefit from the opportunities available, whilst visitor spending is vital to many local businesses. It is also important that those people who live and work in the AONB have adequate access to recreational facilities to meet local
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 97 Marketing OBJECTIVE RA2
It is important to make people aware of what the PROMOTE THE ATTRACTIONS AND SPECIAL Howardian Hills AONB has to offer, within the overall QUALITIES OF THE AONB IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY objective of encouraging sustainable tourism. The AONB is covered by the Yorkshire Moors and Coast Area Action Tourism Partnership (ATP) and substantial benefit could be achieved from participating more actively in this RA2.1 Gather information on visitor numbers, group. The Yorkshire Tourist Board is currently sampling activity, etc to assess the demand for visitor activities, perceptions/motivations, etc in a different types of promotional material. Regional Visitor Survey and this should provide some updated information to lead on from the AONB Visitors RA2.2 Work with the Area Tourism Partnership to and Users Survey. North Yorkshire County Council is also provide information for use by tourists and developing a Sustainable Tourism Strategy as part of its visitors. third Local Transport Plan, which could help to bring all these aspects together. RA2.3 Work with local Tourism Associations, to discuss joint-working and promotion. There is a range of visitor accommodation within the AONB, catering for different market sectors. The RA2.4 Develop initiatives to encourage Under- Yorkshire Tourist Board is working to encourage 80% Represented Groups to enjoy the AONB. of tourist accommodation to be quality-assessed, to ensure that visitors know what standard to expect. RA2.5 Develop initiatives to promote the health RECREATION, ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION, Opportunities exist for tourist accommodation providers benefits of outdoor recreation in the AONB. to target more specialist markets such as horse tourism or cyclists, or provide facilities of the highest quality. The profile of existing visitors indicates that short breaks in good-quality accommodation is a potential area for growth. The Visitors and Users Survey also indicated some interest in ‘activity’ or ‘themed’ breaks, which could attract more long-stay visitors. Opportunities might therefore exist to combine accommodation with interests such as local food, painting, photography, conservation work, Country Houses, etc. The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) could perform a useful ‘linking’ role, by working with the ATP and local Tourism Associations to discuss a common approach to developing sustainable tourism.
A major opportunity exists to raise awareness of the AONB by providing information at tourist facilities and accommodation – see also OBJECTIVE AP1 in the Awareness and Promotion section.
Caulkleys Bank, Nunnington
98 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Map, Figure 7 (Visitor attractions) RECREATION, ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION,
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 99 Management of OBJECTIVE RA11 suggests actions to manage informal recreational pressures car parking sites in the AONB, whilst OBJECTIVE D3 in the Development section addresses the issue of litter Many informal recreational activities in the countryside and fly-tipping. (e.g. walking, horse riding) are not subject to planning control and can only be influenced through guidance Access to the countryside and partnership management action. The AONB Management Plan is a useful vehicle for identifying and The network of Public Rights of Way in the AONB is resolving conflicts, to enable people to enjoy the area in reasonably extensive and provides an inexpensive way a sustainable way. of catering for the recreational needs of many visitors and local people. Several Long Distance walks such as A noticeable feature of the Howardian Hills, compared the Centenary Way, the Ebor Way, the Derwent Way to many other Protected Landscapes that are popular and the Foss Walk cross the area, giving opportunities with visitors, is the relative lack of visitor facilities. for longer routes. Horse riding and off-road cycling are There are no formal picnic sites in the open countryside, popular on bridleways and the quieter country roads, parking facilities are limited and toilets are only located although riders often have to use busier roads in order to at the village pubs/cafes, village halls or larger visitor form circular routes. Touring cyclists can take advantage attractions. This level of facilities typifies the unspoilt of the Sustrans Route 65, which passes through the rural character of the AONB, but carefully-targeted western part of the AONB. The National Byway, and measures need to be considered in order to balance one of its Loops, also passes through large parts of the increased visitor enjoyment of the area with economic Howardian Hills. opportunities for rural businesses and the conservation RECREATION, ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION, of the landscape. The Public Rights of Way network
OBJECTIVE RA3 There are 207km of public footpath and 94km of public bridleway in the AONB. This Public Rights of Way CARRY OUT RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT network is the most important facility in enabling people MEASURES AS APPROPRIATE, TO ADDRESS to enjoy the countryside of the AONB – its maintenance PROBLEMS AND ENHANCE ENJOYMENT BY THE and development to a high standard is therefore a PUBLIC priority.
Action The Joint Advisory Committee, in partnership with the County Council, instigated a major programme of RA3.1 Carry out small-scale management Public Rights of Way survey and improvement work in works as necessary, particularly on sites 1999. Improvement works were carried out on all Public identified asLocal Recreation Priorities Rights of Way in the AONB over a 6-year period. New (see Section 2.7). fingerposts, steps and bridges were installed and stiles were replaced with handgates. This programme proved popular with path users and local people and has been widely praised. Regular monitoring and maintenance will however be on-going tasks, as will the cutting of vegetation on paths during the summer months. A much greater use of volunteers has been made in recent years for completing these tasks, but there is scope for a larger and more co-ordinated programme.
100 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE RA4 • New access routes or areas. The Highways Act 1980 already allows landowners to Dedicate new MANAGE THE PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY NETWORK public footpaths and bridleways on their land. The TO A HIGH STANDARD Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 allows the Dedication of new access areas, whilst time-limited Action permissive access (both routes and areas) can be created under Natural England’s agri-environment RA4.1 Ensure the maintenance of all path schemes. These measures could be used to satisfy furniture in the AONB. local demand for increased access or linking routes, with user groups working in partnership with RA4.2 Regularly monitor the condition of all landowners and occupiers to identify suitable routes. paths. The lack of linked bridleways in some parts of the AONB is a particular problem. RA4.3 Liaise with local landowners to quickly rectify identified problems, including • Network rationalisation. Paths shown on the seasonal overgrowth and ploughing/ Definitive Map mostly owe their origins to a cropping. functional past rather than their present use or need. Routes that once crossed permanent pasture or RA4.4 Develop a prioritised programme to cut followed old hedge lines may now cross large arable seasonal undergrowth on paths. fields. Some also pass through farmyards, which can disturb privacy and be potentially hazardous to RA4.5 Continue to encourage wider community users. In dealing with requests for diversions it is involvement in path monitoring and important to ensure that the interests of both users ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION, maintenance. and landowners are respected and that the historic integrity of the network is maintained.
Although the Public Rights of Way network is extensive North Yorkshire County Council established a Local and its condition is much better than it was, there are a Access Forum (LAF) in 2003, as required by the number of further improvements that can be made: Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The Forum considers all access issues and advises on ways • Historical anomalies in the network need to be of improving and enhancing public access to the resolved as part of the Definitive Map Review. This countryside. The Rights of Way Improvement Plan has been completed for the Hambleton District but (ROWIP) for North Yorkshire (38) sets out the principles has not yet started in the Ryedale District. for managing the Public Rights of Way network. These include the ‘gaps, gates, stiles’ policy to physical • There are also believed to be 10-20 missing or barriers on Public Rights of Way, as well as prioritisation ‘lower status’ routes that need to be investigated mechanisms for Definitive Map issues, maintenance and remedied as necessary. These are either paths tasks, user complaints, etc. that are missing completely from the Definitive Map, or bridleways that are wrongly classified as footpaths The LAF and the ROWIP can be used to address the at present. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act issues outlined above and the Joint Advisory Committee 2000 sets a deadline of 2026 for these to be correctly will ensure that they are brought to the attention of both identified on the Definitive Map, although this is the LAF and the County Council, as appropriate. likely to be reviewed as a result of the abandonment of Natural England’s Lost Ways Project.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 101 OBJECTIVE RA5 Conflicts between user types
ENCOURAGE THE CORRECT IDENTIFICATION OF There are a few paths where issues are arising due ALL PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY ROUTES ON THE to the different types of user. This is most common on DEFINITIVE MAP BY 2015 woodland paths during winter, when walkers, horse riders and off-road cyclists all share the same routes. Action The problems can also be exacerbated if forestry operations have taken place. The surface of these paths RA5.1 Complete the Definitive Map review for the is rarely suited to such a range of uses, but providing Ryedale District. harder surfaces is expensive, can be out of character with the surroundings and can also be unpopular with RA5.2 Bring ‘missing routes’ and ‘route status users. Some improvement can be achieved through inconsistencies’ to the attention of the forest management such as basic drainage and ride- highway authority and lobby for action. widening, which allows paths to dry-out more quickly. The identification of alternative routes for different users could be explored at particularly problematic locations. OBJECTIVE RA6 There are also several footpaths that are regularly used ENCOURAGE APPROPRIATE LOCAL by horses and cyclists, probably to avoid the traffic on IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY roads. This can however make the paths difficult for NETWORK walkers to negotiate. Informal advisory signing and waymarking can be used on such paths, but the creation RECREATION, ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION, Action of additional bridleway routes (or the upgrading of these footpaths) would also help in resolving this issue. RA6.1 Encourage the creation of new access It should be borne in mind that some horse riders and routes/areas where the Public Rights cyclists may be using these paths legitimately, e.g. with of Way network is less developed and the permission of the landowner. there appears to be a desire for increased access. Landowners and managers often have concerns over the control of dogs, closure of gates and straying from RA6.2 Support appropriate Public Rights of Way paths. The Public Rights of Way survey and improvement diversion, creation and extinguishment programme carried out by the Joint Advisory Committee orders/agreements in response to tackled some of these issues, but monitoring and particular local issues. further work may be necessary in some locations. The distribution of guidance on dog walking, such as that prepared by the then Countryside Agency (44), could be considered if severe on-going problems arise in specific areas.
Management of seasonal growth
102 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE RA7 Discussions with the owners of Yearsley Moor have been taking place for some years and the Joint Advisory MANAGE PATH USAGE ISSUES ARISING: Committee will help in the process where appropriate.
• BETWEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF PATH OBJECTIVE RA8 USER • BETWEEN PATH USERS AND LAND IMPROVE OPEN ACCESS OPPORTUNITIES IN MANAGERS FORESTRY COMMISSION WOODLAND
Action Action
RA7.1 Encourage path improvements, particularly RA8.1 Encourage low-key countryside via management measures such as ride- management works to improve recreation widening and the use of alternative routes. management on freehold Forestry Commission land. RA7.2 Monitor use of footpaths by horse riders, off-road cyclists and motorised vehicles. RA8.2 Encourage the Dedication of leasehold Forestry Commission land as Open Access. RA7.3 Make advisory signage/guidance available to farmers and land managers to help RA8.3 Assist in negotiations between the Forestry resolve particular problems, e.g. control Commission and landowners on leasehold of dogs, closure of gates and keeping to land, as appropriate. paths, etc. ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION,
Open Access land Circular routes
Open Access to agricultural land within the Howardian The network of Public Rights of Way in the AONB allows Hills is currently limited to permissive access on several the identification of a large number of circular routes, of small pasture fields managed under the Countryside varying lengths. The County Council published a leaflet Stewardship Scheme. The creation of a right of access of four walking routes from Terrington and a number of to ‘open country’ (mountain, moor, heath and down) and commercially-produced booklets are also available. In Registered Common Land under the Countryside and 2006 the Joint Advisory Committee published the first in Rights of Way Act 2000 had a negligible effect in the a new series of leaflets, detailing circular walks based Howardian Hills. No areas of land were designated as around individual villages. The leaflets also contain ‘open country’ under the criteria contained in the Act information on features of local wildlife and historical and there are only several very small areas of Registered interest. Common Land. Whilst it is possible that other areas of Open Access land will be created via Dedication, This series of circular walks leaflets will be continued, the main opportunities in the AONB are on Forestry but the range of guided circular routes within the Commission land. Most FC woods in the AONB are held AONB also needs to be expanded. Both the National on leasehold however and are not therefore generally Cycle Network and the National Byway pass through available for open public access. There are opportunities the AONB, providing opportunities for cyclists to take for enhancing access to some freehold sites, e.g. a circular detour to view the area. It might be feasible Grimston Moor, whilst the Commission is also working to establish a longer route around the whole AONB towards improving access on other sites through on- for horse riders and off-road cyclists, using local going discussions with landowners and leaseholders. tourist accommodation for overnight stops. Progress
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 103 will however rely on anomalies and missing links in ‘Improvements to public transport’ was however the the Public Rights of Way network being rectified (see most popular response, when interviewees were OBJECTIVE RA5). Road verges, with appropriate cutting asked to name any measures that would improve their regimes, might help in bridging some of these gaps in enjoyment of the area. the network or linking other paths together. The CAN DO Partnership will be an important mechanism for OBJECTIVE RT3 in the Roads, Transport and Traffic progressing some of these initiatives. Management section encourages the use of other modes of transport to access services within the AONB, The Visitors and Users Survey also indicated a potential including recreational opportunities. The North York demand for themed or activity holidays. These might Moors National Park Authority’s popular Moorsbus potentially make use of a number of circular routes in service runs through part of the AONB, including a order to explore the area. linking route to Hull. Promotion work, for example by developing circular routes linked to public transport OBJECTIVE RA9 and Moorsbus stops, could increase the use of these services by visitors to the AONB. These circular routes ESTABLISH GUIDED ROUTES AROUND THE AONB will be developed as part of the programme proposed in FOR: OBJECTIVE RA9. There would also be merit in extending the network of Moorsbus routes through the AONB, • WALKERS as well as looking at other initiatives such as park- • TOURING CYCLISTS and-ride or community transport to link to major visitor • HORSE RIDERS attractions or events. • OFF-ROAD CYCLISTS RECREATION, ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION, OBJECTIVE RA10 Action ENHANCE THE NETWORK OF BUS ROUTES AND RA9.1 Identify appropriate routes, linked to public OTHER TRANSPORT SERVICES THAT CAN BE USED transport or Moorsbus routes, local shops, FOR ACCESSING LEISURE opportunities WITHIN etc. THE AONB
RA9.2 Identify road verges that could be used to Action link Public Rights of Way (to create circular routes), and encourage appropriate cutting RA10.1 Enhance the network of public/community regimes. transport and Moorsbus services, both within and linking to the AONB. RA9.3 Publish and distribute guide leaflets. RA10.2 Explore options for establishing park-and- ride facilities to service or link the larger Sustainable transport for visitors tourist attractions.
Encouraging more use of shared or public transport and less reliance on the use of private cars is a key Government objective. This modal shift is as important for recreational journeys as it is for home-to-work commuting. The Visitors and Users Survey indicated that 80% of the interviewees travelled to the AONB by private car.
104 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Car parking OBJECTIVE RA11
Although the Howardian Hills is generally not under MANAGE INFORMAL CAR PARKING heavy recreational pressure, car parking problems ARRANGEMENTS IN THE AONB can occur during busy weekend and holiday periods. The main visitor attractions mostly have adequate Action car parking facilities. Kirkham Priory is the exception however, and parking and traffic management measures RA11.1 Carry out appropriate management works are needed to address the issues at this particular to sites used for car parking, including location. those identified asLocal Recreation Priorities (see Section 2.7). The more informal parking areas are on highway verges, which generally cope well with the relatively low levels RA11.2 Continue discussions to improve parking of use that they receive. Some however are limited management at Kirkham Priory. in size and can be difficult to use during wet weather. Improvements to these parking areas would be popular RA11.3 Investigate the use of designated village and would increase capacity. Conversely however they parking areas and toilet facilities by would not encourage the use of more sustainable modes recreational visitors. of transport, other than the private car. Car parking can also cause some problems in the more popular AONB villages on busy weekends. Integrated solutions to Water recreation these village parking problems need to be developed, in partnership with the communities concerned. The River Derwent, which flows through the eastern ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION, edge of the AONB, is a popular focus for recreation. As When dealing with parking issues it is important that well as being widely used by anglers, the river upstream the type and scale of the solution reflects conservation from Kirkham is used with the consent of the riparian and sustainability objectives. Each site needs to be owners by a few small motorboats. Likewise it is used assessed on an individual basis, and solutions adopted by consent by canoeists, particularly at Howsham that balance the demand for parking with any alternative and Kirkham. The whole length of the Derwent from methods of transport available and the character of the upstream of Malton right down to its confluence location. with the Ouse has however been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation. The river is of such ecological value that inappropriate proposals for future water recreation should be resisted. Local authorities should ensure that any proposals that would lead to conflict with nature conservation are fully assessed against the provisions of the Habitats Regulations.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 105 OBJECTIVE RA12 OBJECTIVE RA13
RESIST PROPOSALS FOR FORMAL WATER MAINTAIN A FORUM TO DISCUSS TOURISM, RECREATION ON THE RIVER DERWENT AND RECREATION AND ACCESS ISSUES IN THE AONB MANAGE OTHER FORMS OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY IN THE DERWENT VALLEY TO MINIMISE Action DISTURBANCE TO WILDLIFE RA13.1 Hold meetings of the Forum as necessary. Action RA13.2 Pass information on issues to the RA12.1 Use planning and other policy controls to North Yorkshire Local Access Forum, as discourage recreational use of the river. appropriate.
RA12.2 Undertake small-scale countryside management works to resolve local Implementation and monitoring recreational issues. Please refer to the Implementation section, which details:
Co-ordination • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved.
The sustainable management and development of • The key partner organisations. RECREATION, ACCESS AND TOURISM RECREATION, tourism, recreation and access in the Howardian Hills relies on discussion and negotiation between all the • The role of the JAC. interested parties. The Joint Advisory Committee has established a Recreation and Access Forum to carry • The timescale and priority for action. out this role. In recent years the Forum was expanded to include tourism representatives. The Forum has met • The mechanisms for measuring the performance a number of times, to provide guidance on specific of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the issues such as the Public Rights of Way survey and AONB. improvement programme, interpretation priorities and Management Plan review.
Quiet recreation, Kirkham Priory
106 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.6 AWARENESS AND PROMOTION
Raising awareness In general the 2000 Interpretation Strategy and subsequent studies indicated that there are 3 main Local people need to be aware of why the Howardian audiences to focus on: Hills AONB is of national importance and why it deserves intensive management effort. They also need • Local people living and working in the AONB. to know how it fits into both the conservation of natural resources and the delivery of ecosystem services at • Visitors (and potential visitors) to the AONB. an international level. Only then can they appreciate their role in guardianship and help promote its Special • Staff in partner organisations. Qualities to other people. These will continue to be the principal audiences Likewise, visitors need to be aware of when they are targeted by the Objectives contained in this section of in the AONB, so that they can recognise the difference the Management Plan. between it and the adjacent countryside and also the impact that their activities might have. It is important to General awareness of the AONB let people know that action on a global level can only start with people making changes at a local level and The Howardian Hills AONB is still a relatively recent that everyone can therefore make a difference. The Joint designation, having been confirmed in 1987. In Advisory Committee (JAC) has the lead role to play in comparison the better-known North York Moors National AND PROMOTION AWARENESS raising this awareness amongst both local people and Park, which adjoins the AONB, was designated in 1952. visitors. The 2003 AONB Visitors and Users Survey (10) asked whether interviewees were aware that they were In 2000 the JAC prepared an Interpretation Strategy in a nationally designated landscape. Levels of 69% to help guide its awareness-raising activities. This awareness were recorded amongst local people, but identified the main target audiences and also activities only 42% amongst staying visitors. Only half of those to increase the awareness and understanding of people however could specifically name the Howardian the AONB. The ideas and projects developed in that Hills AONB, therefore giving an average detailed Strategy were incorporated into the 2004 – 2009 awareness of only 25%. AONB Management Plan and many of them are now being implemented. The Interpretation Strategy and its Since that survey the JAC has implemented some major associated activities were reviewed by the Recreation initiatives to raise awareness. ‘Gateway signs’ have and Access Forum in 2006, and an independent study been installed on most of the roads entering the AONB, was also produced by an MSc student. The JAC resolved an annual Newsletter is published and local guided to incorporate the conclusions of these reports into walks leaflets have been produced. It is believed that the AONB Management Plan, rather than revise the the level of awareness has increased significantly as a separate Interpretation Strategy (which now no longer result of these initiatives, but there is a need to carry out therefore exists). follow-up research to quantify this.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 107 OBJECTIVE AP1 Awareness of local history and biodiversity RAISE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE AONB DESIGNATION, ITS IMPORTANCE AND The Howardian Hills AONB has an abundance of both THE ROLE OF THE JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE biodiversity and cultural heritage features. The 2003 community consultation events indicated however Action that many local people were unaware of these. Conservation and enhanced management can only be AP1.1 Maintain the existing ‘gateway signs’ achieved when sites become incorporated into the on roads entering the AONB and seek to ‘collective consciousness’ of the area, rather than being install signs on the A64. overgrown and forgotten. The Joint Advisory Committee has a pivotal role to play in informing people of the AP1.2 Publish and distribute information interesting sites that can be found in the AONB, as well about the AONB, at popular tourist as showing examples of good management. In that destinations, in village shops and in tourist way people will hopefully take a pride in their local accommodation. history and wildlife and seek to become involved in its management. OBJECTIVES NE3 and HE3 seek to involve AP1.3 Provide information on the AONB and the local communities in the monitoring and management of AWARENESS AND PROMOTION AWARENESS work of the JAC via the Annual Report, local sites. AONB Newsletter and AONB website. Demonstrating good practice to land managers is AP1.4 Maintain a high public profile in the local important in raising awareness of sites on their land media and at appropriate local events/ and promoting sympathetic management techniques. shows. OBJECTIVE NE11 in the Natural Environment section and OBJECTIVE HE4 in the Historic Environment section AP1.5 Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the advocate the use of events, etc to achieve this. AONB designation, in 2012. The AONB has an important role to play in contributing AP1.6 Carry out a follow-up Visitors and Users to improvements in physical and mental health and survey, to assess the impact of the JAC’s as a resource for all members of modern society. awareness-raising initiatives. Providing information about the physical recreational opportunities in the AONB and the ability to ‘get away from it all’ should lead to greater understanding and enjoyment of the landscape. Likewise, initiatives aimed at encouraging Under-Represented Groups to explore the AONB should lead to mutual benefits.OBJECTIVE RA2 in the Recreation, Access and Tourism section contains Actions to address these issues.
Between 2004 and 2009 a successful Heritage Lottery Fund-supported programme called the AONB Discovery Project worked with all the local primary schools and also ran a Junior Ranger Club providing environmental activities in school holidays. A new programme of activities needs to be developed to progress this initiative.
108 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 OBJECTIVE AP2 OBJECTIVE AP3
PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE SPECIAL CONTINUE THE VOLUNTEERING MECHANISM IN QUALITIES OF THE AONB THE AONB
Action Action
AP2.1 Prepare and distribute leaflets for AP3.1 Involve volunteers wherever possible, to individual AONB villages, detailing sites of assist with the delivery of appropriate biodiversity and cultural heritage interest. tasks and activities. (See also OBJECTIVES HE3 and RA9).
AP2.2 Continue the annual programme of guided walks and talks. Implementation and monitoring
AP2.3 Develop the programme of activities Please refer to the Implementation section, which with local schools and communities, as a details: successor to the AONB Discovery Project. • How the OBJECTIVES will be achieved. AND PROMOTION AWARENESS AP2.4 Install information boards at suitable sites. • The key partner organisations.
Volunteering • The role of the JAC.
As advocated in the previous Management Plan, a • The timescale and priority for action. volunteering mechanism was established to harness community action to help maintain and improve the • The mechanisms for measuring the performance local environment. Since 2005 volunteers have helped of the AONB Partnership and the Condition of the with a number of tasks, including habitat management AONB. work, manning the AONB stand at the Ryedale Show and other events, helping with the Junior Ranger Club and surveying the condition of Public Rights of Way. In 2007/08 a total of 70 person/days of volunteer time were donated to help with AONB projects and 110km of Public Rights of Way were surveyed.
This work is an important contribution to achieving Management Plan Objectives and of great assistance to the efforts of the permanent staff of the AONB Unit. Because the programme runs in tandem with North Yorkshire County Council’s Countryside Volunteers scheme, it also allows tasks to be promoted to volunteers from across North Yorkshire. With an efficient volunteering mechanism now established the programme of volunteer activity will continue, so as to keep local people involved in the conservation, enhancement and publicity of the AONB. AONB stand, Ryedale Show
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 109 AONB Gateway sign, near Terrington AWARENESS AND PROMOTION AWARENESS
110 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2.7 FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES
Management Zones Condition assessments allow the monitoring of site condition over time, as well as providing information for The landscape character types identified in Section the Condition Indicators that measure the overall health 2.3.1 form a convenient framework for considering local of the component features that make up the AONB’s areas of the AONB in more detail. A full description Special Qualities. of the individual landscape types is contained in The Howardian Hills Landscape report (6). Reference numbers in this part of the Plan refer to sites located on the large map, which can be found in The Landscape Priorities deal with the issues in each the pocket on the inside of the back cover or on the particular landscape character type. The specific CD. It should be noted that nearly all these sites sites have been included because they are especially are on private land and access is only available representative of the AONB’s Special Qualities or are via existing Public Rights of Way or by express known to be in need of restoration. The management permission of the landowner. priorities and suggested actions are not however intended to be prescriptive or exclusive. They should be Site designations: viewed as strategic recommendations intended to guide the activities of farmers, landowners and the various SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest. (National agencies that have an influence upon the management importance) of the Howardian Hills. It is hoped that they will help local communities, organisations and individuals to work SINC – Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. together to improve their own environment within an (County importance) agreed framework. In combination with the Objectives, they will also be used to determine priorities for local SM – Scheduled Monument. (National importance) funding and to decide where additional financial FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES incentives might be needed. RPG – Registered Park and Garden. (National importance) Condition/Risk
An assessment of the Condition or Risk category of each site is given, where this is known:
SSSI – Natural England information.
SINC – To be assessed 2009-11. Assessment from NYCC Local Area Agreement (LAA) monitoring.
SM – English Heritage information.
Other Historic Environment Priority Sites – To be assessed 2009-11. JAC assessment, using LAA-type criteria.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 111 PLATEAU (Zone 1) Historic Environment Priorities
Landscape Priorities Many prehistoric burial mounds, most of which are Scheduled Monuments, lie in this Zone. Evidence also of an extensive Retain and reinforce the ‘isolated almost upland’ character, system of hollow-ways. Opportunities to encourage greater resist unsympathetic development and explore opportunities to public appreciation of the historic landscape. diversify and soften the impact of ‘hard-edged’ woodlands: Neolithic long barrow, Black Hill (2.1) – SM. Medium • As opportunities arise, encourage diversification and Risk. Install protective roadside kerbing. re-design of conifer plantations, to increase variety and Round barrows, Yearsley (2.2) – SM. Low & Medium Risk. reflect local characteristics and topographical features. Give Reduce erosion by stock. priority to open space, natural regeneration or broadleaved Round barrows, Black Moor (2.3) – SM. High Risk. planting along woodland edges and roadsides; also natural Control bracken and establish a native grass sward. regeneration or broadleaved planting adjacent to existing Round barrows, Grimston Moor (2.4) – SM. Low, Medium fragments of semi-natural broadleaved woodland. & High Risk. Control tree and scrub growth. Control bracken and establish a native grass sward. • Encourage sensitive felling operations in terms of scale and Round barrows, Coney Hills (2.5) – SM. Medium & High phasing, especially in visually prominent locations. Risk. Control scrub growth. Reduce impact of burrowing animals. Reduce impact of arable ploughing. • Discourage large-scale extensions to existing woods. Field system, Swathgill (2.6) – Encourage sympathetic management of prehistoric field system & barrow and seek • Retain fragments of former heathland vegetation and to improve condition within an agricultural regime. encourage regeneration wherever possible during future Limekiln, Blackdale Plantation (2.7) – Keep structure woodland management proposals. clear of vegetation and produce management plan. Cropmarks of Iron Age/Roman field systems • Encourage appropriate planting to integrate the more and enclosures, Grimston Howl (2.8) – Encourage prominent buildings and structures into the landscape. continuation of sympathetic management agreement (ELS) and seek to improve condition within an agricultural regime. FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES • Encourage maintenance and, where appropriate, the Detailed survey of woodland fringes required to identify rebuilding of traditional drystone walls where these form a whether cropmarks survive as upstanding features. characteristic feature. Hollow-ways, Grimston Moor, Black Moor and Yearsley Moor (2.9) – Carry out community • Encourage replacement of post-and-rail fencing by hedges survey work, manage features as appropriate and, if opportunities arise, by drystone walls. and install low-key interpretation.
Natural Environment Priorities In liaison with owners, encourage repair of Listed Buildings at Risk using grant resources available from local authorities Encourage the creation of broadleaved riparian corridors and Government agencies. Where appropriate, explore and restoration of heathland habitats within existing opportunities for suitable changes of use to ensure their long- conifer plantations. term contribution to the cultural heritage of the area:
Grimston Moor (1.1) – SINC. Extensive areas of heathland Warren House barn, Brandsby (2.10) vegetation under recent pine plantations. Encourage restoration to open heathland habitat. Recreation Priorities High Lions Wood (1.2) – SINC. A mature secondary birch woodland with an acidic heath flora. Ensure retention as Yearsley Moor (3.1) – A popular car parking area for native broadleaved woodland. walkers. Discuss options with landowner and Forestry Commission for managing off-road parking area. Grimston Grange (3.2) – A large gravelled car park to the north-west of Grimston Grange crossroads. Opportunities for providing information and interpretation, e.g. of AONB and
112 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 adjacent historic landscape (as part of CAN DO Lime & Boggs Plantation (1.4) – SINC. The best example of Ice Project). a semi-natural valley alder wood in the AONB. Ensure High Lions Lodge (3.3) – An area of Common Land retention as native broadleaved woodland. formerly used as tipping area for soil and rubble. Explore Elder Slack (1.5) – SINC. A patchwork of calcareous semi- opportunities for restoration to more appropriate use/ natural ash wood and Norway spruce plantation, with an appearance. adjacent area of larch plantation that has an acidic heath Grimston Moor (3.4) – Private road leading to Forestry flora. Ensure retention of native broadleaved woodland and Commission woodland. Improve entrance gate arrangement encourage restoration of replanted sections. to facilitate access. Park Wood Fishponds and The Wilderness (1.6) – SINC. An interesting complex of habitats comprising open water, NORTHERN PLATEAU FRINGE (Zone 2A) fen, wet alder woodland and drier sessile oak woodland. Conifer regeneration removed from oak woodland in Landscape Priorities 2003. Encourage preparation of site management plan to maximise conservation interest and define future Seek opportunities to diversify and soften the impact of management priorities. Ensure retention as native woodlands and restore key elements of the former historic broadleaved woodland. parkland character: Piper Hill Plantation (1.7) – SINC. An extensive conifer plantation, with acidic heath flora on Yearsley Moor and • As opportunities arise, encourage diversification and localised Ancient woodland plants in Gill Hag/Ellery Bank. re-design of conifer plantations, to increase variety and Partial conversion to broadleaves in Gill Hag/Ellery Bank in reflect local characteristics and topographical features. Give 2004. Rhododendron control 2007. Encourage restoration of priority to open space, natural regeneration or broadleaved heathland/acidic broadleaved woodland on Yearsley Moor planting along woodland edges and roadsides; also natural and retention/restoration of native broadleaved woodland in regeneration or broadleaved planting adjacent to existing Gill Hag/Ellery Bank. Control spread of rhododendron away fragments of semi-natural broadleaved woodland. from old carriage drive.
• Encourage sympathetic felling operations in terms of scale Historic Environment Priorities and phasing, especially where visually prominent. A variety of prehistoric and later earthwork features are FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES • Encourage preparation of long-term landscape management present in this Zone. plans for the historic grounds of Newburgh Priory and Gilling Castle. Round barrows, Four Acre Wood and adjacent (2.11) – SM. Low & High Risk. Control scrub growth. Control • Where appropriate, maintain and restore landscape features bracken and establish a native grass sward. Reduce impact associated with former parkland, e.g. estate walls, avenues, of arable ploughing. parkland copses/trees and lakes. Cross dyke, Roman Plantation (2.12) – SM. Low & High Risk. Control scrub growth. Control bracken and establish a • Discourage new woodland planting proposals that detract native grass sward. from the character of the historic parklands. Round barrow, Yearsley Moor (2.13) – SM. Medium Risk. Control scrub growth. Natural Environment Priorities Hollow-ways, Grimston Moor, Black Moor and Yearsley Moor (2.9) – Carry out community survey work, Encourage the creation of broadleaved riparian corridors manage features as appropriate and install low-key and restoration of heathland habitats within existing interpretation. conifer plantations. The Stripe, Mount Plantation, Roman Plantation & Heron Lye Gill, Newburgh (2.14) – Reduce impact of Colley Broach Road Pasture (1.3) – SINC. A large field forestry, encourage more sympathetic management and of mainly unimproved neutral and marshy grassland. improve understanding of features in woodland, initially Encourage continuation of existing management agreement through a management plan (see below). (CSS) to safeguard interest.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 113 Encourage preparation and implementation of management Historic Environment Priorities plans that identify opportunities for conserving, enhancing and restoring elements of the historic landscape, both within and A variety of prehistoric and later earthwork features are beyond the registered parkland: present in this Zone.
Newburgh Priory (2.15) – RPG. Medieval village & field system, Thornton-on-the-Hill Gilling Castle (2.16) – RPG. (2.18) – Manage the whole area of earthworks under a stable grass sward. In liaison with owners, encourage repair of Listed Buildings Lynchets, ridge and furrow field system and other at Risk using grant resources available from local authorities earthworks, Oulston (2.19) – Manage the whole area of and Government agencies. Where appropriate, explore earthworks under a stable grass sward. opportunities for suitable changes of use to ensure their long- term contribution to the cultural heritage of the area: SOUTHERN PLATEAU FRINGE (Zone 2C)
Mill, Newburgh Park (2.17) Landscape Priorities
Recreation Priorities Strengthen the framework of hedges and encourage woodlands on steeper slopes and valley shoulders: Newburgh Priory Lake (3.5) – A popular surfaced roadside lay-by giving views over Newburgh Priory Lake. Monitor • Encourage planting of trees and copses using native level of use at peak periods. species, to strengthen existing landscape pattern. Yearsley Moor and Gilling Castle (3.6) – An extensive area of forest, much of which once formed the designed • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic landscape associated with Gilling Castle. The majority of management of hedges, particularly those in the most the woodland is leased by the Forestry Commission and visible locations. well-used public footpaths link Yearsley Moor with the Park Wood fishponds. Discuss opportunities with landowner • Conserve areas of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and for extending public access and installing interpretation promote appropriate forms of management. FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES facilities by agreement. • Encourage small-scale extensions of existing valley WESTERN PLATEAU FRINGE (Zone 2B) woodlands and new woodlands on the steeper slopes of the scarp face and valley shoulders, using native species or Landscape Priorities mixtures where plantations are already varied in character.
Strengthen the existing landscape framework of hedges and • In the valleys, maintain the more diverse landscape by hedgerow trees. Protect the open character of the higher retaining the small-scale field pattern and areas of semi- ground and encourage greater tree cover on steeper slopes: improved pasture along streams and on steeper slopes.
• Encourage planting of new small to medium-sized areas Natural Environment Priorities of broadleaved or mixed woodland on steeper slopes and valley shoulders. Discourage woodland planting on higher Hardy Bank (1.8) – SINC. A small area of Ancient woodland flatter ground and protect long-distance views. with an open canopy, reputed to be a remnant of the Forest of Galtres. Ensure retention as native broadleaved • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using woodland. native species, to strengthen existing landscape pattern. Moorside (Black Fir) Plantation (1.9) – SINC. A mature oak woodland, probably on an Ancient site. Ensure retention • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic as native broadleaved woodland. management of hedges, particularly those in the most Oulston Reservoir (1.10) – SINC. Two artificial lakes. visible locations. The lower one is mesotrophic and has extensive areas of adjacent fen meadow. Upper lake is more eutrophic. Discourage practices that would damage or pollute aquatic
114 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 habitats. Encourage sympathetic management of adjacent • Try to integrate modern developments into the landscape semi-natural fen and grassland habitats. through appropriate forms of tree planting. Peel Wood and Grassland (1.11) – SINC. An interesting complex of habitats including broadleaved woodland, • Encourage small-scale extensions of existing woods on the scrub and grassland. Native woodland area extended by steeper slopes of spurs. new planting in 2005. Encourage continuation of existing management agreements (HLS) to safeguard interest. Natural Environment Priorities Dale Wood (1.12) – SINC. One of the largest areas of semi- natural woodland in the AONB, with a variety of different Thorpe Spring Wood (1.13) – SINC. A largely semi- plant communities. Ensure retention of native broadleaved natural ash and oak woodland. Ensure retention as native woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections. broadleaved woodland.
Historic Environment Priorities Historic Environment Priorities
Archaeological survey to identify features related to woodland Medieval field system, Oswaldkirk Hall (2.22) – Manage management would be highly worthwhile in this Zone under a stable grass sward. and would aid understanding of the origins of the wood. Elsewhere, retain surviving earthworks under a stable EASTERN MOORS FRINGE (Zone 2E) grass sward. Landscape Priorities Cross dyke, Roman Plantation (2.12) – SM. Low & High Risk. Control scrub growth. Control bracken and establish a Strengthen the existing framework of hedges and hedgerow native grass sward. trees and promote appropriate forms of woodland Round barrows, Oulston Moor (2.20) – SM. Medium Risk. management: Control bracken and establish a native grass sward. Limekiln, New Piece Moor (2.21) – Trees and scrub • Conserve areas of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and removed in 2000. Monitor condition. promote appropriate forms of management. In Ancient replanted woodland, encourage greater use of native Recreation Priorities broadleaves. Elsewhere retain mixture of woodland types. FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES
Oulston Moor (3.7) – A popular starting point for circular • Promote retention, restoration and sympathetic walks around Pond Head and Oulston. Monitor usage and management of existing hedges, particularly those in the condition – stoned area now gated to prevent fly-tipping. most visible locations.
SOUTHERN MOORS FRINGE (Zone 2D) • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees, copses and small woods using native species to reinforce existing landscape Landscape Priorities pattern, especially in association with streamsides and areas of pasture. Conserve the ‘traditional’ landscape character, reinforce the existing framework of hedges, trees and woods and soften the • Promote sympathetic management of watercourses to impact of discordant features: enhance their visual and wildlife value.
• Maintain the diverse character of the landscape by retaining Natural Environment Priorities the small-scale field pattern and areas of pasture. Robson’s Spring (1.14) – SINC. An area of calcareous ash • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using woodland with a rich ground flora and forming part of a native species, to strengthen existing landscape pattern. larger woodland complex. Some parts have been replanted with conifers. Ensure retention of native broadleaved • Promote sympathetic management of watercourses to woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections. enhance their visual and wildlife value. East Plock Woods (1.15) – SINC. A plantation of beech, sycamore and larch on an Ancient site. Encourage
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 115 restoration to native broadleaved woodland. Historic Environment Priorities River Rye, Helmsley Bridge to West Ness (1.16) – SINC. A stretch of ‘natural’ river, the banks of which Round barrow, Stearsby Hag (2.24) – SM. Control tree support a varied flora and fauna. Discourage management and scrub growth. Control bracken and establish a native practices that would damage or pollute the river system and grass sward. Install protective roadside kerbing. associated habitats. Manage tree canopy to benefit river City of Troy Maze, Stearsby Hag (2.25) – Continue with ecosystem and manage invasive non-native species (mink, current sympathetic management regime. Himalayan balsam). Limekiln, High Wood (2.26) – Keep structure clear of vegetation and prepare management plan. Historic Environment Priorities Ice house, Brandsby Hall (2.27) – Assess condition and if necessary prepare management plan to guide future Cropmarks of field system, Grange Farm (2.23) – Seek to management. improve condition within an agricultural regime. Cropmarks of prehistoric dyke and triple bank, Cop Howe (2.28) – Seek to improve condition within an SOUTHERN RIDGE (Zone 3A) agricultural regime. Survey adjacent woodland fringes for upstanding remains and seek to manage sympathetically. Landscape Priorities Ridge and furrow field system, Brandsby (2.29) – Very good surviving remains of a medieval field system. Manage Conserve the landscape balance between broadleaved under a stable grass sward. woodland and farmland and restore those features which have declined or have been lost: SOUTH EAST RIDGE (Zone 3B)
• Retain broadleaved character of woodlands and encourage Landscape Priorities greater use of native broadleaves wherever possible. Try to restore a more strongly-hedged landscape framework, • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using with a higher density of tree cover and promote more native species, to strengthen landscape pattern. woodland planting to integrate the area more closely with adjoining landscapes: FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES • Promote retention, restoration and sympathetic management of existing hedges, particularly those in the • Encourage appropriate management of Ancient woodland most visible locations. sites, with greater use of native broadleaves.
• Promote sympathetic management of watercourses to • Encourage planting of new small to medium-sized areas of enhance their visual and wildlife value. broadleaved or mixed woodland at locations which do not interrupt long-distance views, particularly on the more open • Restore character of highway corridor along foot of scarp. scarp slopes and valley sides towards the south of the area and in association with farmsteads. Natural Environment Priorities • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using Fairy Dell (1.17) – SINC. A species-rich unimproved pasture native species, to reinforce landscape pattern. with a spring, stream and recently-enlarged pond. Hay cut 2005 & 2006. Encourage negotiation of management • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic agreement to safeguard remaining interest. management of existing hedges, particularly those in the Stearsby Hag (1.18) – SINC. A large plantation of beech most visible locations. and sycamore on an Ancient site. Encourage restoration to native broadleaved woodland. • On scarp slopes, tributary valleys and around villages, Stearsby Hag Grassland (1.19) – A small fragment maintain the more diverse character by retaining the small- of semi-improved neutral grassland on a steep bank. scale field pattern and areas of pasture. Encourage continuation of existing management agreement (CSS) to safeguard interest.
116 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 • Conserve and enhance areas of parkland. • Discourage new isolated woodland planting proposals on northern dip slope, to retain open landscape character. • Ensure any upgrading of the A64 trunk road respects the character and high quality of the landscape and find • Encourage sensitive felling operations in terms of scale and opportunities for new planting in the highway corridor. phasing, especially where visually prominent.
Natural Environment Priorities • Conserve areas of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland and promote appropriate forms of management. In Ancient Little Dale, Mowthorpe (1.20) – SINC. An area of replanted woodland, encourage greater use of native unimproved marshy grassland with a varied flora. Scrub broadleaves, especially towards prominent skylines and in control and fen cutting in 2007; scrub control and site association with parklands. fenced in 2008 and grazing by Exmoor ponies introduced. Encourage continuation of management agreement (AONB) • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic to safeguard interest. Continue scrub control and habitat management of existing hedges, particularly those in the restoration. most visible locations. Bulmer Beck Mire (1.21) – SINC. An area of rank fen grassland and marshy flushes. Re-fenced in 2002 • Conserve historic linear field pattern and network of and grazing by Exmoor ponies introduced. Encourage ancient trackways. continuation of existing management agreement (HLS) to safeguard interest. • Discourage extension of limestone quarries beyond existing Bulmer Mire (1.22) – SINC. An area of marshy grassland at permitted areas and try to reduce impact through planting. the foot of a small valley. Encourage continuation of existing management agreement (CSS) to safeguard interest. Natural Environment Priorities Bulmer Hag (1.23) – SINC. An area of oak woodland on an Ancient site, much of which has a semi-natural appearance. Wath Quarry (1.24) – SSSI. A quarry face of geological Sections have been replanted with conifers. Ensure interest. Support continued sympathetic management retention of native broadleaved woodland and encourage through agreement with Natural England. Condition restoration of replanted sections. – Favourable. Scar Wood (1.25) – SINC. One of the three best ash FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES Historic Environment Priorities woodlands in the AONB, with a rich flora. Sections have been replanted with non-native species. Two areas of young Round barrow, Terrington (2.30) – SM. High Risk. Control sycamore plantation restored to native broadleaves in 2007 tree and scrub growth. & 2008. Ensure retention of native broadleaved woodland Earthworks of ridge and furrow & settlement and encourage restoration of replanted sections. shrinkage, High Stittenham (2.31) – Manage the whole Grange Farm, Gilling (1.26) – SINC. A small area of area of earthworks under a stable grass sward. unimproved calcareous grassland, including the site of Field system, Mill Fields (2.32) – Encourage removal of a former quarry. Encourage negotiation of agreement to tipped infill material. Manage the whole area of earthworks ensure sympathetic management. under a stable grass sward. Mill Wood (1.27) – SINC. An area of semi-natural oak-birch Earthworks of medieval field system, lynchets and woodland with ash on the upper slopes. Ensure retention as possible enclosure, Whitwell-on-the-Hill (2.33) native broadleaved woodland. – Manage the whole area of earthworks under a stable Calf Close Wood (1.28) – SINC. An area of oak-ash grass sward. woodland on an Ancient site, much of which has a semi- natural appearance although some areas originate from NORTH RIDGE (Zone 3C) planting. Ensure retention of native broadleaved woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections. Landscape Priorities Horse Coppice (1.29) – SINC. An area of mainly mature oak woodland on an Ancient site, although probably Maintain the contrast between the wooded scarp slope originates from planting. Hazel partially re-coppiced in 2000. and open dip slope, reinforce the framework of hedges and Ensure retention as native broadleaved woodland. encourage sensitive woodland management:
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 117 Disused Quarry at Wath (1.30) – SINC. An area existing management agreement (CSS) to safeguard and of calcareous grassland in a disused quarry. Assess improve interest. conservation management priorities. Wath Wood Boundary (1.31) – SINC. A small area of Historic Environment Priorities unimproved calcareous grassland on the northern edge of Wath Wood. Invading scrub removed in 2000. Sward High priority area within the arable land of the scarp slope, maintained by rabbit grazing. Encourage continuation of with many nationally important cropmarks of prehistoric existing sympathetic management. land use, both scheduled and unscheduled, needing further Wath Wood & Hollin Hill Plantation (1.32) – SINC. A investigation and conservation. Initiate a programme of work to large area of Ancient woodland, sections of which retain a characterise the type and extent of remains as well as degree semi-natural character with a notable flora. Other sections of preservation. Use as the basis for advising on programmes have been replanted with conifers. Ensure retention of of management to fully protect important features. native broadleaved woodland and encourage restoration of planted sections. Linear dyke, Coneysthorpe Banks Wood (2.34) – SM. Hollin Hill Bogs (1.33) – SINC. A relatively large area of High Risk. Control tree growth. Control bracken and spring-fed semi-natural alder carr of high conservation establish a native grass sward. interest. Ensure retention as native broadleaved woodland. Round barrow, Hovingham (2.35) – SM. Medium Risk. Manage invasive non-native species (Himalayan balsam). Reduce impact of arable ploughing. Encourage continuation Slingsby Banks Wood (1.34) – SINC. An area of oak of existing management agreements (EH & CSS) to woodland on an Ancient site, although originating from safeguard interest. replanting. Contains several recent plantings of conifers. Round barrows, Hovingham High Wood (2.36) – SM. Ensure retention of native broadleaved woodland and Medium & High Risk. Control tree and scrub growth. encourage restoration of replanted sections. Establish a native grass sward. Slingsby Bank Verges (1.35) – SINC. A length of species- Round barrows, Hovingham South Wood (2.37) – SM. rich calcareous grassland on a roadside verge. Encourage High Risk. Control tree and scrub growth. Establish a native continuation of existing management agreement (CSS) to grass sward. safeguard interest. Linear dyke, Fryton & Slingsby Banks Wood (2.38) Slingsby Disused Quarry (1.36) – SINC. Unimproved – SM. Control tree and scrub growth. Control bracken and FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES and semi-improved calcareous grassland on an old quarry. establish a native grass sward. Invading scrub cleared in 2007. Encourage continuation of Round barrows, Fryton East & West Woods (2.39) – SM. sympathetic grassland management. Medium Risk. Control tree and scrub growth. Establish a Coneysthorpe Banks Wood (1.37) – SINC. A large native grass sward. Reduce impact of burrowing animals. plantation of mainly larch, sycamore and Norway spruce Round barrow & cross dyke, Scarrish Wood (2.40) on an Ancient site. Ensure retention of native broadleaved – SM. Medium & High Risk. Control tree and scrub growth. woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections. Control bracken and establish a native grass sward. Amotherby Lane (1.38) – SINC. A small patch of Cross dyke, Coneysthorpe Banks Wood (2.41) – SM. calcareous grassland containing knapweed broomrape, High Risk. Reduce impact of arable ploughing. Control tree within an area of scrub. Rabbit fenced in 1998 and cut and scrub growth. Establish a native grass sward. rotationally. Encourage continuation of existing management Round barrows, Easthorpe (2.42) – SM. High Risk. agreement (AONB) to safeguard interest. Reduce impact of arable ploughing. Establish a native grass Hildenley Top Reservoir (1.39) – SINC. Species-rich sward. calcareous grassland on a covered reservoir. Managed Cropmarks of ancient trackways and settlements, by Yorkshire Water and generally cut sympathetically. Barton and Slingsby Heights (2.43) – Seek to improve Encourage continuation of existing management. condition within an agricultural regime. Broughton Lane (1.40) – SINC. Species-rich verges along a Probable Roman camp, Diana Hill (2.44) – Seek to green lane, containing a significant population of knapweed improve condition within an agricultural regime. broomrape. Encourage sympathetic management by gypsy Moated site, Wath (2.45) – Carry out further investigation pony grazier, to safeguard interest. to assess historic value. Cawton Bank (1.41) – An area of semi-improved neutral Field systems, Easthorpe Hall (2.46) – Manage the whole grassland on a steep bank. Fenced in 2003 and grazing area of earthworks under a stable grass sward. by Exmoor ponies introduced. Encourage continuation of
118 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Field systems, Hildenley Hall Estate (2.47) – Manage the • Encourage planting of new small areas of broadleaved whole area of earthworks under a stable grass sward. or mixed woodland towards the foot of the dip slope, in Limekiln, Kitscrew Wood (2.48) – Encourage control of locations that do not interrupt long-distance views. scrub and consolidation works as necessary. Limekiln and bridge Hildenley Wood (2.49) – Keep Natural Environment Priorities structure clear of vegetation, survey area to check for other features and prepare management plan. Nunnington Cutting & Quarries (1.42) – SSSI. Two Limekiln, Scar Wood (2.50) – Trees removed 2006. disused quarries and an adjacent railway cutting of Encourage continued control of scrub and consolidation/re- geological interest. Support continued sympathetic building of front wall. management through agreement with Natural England. Cropmark complex of square barrows, double-ditched Condition – Favourable. trackway and enclosures, Cawton (2.51) – Seek to River Rye, Helmsley Bridge to West Ness (1.16) improve condition within an agricultural regime. – SINC. A stretch of ‘natural’ river, the banks of which Orchard, Slingsby (2.52) – Historic orchard, containing support a varied flora and fauna. Discourage management many old species of apple tree. Encourage implementation practices that would damage or pollute the river system and of management plan. associated habitats. Manage tree canopy to benefit river Limekiln, Hovingham Spa (2.53) – Control scrub growth ecosystem and manage invasive non-native species (mink, and clear tipped debris to establish how much of original Himalayan balsam). structure remains. Caulkleys Bank (1.43) – SINC. Species-rich unimproved calcareous pasture on a steep hillside. Encourage Encourage the preparation and implementation of management continuation of existing management agreement (CSS) to plans that identify opportunities for conserving, enhancing and safeguard interest. restoring elements of the historic landscape: Caulkleys Wood (1.44) – SINC. A calcareous ash woodland on an escarpment, parts of which have been replanted with Hovingham Park (2.54) non-native species. Ensure retention of native broadleaved Swinton Grange (2.55) woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections.
Historic Environment Priorities
CAULKLEYS BANK (Zone 3D) FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES
Landscape Priorities This area has many similarities with Zone 3C, having many cropmarks of prehistoric landscape features, although none Strengthen the framework of hedges and seek opportunities to are scheduled. extend woodland and tree cover while retaining the essentially open character of the dip slope: Earthworks, Stonegrave Church & adjacent (2.56) – SM. Low Risk. • In existing woodlands, encourage sympathetic felling Earthworks, East Newton Hall (2.57) – Encourage operations in terms of scale and phasing, especially where continuation of existing management agreement (CSS) to visually prominent. safeguard interest. Cropmarks of prehistoric/Roman enclosures and • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic trackways, Caulkleys Bank (2.58) – Seek to improve management of existing hedges, particularly those in the condition within an agricultural regime. most visible locations. 2/3 limekilns, Limekiln Plantation (2.59) – Keep structures clear of vegetation, survey area to check for other features • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using and prepare management plan. native species, to reinforce landscape pattern. Limekiln, Quarry Plantation (2.60) – Trees removed 2004 & 2006. Encourage continued control of scrub and • Conserve and reinforce linear tree belts, avenues and other consolidation works as necessary. parkland features. Cropmarks of probable Iron Age square barrow cemetery, Caulkleys Bank (2.61) – Seek to improve condition within an agricultural regime.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 119 Encourage the implementation of the management plan • Promote sympathetic management of watercourses to to conserve, enhance and restore elements of the enhance their visual and wildlife value. Encourage retention historic landscape: of semi-natural vegetation on remaining sections of disused railway. Nunnington Hall (2.62) – RPG. Natural Environment Priorities In liaison with owners, encourage repair of Listed Buildings at Risk using grant resources available from local authorities and Foxfoot Hay (1.45) – SINC. A wide ditch with semi-natural Government agencies: marginal vegetation. Encourage continuation of existing management agreement (CSS) on adjacent land. Milepost, Stonegrave Lodge (2.63) – Repair Thorpe Grange (1.46) – SINC. An area of neutral grassland broken structure. with patches of scrub, on a disused railway. Fenced in 2004, to allow introduction of conservation grazing. Encourage Recreation Priorities continuation of sympathetic management.
Caulkleys Bank (3.8) – A popular gravelled roadside lay-by, Historic Environment Priorities giving panoramic views over the Vale of Pickering. Provides access to well-used Public Rights of Way to east and west. Where pockets of ridge and furrow survive, retain the whole Encourage sympathetic maintenance to provide a level area under a stable grass sward. surface. Develop information and interpretation of AONB Where cropmark features of prehistoric date have been and adjacent natural and historic landscape, based on identified, explore options to remove from cultivation, reduce Nunnington village. plough depth or similar options. Nunnington Hall (3.9) – 17th century manor house owned by the National Trust and attracting around 60,000 visitors VALE OF PICKERING (Zone 4B) annually. The Hall is served by a large landscaped car park and an additional overflow car park was constructed in Landscape Priorities 1999. Monitor ability of overflow car park to cope with peak demands. Strengthen the landscape framework by restoration of hedges, FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES Nunnington (3.10) – A large informal parking area on hedgerow trees and copses while retaining the contrast with the site of former Estate sawmill. Monitor current ad more heavily-wooded slopes to the north and south: hoc arrangement. • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using VALE OF YORK (Zone 4A) native species, to reinforce existing landscape pattern.
Landscape Priorities • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic management of existing hedges, particularly those in the Strengthen the landscape framework by restoration of hedges, most visible locations. hedgerow trees and copses while retaining the contrast with more heavily-wooded areas to the north and south: • Encourage planting of new small areas of broadleaved or mixed woodland. • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using native species, to reinforce landscape pattern. • Promote sympathetic management of watercourses to enhance their visual and wildlife value. • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic management of hedges, particularly those in the most Natural Environment Priorities visible locations. Thorpe Grange (1.46) – SINC. An area of neutral grassland • Encourage planting of new small areas of broadleaved or with patches of scrub, on a disused railway. Fenced in 2004, mixed woodland. to allow introduction of conservation grazing. Encourage continuation of sympathetic management.
120 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Cawton Fens (1.47) – SINC. Two areas of calcareous fen, CASTLE HOWARD BASIN (Zone 5) abandoned as arable land in 1985. Eastern area fenced in 2003 and grazing by Exmoor ponies introduced. Encourage Landscape Priorities continuation of existing management agreement (CSS) to safeguard interest. Conserve and enhance the integrity of the historic designed landscape: Historic Environment Priorities • Complete the landscape restoration and management plan, Two areas of cropmarks of prehistoric enclosures at to safeguard the integrity of the historic landscape. Hovingham Carrs and north of Mill Holm Plantation would be suitable for exploring options to remove from cultivation, • Where appropriate, maintain and restore landscape features reduce plough depth or similar options. associated with former parkland, e.g. parkland trees, walls and avenues. Cross in Churchyard, Gilling (2.64) – SM. Medium Risk. Consolidate to prevent collapse. • Discourage new woodland planting proposals that detract from the landscape character of the historic In liaison with owners, encourage repair of Listed Buildings at parkland. Encourage retention of strong broadleaved Risk using grant resources available from local authorities and woodland character through long-term conversion of Government agencies: conifer plantations.
Limekiln, Cawton Hall (2.65) • In the outer basin, promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic management of existing hedges and encourage CRAYKE (Zone 4C) planting of hedgerow trees.
Landscape Priorities Natural Environment Priorities
Retain and enhance the strong hedge and hedgerow tree Castle Howard Avenue and Park (1.48) – SINC. The older pattern and encourage new areas of small-scale woodland: parts of the Avenue and the car park contain many trees that are now of a considerable age. Survey work in 2003 FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic confirmed that these support invertebrate populations of management of existing hedges, particularly those in the County importance. Encourage retention and appropriate most visible locations. management of veteran trees wherever possible. Castle Howard Great Lake (1.49) – SINC. A wetland of • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using ornithological interest, particularly for wintering wildfowl native species, to reinforce existing pattern. and passage birds. Encourage preparation of management plan, to maximise conservation interest and define future • Encourage new small-scale plantations using native species priorities. Discourage practices that would damage or or mixtures. pollute aquatic habitats. Brandrith Wood (1.50) – SINC. An oak woodland, mostly • Promote sympathetic management of watercourses to on an Ancient site but probably originating from plantation. enhance their visual and wildlife value. Areas have been replanted with non-native species. Ensure retention of native broadleaved woodland and encourage Historic Environment Priorities restoration of replanted sections. Castle Howard Terrace, Temple and New River (1.51) Where pockets of ridge and furrow survive, particularly around – SINC. A complex of mown, improved and unimproved Crayke Manor and Crayke Castle, retain the whole area under grassland; a landscaped pond and an area of mire. Assess a stable grass sward. Where cropmark features of prehistoric conservation management priorities. date have been identified, explore options to remove from Gillylees and Pretty Woods (1.52) – SINC. A large cultivation, reduce plough depth or similar options. woodland complex with a mosaic of habitat types including areas of Ancient woodland, although much replanted with Crayke Castle (2.66) – SM. Low Risk. non-native species. Ensure retention of native broadleaved
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 121 woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections. Castle Howard (2.74) – RPG. Nova Scotia (1.53) – SINC. A large mainly semi-natural secondary woodland of ash and birch with an interesting In liaison with owners, encourage repair of Listed Buildings flora. Some sections have been replanted with conifers. at Risk using grant resources available from local authorities Ensure retention of native broadleaved woodland and and Government agencies. Where appropriate, explore encourage restoration of replanted sections. opportunities for suitable changes of use to ensure their long- Horse Close Rush (1.54) – SINC. A plantation of oak, term contribution to the cultural heritage of the area: beech and sycamore with high invertebrate value, on an Ancient site. Ensure retention of native broadleaved The Stray (Mock Fortifications), Castle Howard (2.75) woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections. – Grade I. The Pyramid, St Anne’s Hill, Castle Howard (2.76) Historic Environment Priorities – Grade I. The Mausoleum, Castle Howard (2.77) – Grade I. Although this Zone already has considerable protection Walls to walled garden, Castle Howard (2.78) – Grade I. by the inclusion of Castle Howard and its grounds in the Former bone grinding mill, stables, hayloft and smithy, Register of Parks and Gardens, this should not hinder greater Low Gaterley (2.79) understanding of the complexity of the landscape, which White Gate (piers), Welburn (2.80) includes much earlier and pre-parkland features such as the round barrow in The Avenue. Conservation of such Recreation Priorities complementary features is needed. Initiate further survey of historic structures and landscape Castle Howard Lake (3.11) – One of the most popular features, including veteran trees, to explore the detailed car parks in the AONB, serving as a base for walks around chronology of the landscape. Encourage enhanced or the lake and providing one of the ‘classic’ views of Castle continued high-quality management measures, and encourage Howard. The current car park is unsurfaced and in places greater public appreciation of the historic landscape. very eroded. Planning consent was granted in 2001 to create a new car park on the eastern side of the road. If the new Round barrow, Castle Howard Avenue (2.67) – SM. Low car park is constructed, encourage sensitive restoration of Risk. the former car park site and appropriate management of FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES Round barrow, Welburn (2.68) – SM. Medium Risk. trees to ensure continued views of house/lake. Consider Manage tree growth. Ensure continuation of sympathetic scope for the provision of AONB information. management agreement (CSS) to safeguard interest. Castle Howard (3.12) – The historic house and parkland of Round barrow, Pretty Wood (2.69) – SM. Medium Risk. Castle Howard attracts around 215,000 visitors a year and Control tree growth. Reduce impact of arable ploughing. is easily the most popular site within the AONB. Served by Ice House, Castle Howard (2.70) a large car park with capacity for several hundred vehicles. Medieval ridge and furrow field systems, As the principal focal point for visitors within the AONB, Coneysthorpe (2.71) – There are indications that these there is considerable scope for the provision of information. may have been deliberately incorporated into the park. Consider interpretation facilities that help to explain and Manage the whole area of earthworks under a stable raise awareness of the AONB and management issues grass sward. affecting it. Also explore opportunities for sustainable Parish boundary, Brick Kiln Wood (2.72) – This survives transport links with nearby Kirkham Priory. as an upstanding earthwork. Seek to maintain visibility and Sheep Walk (3.13) – Parking facilities at the crest of prevent damage. the hill were closed in 1999, due to highway danger Mill, Todd Wood (2.73) – Trees and scrub removed in 2000 and vehicles blocking access tracks. These were used & 2005. Building remains consolidated in 2002. A number as a base for popular walks along the ridge top and of associated structures and the mill race also identified an informal parking area has now developed at the and suitable for survey. Encourage continued scrub control, foot of the Sheep Walk hill. Encourage provision of building restoration where appropriate, management of sensitively-designed but hard-surfaced parking area ruined features and public interpretation. for 3/4 cars, to maximise parking opportunity and prevent verge damage/blocking of access tracks. Encourage the implementation of the management plan to conserve, enhance and restore elements of the historic landscape:
122 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 CENTRAL HILLS AND VALLEYS (Zone 6) Piper Hill Plantation (1.7) – SINC. An extensive conifer plantation, with acidic heath flora on Yearsley Moor and Landscape Priorities localised Ancient woodland plants in Gill Hag/Ellery Bank. Partial conversion to broadleaves in Gill Hag/Ellery Bank in Maintain the balance between woodland and farmland, 2004. Rhododendron control 2007. Encourage restoration of strengthen the existing framework of hedges and heathland/acidic broadleaved woodland on Yearsley Moor hedgerow trees and promote appropriate forms of and retention/restoration of native broadleaved woodland in woodland management: Gill Hag/Ellery Bank. Control spread of rhododendron away from old carriage drive. • Conserve areas of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland Toft Wood (1.57) – SINC. An Ancient woodland containing and promote appropriate forms of management. In semi-natural sections with a rich flora, but the majority Ancient replanted woodland, encourage greater use replanted with conifers. Ensure retention of native of native broadleaves. broadleaved woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections. • Try to diversify pure conifer plantations with broadleaved Mugdale and Barker Woods (1.58) – SINC. A complex of planting, natural regeneration and open space on woodland Ancient woodland habitats with an interesting flora. Some edges, rides, streamsides and in positions overlooked by hazel coppicing carried out in 2001. Native woodland area higher ground. extended by new planting on Mugdale Hill in 2002. Ensure retention as native broadleaved woodland. • In more extensive woodland blocks, encourage sympathetic Grange Bogs (1.59) – SINC. A complex of fen, unimproved felling operations in terms of scale and phasing, especially pasture and marshy woodland. New fencing installed where visually prominent. on northern part of site in 2003 and grazing by Exmoor ponies introduced. Encourage continuation of sympathetic • Encourage planting of new small to medium-sized areas conservation grazing of fen and pasture. Ensure retention of of broadleaved or mixed woodland as extensions of native broadleaved marshy woodland. existing woods, in valley bottoms, on lower slopes and in Bull Ings (1.60) – SINC. A complex of fen, wet grassland association with farmsteads. and unimproved pasture. New fencing installed on western part of site in 2003 and grazing by Exmoor ponies • Promote the retention, restoration and sympathetic introduced. Encourage continuation of sympathetic FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES management of existing hedges, particularly those in the conservation grazing of fen and pasture. most visible locations. Coulton Fen (1.61) – SINC. A narrow strip of valley bog mire and wet woodland. New fencing installed in 2003 • Encourage planting of hedgerow trees and copses using and grazing by Exmoor ponies introduced. Encourage native species, to strengthen landscape pattern. continuation of sympathetic conservation grazing. Rose Cottage Farm Meadow (1.62) – SINC. A small area • Conserve and enhance areas of parkland. of unimproved calcareous grassland. Encourage negotiation of management agreement to secure continuation of • Ensure any upgrading of the A64 trunk road respects the sympathetic grassland management. character and high quality of the landscape and seek Swinsey Carr (1.63) – SINC. An Ancient woodland, opportunities for new planting in the highway corridor. predominantly ash, with a good flora. Ensure retention as native broadleaved woodland. Natural Environment Priorities The Hag, Wiganthorpe Wood (1.64) – SINC. Ancient semi-natural alder wood with a rich flora. Ensure retention Horse Field, Gilling (1.55) – SSSI. A formerly unimproved as native broadleaved woodland. hay-meadow, now much degraded. Support restoration Howthorpe (1.65) – SINC. Two areas of unimproved management through agreement with Natural England calcareous and marshy grassland. Himalayan balsam cut (CSS). Condition – Unfavourable, no change. in 2008. Encourage continuation of existing management Dalby Bush Fen (1.56) – SSSI. A diverse complex of agreement (CSS) to safeguard interest. Manage invasive fen and wet woodland. Support continued sympathetic non-native species (Himalayan balsam). management through agreement with Natural England. Terrington Moor (1.66) – SINC. A small area of acid fen, Condition – Favourable. abandoned as arable land in 1985. Fenced in 2001 and
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 123 grazing by Exmoor ponies introduced. Scrub control in 2006. Limekiln, Maidensworth Farm (2.88) – Trees removed Encourage continuation of existing management agreement 2005. Encourage continued control of scrub and (CSS) to safeguard interest. consolidation works as necessary. Terrington Carr (1.67) – SINC. A small area of acid peat Limekiln, Toft Hill (2.89) – Scrub removed 2001 & 2005. bog, the remnant of a much larger site (afforested 1800s). Encourage continued control of scrub and Water levels raised on southern part of site in 2000 and consolidation works. shallow pools created in 2001. Water levels raised on Limekiln, Stone Flint Wood (2.90) – Scrub removed 2001. northern part of site in 2002. Encourage continuation of Monitor condition. 3-yearly birch coppicing cycle. Enclosures and field system, Scackleton (2.91) Grassland adjacent to Swinsey Carr SINC (1.68) – SINC. – An extensive complex of prehistoric enclosures An area of semi-improved neutral, acid and marshy and field systems. Seek to improve condition in an grassland on a steep bank. Encourage introduction of agricultural regime. conservation grazing. Fens below Coulton Mill (1.69) – SINC. Areas of fen Encourage the preparation and implementation of management and semi-improved neutral and marshy grassland along plans which identify opportunities for conserving, enhancing a beck. Discourage any further drainage work. Encourage and restoring elements of the historic landscape: sympathetic grazing management. Wiganthorpe Hall (2.92) Historic Environment Priorities In liaison with owners, encourage repair of Listed Buildings An important and almost continuous prehistoric and at Risk using grant resources available from local authorities Roman landscape under arable cultivation on the high and Government agencies. Where appropriate, explore ground from Scackleton westwards, which would benefit opportunities for suitable changes of use to ensure their long- from improvements within an agricultural regime. Initiate term contribution to the cultural heritage of the area: further archaeological survey, and encourage greater public appreciation of the historic landscape. Ice house, Wiganthorpe Hall (2.93) Moor House cow byre, stables, granary & cart shed, Enclosures/field system, Potter Hill (2.81) – SM. Low Hovingham (2.94) – Granary re-roofed 2008. FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES Risk. An important site, reverted to pasture in 2001. Encourage continuation of existing management agreement Recreation Priorities (CSS) to safeguard interest. Round barrows, Fryton & Hall Moors (2.82) – SM. Bell Bottom Wood (3.14) – A small informal gravelled Low, Medium & High Risk. Remove recently planted trees. lay-by used as a base for forest walks. Current capacity Reduce impact of arable ploughing. could easily be increased from 2/3 cars to 3/4 cars, thereby Moated site & ridge and furrow, Scackleton (2.83) reducing parking on adjacent verges. Encourage landowner – SM. High Risk. Control tree and scrub growth. Reduce to allow increase in capacity of parking area. erosion by stock. Round barrow, Wiganthorpe (2.84) – SM. Medium Risk. DERWENT GORGE (Zone 7) Control tree and scrub growth. Round barrows, Moor House Farm, Hovingham (2.85) Landscape Priorities – SM. High Risk. Reduce impact of arable ploughing. Field system, Swathgill (2.6) – Encourage sympathetic Conserve and restore the ‘traditional’ landscape character management of prehistoric field system & barrow and seek of broadleaved woodland, small-scale fields and to improve condition within an agricultural regime. waterside habitats: Park or parish boundary banks, Cum Hag Wood (2.86) – These survive as upstanding earthworks. Seek to maintain • In existing woodlands encourage sympathetic felling visibility and prevent damage. Research and survey would operations in terms of scale and phasing, especially where aid understanding. visually prominent. Ridge and furrow field system, High Hutton (2.87) – Manage the whole area of earthworks under a stable • Conserve areas of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland grass sward. and promote appropriate forms of management. In
124 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Ancient replanted woodland, encourage greater use of Howsham Wood (1.77) – SINC. A large woodland of very native broadleaves. high conservation interest, containing the largest area of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland in the AONB. Other • Conserve or re-create riverside wetland habitats and flood sections have been replanted with non-native species. plain meadows at appropriate locations. Encourage the preparation and adoption of a comprehensive management plan, ensure retention of native broadleaved • Ensure any upgrading of the A64 trunk road respects the woodland and encourage restoration of replanted sections. character and high quality of the landscape and seek Sandlands Meadow (1.78) – SINC. A species-rich opportunities for new planting in the highway corridor. unimproved hay meadow adjacent to the River Derwent. Encourage continuation of existing management agreement Natural Environment Priorities (CSS) to safeguard interest. Adjacent to Sandlands Meadow SINC (1.79) – SINC. Jeffry Bog (1.70) – SSSI. A complex of neutral grassland, An area of marshy grassland and mire, restored from marsh and wet woodland adjacent to the River Derwent, conifer plantation from 2003 onwards. Willow cut in 2006 owned by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Encourage & 2007; Himalayan balsam controlled in 2006. Encourage continuation of existing management agreement (CSS). continuation of existing management agreement (CSS) to Condition – Favourable. safeguard interest. Control willow regrowth and invasive Kirkham Park and Riverside (1.71) – SSSI. A site noted non-native species (Himalayan balsam). for its geomorphological interest as well as its complex of Far Wood Close (1.80) – SINC. An area of mainly riverside communities including woodland, grassland, fen unimproved neutral grassland adjacent to the River Derwent and marsh. Support continued sympathetic management and Howsham Wood. Encourage sympathetic management. through agreement with Natural England. Manage invasive Grassland between Jeffry Bog SINC and Kirkham non-native species (Himalayan balsam). Condition – 75% Park SSSI (1.81) – SINC. An area of semi-improved neutral Favourable; 25% Unfavourable, no change. grassland next to the River Derwent SSSI. Encourage Mount Pleasant Quarry (1.72) – SSSI. A disused quarry introduction of conservation grazing and management of face of geological interest. Support continued sympathetic invasive non-native species (Himalayan balsam). management through agreement with Natural England. Condition – Favourable. Historic Environment Priorities River Derwent (1.73) – SSSI. Also of international FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES importance and designated a Special Area of Conservation A number of nationally important sites such as the Crambeck (SAC). Part of an extensive river system, considered to be Roman potteries and Kirkham Priory lie in this Zone. one of the best British examples of an unpolluted lowland Encourage enhanced or continued high-quality management of river with a ‘classic’ river profile, and supporting diverse monuments and monitor their condition. communities of aquatic flora and fauna. Address diffuse pollution issues through partnership work with Natural Moated site, Low Hutton (2.95) – SM. High Risk. Reduce England. Condition – 5% Favourable; 95% Unfavourable, erosion by stock. Encourage continuation of existing no change. management agreement (CSS) to safeguard interest. Jeffry Bog (Pt) (1.74) – SINC. An area of marshy grassland Kirkham Priory – SM & medieval village, Kirkham close to the Jeffry Bog SSSI. Encourage negotiation (2.96). The Priory is managed by EH but features on the of management agreement to secure continuation of north side of the road and elsewhere around the hamlet sympathetic grassland management. need to remain in sympathetic management. Manage the Ox Carr and Ben Woods (1.75) – SINC. An Ancient whole area of earthworks under a stable grass sward. woodland much of which has been replanted, although Roman pottery kilns, Crambeck (2.97) – SM. Low Risk. semi-natural sections remain. Ensure retention of native Kirkham Bridge (2.98) – SM. Medium Risk. Reduce broadleaved woodland and encourage restoration of damage by vehicles, possibly by introducing a height and replanted sections. weight restriction. Oak Cliff Wood (Pt) (1.76) – SINC. The area between Earthworks of medieval village, Crambe (2.99) the railway and the river is a small Ancient semi-natural – Nationally important but unscheduled site that occupies a ash wood with a rich flora. Ensure retention as native wide area around village, including house platforms, fields, broadleaved woodland. trackways and ridge and furrow. Manage the whole area of earthworks under a stable grass sward. Consider further
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 125 survey and encourage greater public appreciation of the consortium in 1996 and a management agreement village history. concluded to safeguard public access rights. Consider opportunities for interpretation material and extending Encourage the preparation and implementation of management access through agreement with adjacent landowners. plans which identify opportunities for conserving, enhancing Howsham Bridge (3.19) – Two informal gravelled lay- and restoring elements of the historic landscape: bys at either end of the bridge, used by fishermen, visitors to Howsham Mill and as a base for riverside walks. Area Howsham Hall (2.100) – RPG. Encourage reversion of at eastern end fenced in 2006, to create parking area for ploughed parkland back to grass and new tree planting Howsham Mill. Monitor use of site at peak periods, to appropriate to design. evaluate the need for future action. Huttons Ambo (3.20) – A small informal gravelled lay-by In liaison with owners, encourage repair of Listed Buildings used by fishermen and as a base for riverside walks. at Risk using grant resources available from local authorities The surface was re-gravelled in 2003 but the area looks and Government agencies. Where appropriate, explore generally run-down. Encourage improvements to adjacent opportunities for suitable changes of use to ensure their long- fencing, possibly in combination with management of term contribution to the cultural heritage of the area: area of community land adjacent to the river.
Mill, Howsham (2.101) – Restoration on-going. Gates and lodges, Howsham Hall (2.102) Folly, Howsham Hall (2.103) Pond Farm, Crambe (2.104) – Temporary roof consolidated 2005.
Recreation Priorities
Kirkham Priory (3.15) – The scenic remains of the Priory are managed by English Heritage and attract around 6,000 visitors a year. Served by an informal gravelled lay-by that is FUTURE LOCAL MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES currently inadequate to cope with peak demands. Overflow parking along adjacent road causes highway danger. Continue meetings with adjacent landowners, highway authority and EH to discuss upgrading existing parking area, traffic management measures, overflow parking and sustainable transport links with Castle Howard. Care needed due to the quality of the site. Kirkham Bridge (3.16) – The public footpath beside the river at Kirkham is very popular. The first field through which it passes is frequently used for picnicking and the river for bathing. The landowner has experienced problems caused by litter, trespass and conflict with livestock. Monitor situation. Badger Bank (3.17) – A small but popular informal gravelled lay-by used as a base for walks in Howsham Wood. Local consultations in 1999 showed that proposed minor upgrading works were not supported. Area currently managed by low-key grass cutting operations. Consider alternative options, to define parking area better and prevent obstruction of adjacent access. Howsham Wood (3.18) – A large riverside wood with a network of well-used tracks. Previously owned by the Forestry Commission, the wood was sold to a private
126 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 IMPLEMENTATION PART THREE IMPLEMENTATION
The final section considers how the Objectives of the Management Plan can be achieved
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 127 IMPLEMENTATION
128 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 3.1 PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION
Responsibility for implementation A new Memorandum of Understanding is due to be introduced in April 2009 however, which should maintain The Introduction refers to the wide range of individuals, security of funding but also allow more flexibility in how groups and organisations that influence the management that funding is used in delivering Management Plan of the AONB. Putting the Management Plan into practice Objectives. requires their active support and participation if it is to succeed. Whilst it is envisaged that the majority of funding for projects on the ground will be delivered by national Co-ordination of effort grant aid schemes, there are likely to be instances where local funding or resources are needed to achieve The main purpose of the Joint Advisory Committee particular Management Plan Objectives. A key task (JAC) is to focus attention on the needs of the AONB of the AONB Unit will be to identify individual or and co-ordinate the efforts of local authorities and linked programmes of projects and lever-in funding or organisations representing community, farming, assistance from the most appropriate source. landowning, conservation and recreation interests. The The principal sources of funding are likely to include: Management Plan is a vital tool in the process, but it is the implementation of the Plan’s Objectives that brings • Local authorities. about the improvements. Although the AONB Unit has a pivotal role to play in co-ordinating the implementation • Natural England.
of the Management Plan, it would be inappropriate and PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION indeed impossible for it to directly implement all the • English Heritage. Objectives. The co-ordinated delivery of action by partner organisations and individuals is the key to • Environment Agency. success. • Forestry Commission Resources • The National Lottery. Many of the proposals set out in the Management Plan will be achieved by influencing the efforts and resources • Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. of the many groups and individuals already active in managing the area. It is important to ensure that the • Farmers/land managers/residents. AONB benefits from priority funding from Government departments and agencies, not only for work on the ground but also to support the ‘core’ AONB Unit. Many Forms of assistance could include: sources of grant aid and advice are already available for countryside management, farm diversification, business • Grant funding. development, community planning and action, etc. It is important that these national and local schemes work • Staff assistance or ‘secondments’ for specific towards delivery of the AONB Management Plan, as projects or tasks. well as achieving their own objectives. Maintaining an adequately-staffed AONB Unit is important in ensuring • Volunteering mechanisms. that this co-ordination of effort takes place and that appropriate partnerships are developed. The three local • Technical advice. authorities have signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Natural England (NE), which guarantees the local • In-kind contributions. authority funding levels and 75% NE grant support for the AONB Unit until April 2011.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 129 Much progress has been made in recent years via joint OBJECTIVE IM1 initiatives with the North York Moors National Park Authority. These are delivering impressive results and CONSOLIDATE AND DEVELOP FUNDING AND further joint-working to achieve shared objectives and PARTNERSHIP MECHANISMS TO ACHIEVE efficient service delivery is therefore a key target for MANAGEMENT PLAN OBJECTIVES the Joint Advisory Committee. Current cross-boundary initiatives include: Action
• The Native Woodland Development Project. IM1.1 Seek appropriate sources of funding and assistance to implement Management Plan • The Cultural And Natural Development Opportunity Objectives. (CAN DO) Partnership. IM1.2 Hold annual meetings of the AONB • Technical assistance and Assessment Panel services Partnership Group, to discuss progress and for the AONB’s Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). foster partnership working.
Lord Haskins' Rural Delivery Review (45) suggested a IM1.3 Continue partnership arrangements with radical re-structuring of Defra and its many functions. the North York Moors National Park Although his recommendations have not currently been Authority, as appropriate.
PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION fully implemented, the JAC is now playing a much larger role in the co-ordinated delivery of the Government's rural policies. This is likely to continue, as AONB partnerships evolve and deliver a broader range of Natural England and Defra objectives.
Habitat management by volunteers, near Yearsley
130 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Business planning OBJECTIVE IM2
The first AONB Management Plan was published in 1997 MONITOR THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT NEEDS and one of its key Objectives was to appoint an AONB OF THE AONB PARTNERSHIP Officer. This was achieved by seconding a Countryside Officer from the County Council to work in the AONB on Action a part-time basis. IM2.1 Monitor the business development By April 2004 the AONB Unit consisted of two full-time of the AONB partnership and identify professional AONB staff, supported by a part-time improvements as appropriate. Administrative Assistant. The Unit had also relocated from County Hall in Northallerton to offices in a farm IM2.2 Incorporate suggested improvements into building conversion near Hovingham. the annual Action Programme and Budget approval processes. Much of this transformation was achieved via the preparation of a Business Plan for the Joint Advisory Committee in 2001. This identified the JAC’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and mapped- out a course of action. As well as building up the staff
resources of the AONB Unit and moving its office PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION base into the AONB, the Business Plan also identified improvements to the system of officer working groups that support the Joint Advisory Committee.
The AONB Unit is now well-established and the support mechanisms of officer working groups are considered to be functioning well. Nothing stands still however and business planning is vital both to the development of the AONB partnership and in identifying future initiatives and resource requirements. Following the achievement of the major objectives contained in the 2001 Business Plan, subsequent developments have been considered as part of the Joint Advisory Committee’s annual budget and work programming mechanism. It is anticipated that this process will be sufficient to deal with future needs over the next five years, without the preparation of a separate new Business Plan.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 131 PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION
132 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 3.2 ACTION Programme
The Management Plan contains a large number of The Action Programme will form the basis of an annual Objectives and priority Actions. work programme for the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) and partner organisations. The March meetings of the The Objectives and Actions have been summarised in JAC will consider work completed in the previous year, the table below (for full details please refer to the page as well as approving initiatives and tasks for the next numbers given). In each case a lead agency has been year. suggested, together with a list of recommended partner organisations. This list is not exhaustive and it is hoped Abbreviations for the Key Delivery Bodies and Partner that other groups will wish to join any partnerships that Organisations listed in the Action Programme are as are formed. The table also gives a provisional timescale follows: and priority rating for each Action. ACTION PROGRAMME
BCU British Canoe Union HA Highways Agency
BHS British Horse Society HDC Hambleton District Council
BTCV British Trust for Conservation Volunteers IDBs Internal Drainage Boards
Cultural & Natural Development Opportunity CAN DO JAC Joint Advisory Committee Partnership
Electricity Distribution Network Operator CE Electric LANTRA The Rural Skills Training Agency covering the AONB
North York Moors, Coast & Hills LEADER Local CLA Country Land and Business Association LEADER Action Group
CPRE Campaign to Protect Rural England LTAs Local Tourism Associations
CSPs Community Safety Partnerships M&CATP Moors & Coast Area Tourism Partnership
CTC Cyclists Touring Club NAAONB National Association for AONBs
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Defra NE Natural England Affairs
EA Environment Agency NEYEDC North & East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre
EH English Heritage NEYGT North East Yorkshire Geology Trust
FC Forestry Commission NFU National Farmers Union
FWAG Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group NWDP Native Woodland Development Project
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 133 NYCC North Yorkshire County Council RFS Royal Forestry Society
NYGP North Yorkshire Geodiversity Partnership RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
NYMNPA North York Moors National Park Authority RTP Rural Transport Partnership
NYP North Yorkshire Police YF Yorkshire Forward
PCs Parish Councils YHA Yorkshire & The Humber Assembly
PCT Primary Care Trust Yorwoods The Yorkshire Woodlands Initiative
RA Ramblers Association YTB Yorkshire Tourist Board ACTION PROGRAMME
RAY Rural Action Yorkshire YWT Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
RDC Ryedale District Council
Although not specifically mentioned in the table, any OBJECTIVES relating to land management will rely on the goodwill and co-operation of farmers, landowners and land managers if they are to be achieved.
134 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 PRIORITY 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 FREQUENCY/YEAR 2 2-5 On-going On-going On-going Ad hoc 1-5 2 ROLE OF JAC Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead ACTION PROGRAMME
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER
FWAG, CLA, NE FWAG, NYCC, NE, YHA NYCC, NE, FC, EA, EH NE, RDC, HDC NYCC, RDC, HDC, EA NYCC, RDC, HDC, EA, NE NYMNPA NYCC
KEY DELIVERY BODY JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC SUMMARY OF ACTION Carbon balance of land use activity in the AONB. Map of green infrastructure. Gather information on the impacts of climate change AONB’s Special Qualities. Ecosystem approach to guide consultation responses and assess grant-aided projects. Publicise tips on sustainable living. Demonstrate examples of good sustainability. Support projects using Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). own activities. Environmental policy for the JAC’s SF1.1 SF1.2 SF1.3 SF2.1 SF2.2 SF2.3 SF2.4 SF2.5 OBJECTIVE AONB’S CONTRIBUTION TO CHANGE ADAPTATION/ CLIMATE OF AND IMPACTS MITIGATION CHANGE (p23) CLIMATE AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY SUPPORT PROJECTS (p25) A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE A SUSTAINABLE SF1 SF2
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 135 PRIORITY 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 1 FREQUENCY/YEAR On-going Ad hoc On-going 2 1 On-going On-going On-going On-going On-going
ROLE OF JAC Support Advise & Encourage Support Lead Lead & Encourage Advise & Support Support Lead & Advise Lead & Support Lead ACTION PROGRAMME PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER JAC, RDC, HDC, NE, NEYEDC RDC, HDC, NE YWT, NE, RSPB, BTCV, JAC, FWAG, RDC, HDC, CLA, NFU, PCs NE, FC, EA, NYCC, NEYEDC CAN DO JAC, RDC, HDC, NE, YWT JAC, YWT NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE RDC, HDC, NE NYCC, RDC, HDC, PCs, BTCV, YWT, NEYEDC, CLA, NFU KEY DELIVERY BODY NYCC JAC/NYCC NYCC/NEYEDC JAC NYCC/JAC/RDC NYCC/NEYEDC NE/NYCC/RDC/HDC JAC JAC/NYCC JAC SUMMARY OF ACTION Rolling programme of SINC monitoring. Detailed surveys of specific habitats or species. Assist farmers, land managers and communities with monitoring wildlife. Research climate change resilience of key AONB habitats. Digitise Phase 1 maps of AONB. Maintain and update a register of key sites. Protect best sites through designation. Resist development proposals. Ensure farmers and landowners are aware of the existence sites. Local involvement with monitoring and management of wildlife. NE1.1 NE1.2 NE1.3 NE1.4 NE1.5 NE2.1 NE2.2 NE2.3 NE2.4 NE3.1 OBJECTIVE KNOWLEDGE OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES AND POSSIBLE (p35) CHANGE IMPACTS CLIMATE CONSERVATION KEY NATURE SITES (p36) IN NATURE LOCAL PARTICIPATION SITES (p37) CONSERVATION A RICH HERITAGE Natural Environment NE1 NE2 NE3
136 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 On-going Ad hoc On-going On-going On-going On-going Ad hoc Annual Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc
Lead & Encourage Encourage & Support Encourage & Support Lead & Encourage Lead & Encourage Lead & Encourage Encourage & Support Lead & Advise Encourage & Support Encourage & Support Lead & Encourage Encourage & Support Lead & Encourage Encourage & Support ACTION PROGRAMME
NWDP, NE, NYCC, RDC, HDC, NWDP, CLA, NFU NE, CLA, NFU JAC, NWDP, NE, RFS NWDP, NWDP NFU, CLA, IDBs NWDP, NE, NYCC, RDC, HDC, CLA, NFU JAC, CLA, NFU NYCC JAC JAC, CLA, NFU EA, NYCC, RDC, HDC JAC, EA JAC, EA JAC, EA JAC/FC FC JAC/FC JAC/FC JAC/FC/NE JAC/NE NE JAC/NYCC NE/FC NE JAC/NE NE JAC/NE NE Management of Local Priority Sites. Extension and buffering of Local Priority Sites. Sites. Restoration of Plantations on Ancient Woodland Creation of new native woodland/wood pasture/species-rich hedges/individual trees. Creation of wet woodland and marshy grassland. Management of Local Priority Sites. Extension and buffering of Local Priority Sites. Special Interest Road Verges. Restoration of grassland and lowland heath. Creation of new grassland habitats. Management of Local Priority Sites. Extension and buffering of Local Priority Sites. Restoration of sites that have declined in interest. Creation of new habitat. NE4.1 NE4.2 NE4.3 NE4.4 NE4.5 NE5.1 NE5.2 NE5.3 NE5.4 NE5.5 NE6.1 NE6.2 NE6.3 NE6.4 MPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL MPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL MPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL MPLEMENTATION BAP TARGETS FOR WOODLAND BAP TARGETS (p40) HABITATS FOR GRASSLAND BAP TARGETS (p42) HABITATS FOR WETLAND BAP TARGETS (p43) HABITATS I I I NE4 NE5 NE6
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 137 PRIORITY 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 FREQUENCY/YEAR On-going Ad hoc 2,3,4 On-going Ad hoc On-going On-going On-going 1-3 3-5 On-going On-going On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc
ROLE OF JAC Lead & Encourage Encourage Lead & Encourage Lead & Encourage Lead & Encourage Lead & Support Lead & Support Lead Support & Encourage Lead & Encourage Lead & Advise Lead Lead Lead & Support Support ACTION PROGRAMME
PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE, EA, YWT, NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE, EA, YWT, PCs JAC, NYCC, RDC, HDC NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE, EA NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE, EA, IDBs, CAN DO NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE, EA, IDBs, CAN DO NYCC, CLA, NFU NYCC, CLA, NFU HDC, RDC, NYCC BTCV, YWT, JAC, RDC, HDC NFU CLA, HDC, RDC, NYGP, NEYGT, RDC, HDC NYGP, NEYGT, NE, FC FWAG, NWDP, NYCC, RDC, HDC, CAN DO, NWDP, NE, FC NYCC, RDC, NE, FC, EA, NWDP, HDC JAC FWAG, YF, KEY DELIVERY BODY JAC NE, EA JAC JAC JAC NE/JAC NE/JAC JAC NEYGT/NYGP JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC LANTRA SUMMARY OF ACTION Management of key sites for specific species. Restoration or creation of sites. Areas and co-ordinated management measures. Local Target Monitor location and abundance. management efforts. Targeted The Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. The Entry Level Stewardship Scheme. Raise awareness and assist communities with creating managing areas. Develop a network of RIGS. Management of RIGS. Resist development proposals. Applications to grant schemes. Flexible package of assistance. Demonstrate ‘best practice’. Skills training initiatives. NE7.1 NE7.2 NE7.3 NE8.1 NE8.2 NE9.1 NE9.2 NE10.1 NE11.1 NE11.2 NE11.3 NE12.1 NE12.2 NE12.3 NE12.4 OBJECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION FOR IMPORTANT BAP TARGETS SPECIES (p43) SPECIES NON-NATIVE INVASIVE (p44) MORE SYMPATHETIC MANAGEMENT OF FARMLAND (p44) OF LOCAL BAP IMPLEMENTATION FOR WILDLIFE WITHIN TARGETS VILLAGES (p45) GEODIVERSITY SITES IMPORTANT (p45) AND TO FARMERS ASSISTANCE LAND MANAGERS (p46) NE7 NE8 NE9 NE10 NE11 NE12
138 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 1,2 2,3 Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc 2-5 On-going On-going 1-5 On-going On-going 2-5 Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc
Support Lead Advise & Support Advise & Support Lead & Support Lead & Support Advise & Support Lead & Support Lead & Support Lead & Support Lead Advise & Support Support & Encourage Lead Lead & Support Support ACTION PROGRAMME JAC NYCC, EH NYCC, JAC, EH JAC, EH CAN DO, NYCC, EH, LEADER EH NYCC, RDC, HDC, EH NYCC, RDC, HDC, PCs, LEADER JAC, EH, NYCC EH NE, NYCC, EH NYCC, RDC, HDC, JAC JAC, NYCC, NE NYCC, RDC, HDC, EH, CAN DO NYCC, RDC, HDC, EH LEADER, JAC, NYCC, RDC, HDC YF, EH/NYCC JAC Universities NYCC/RDC/HDC JAC NYCC/JAC JAC JAC CAN DO NYCC/JAC JAC EH EH JAC JAC LANTRA Local involvement in monitoring and management of cultural Historic landscape conservation and management advice. Encourage entry into agri-environment schemes. Heritage Partnership Agreements. Conservation/management plans for Historic Parks and Gardens. Flexible package of assistance. Demonstrate ‘best practice’. Skills training initiatives. Historic Landscape Characterisation survey. Revise the Local Landscape Priorities, after HLC survey. Research projects. Regular surveys of built heritage. Recording local history and traditions passing information to the HER. Annual forum to discuss research and priorities. Input to Heritage Protection Review. heritage features. CAN DO ‘Lime and Ice’ Project. HE3.1 HE4.1 HE4.2 HE4.3 HE4.4 HE4.5 HE4.6 HE4.7 HE1.1 HE1.2 HE1.3 HE1.4 HE1.5 HE1.6 HE2.1 HE3.2 PRESERVE DIVERSITY, QUALITY PRESERVE DIVERSITY, KNOWLEDGE OF THE CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE CULTURAL OF THE AONB (p48) HERITAGE PROTECTION (p48) STATUTORY IN LOCAL PARTICIPATION SITES (p50) HERITAGE CULTURAL AND DISTINCTIVENESS OF THE (p53) AONB’S HISTORIC HERITAGE HE4 Historic Environment HE1 HE2 HE3
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 139 PRIORITY 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 FREQUENCY/YEAR On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going Annual On-going On-going On-going
ROLE OF JAC Lead Lead Advise & Support Encourage & Support Lead & Support Lead Lead & Support Lead Advise & Encourage Lead ACTION PROGRAMME PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER NYCC, NAAONB RAY JAC, NYCC, RDC, HDC, RAY JAC, RDC, HDC, LEADER RDC, HDC RAY, LEADER, CAN DO RAY, NYCC, RDC, HDC RAY, NAAONB JAC NYCC, RDC, HDC, NFU, CLA, NE, FC, YF KEY DELIVERY BODY JAC JAC NYCC/Various RAY JAC, LEADER JAC JAC JAC/NYCC Defra/NE/YF JAC SUMMARY OF ACTION Lobby Government on rural issues. Pass information from community/consultation events to the Lobby on development of rural support mechanisms and agri- relevant organisation/agency. relevant organisation/agency. Innovative service delivery mechanisms. Encourage Parish Plans. Implementation of identified projects. Link communities to advice on funding. Forum. AONB Village environment schemes. Funding for the Howardian Hills AONB. Promote rural support mechanisms to farmers and landowners. LC1.1 LC1.2 AG1.1 LC1.3 LC1.4 LC1.5 LC1.6 LC1.7 AG1.2 AG1.3 OBJECTIVE ASSIST LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH PROJECTS (p61) GOVERNMENT SUPPORT MECHANISMS FOR SUSTAINABLE AND RURAL BUSINESS FARM DEVELOPMENT (p64) LIVING AND WORKING IN THE HOWARDIAN HILLS LIVING AND WORKING IN THE HOWARDIAN Local Communities LC1 Agriculture AG1
140 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 On-going On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc 3-5 On-going 1,2 On-going Ad hoc On-going On-going On-going
Lead & Support Lead Lead & Support Support Encourage & Support Encourage Lead & Encourage Advise & Support Lead Lead Encourage Support & Encourage Encourage Encourage ACTION PROGRAMME NYCC, RDC, HDC, FWAG, NE, EH NYCC, RDC, HDC, FWAG, NYCC, RDC, HDC NE, NFU, CLA, CAN DO FWAG, JAC, NYCC, RDC, HDC YF, JAC JAC, NFU, CLA FC, EA, NE JAC RDC, HDC, NYCC JAC, RFS, NWDP JAC, RFS JAC, RFS, NYCC, RDC, HDC JAC, RFS, NE, NYCC JAC JAC JAC LANTRA NYCC/RDC/HDC YHA JAC RDC/HDC/NYCC JAC JAC/FC FC FC FC, NE FC/Yorwoods Provide specialist advice within the AONB. Flexible package of assistance for small-scale conservation Positive approach to planning control. Participation in regional climate change mitigation schemes. Local climate change adaptation schemes. High standards of design, siting and landscaping measures. Produce basic design guidance. Management in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard. Grant Scheme and Environmental Use of the English Woodland projects. Demonstrate ‘best practice’. Skills training initiatives. Stewardship Scheme. certification. Encouragement to achieve UKWAS Consultation procedure between JAC and Forestry Commission. Encourage ‘continuous cover’ systems.
AG2.1 AG2.2 AG3.1 AG3.2 AG3.3 AG4.1 AG4.2 FW2.1 FW2.2 AG2.3 AG2.4 FW2.3 FW1.1 FW1.2 SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS AND NEW FARM APPROACH TO MULTI-OBJECTIVE CONSERVATION ADVICE AND CONSERVATION (p65) ASSISTANCE ENTERPRISES (p69) FARM INFRASTRUCTURE (p69) WOODLAND MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS (p71) WOODLAND MANAGEMENT (p73) AG3 AG4 FW2 AG2 Forestry and Woodland FW1
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 141 PRIORITY 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 FREQUENCY/YEAR 2,3 Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going On-going On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going On-going On-going On-going On-going 1-5
ROLE OF JAC Lead Advise & Encourage Advise & Encourage Support Support & Encourage Support & Encourage Support & Encourage Advise Lead Encourage Encourage Encourage Lead Support & Encourage ACTION PROGRAMME PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER FC, NWDP RFS JAC, NWDP, RFS JAC, NWDP, FC JAC, NWDP, JAC FC, RFS, JAC, CAN DO JAC, FC, RFS JAC RFS, FWAG FC, NWDP, JAC, NAAONB JAC, NWDP JAC, NWDP FC, NYCC, RDC, HDC, NWDP JAC KEY DELIVERY BODY JAC FC FC Castle Howard Yorwoods/FC/YF Yorwoods Yorwoods/FWAG FC JAC FC FC FC JAC FC/NYMNPA SUMMARY OF ACTION Use forestry grant procedures to advise on siting and design. Promote the availability of advice and grant aid schemes. Susceptibility of native tree and shrub species to climate Small-scale woodfuel heating systems and development of a restoration tasks. Grant incentives for annual PAWS Grant incentives for specific priority work, in line with the change. Planting stock of appropriate provenance. Incorporation of natural regeneration. with local forest nurseries. Work woodfuel market. Use of timber in local industries. Demonstrate on-site processing equipment. Regional Forestry Strategy. ‘Scoring system’ for new woodland. Flexible package of assistance for small-scale conservation projects. Development Project. Continue Native Woodland FW5.1 FW5.2 FW3.1 FW4.1 FW6.1 FW6.2 FW3.2 FW3.3 FW3.4 FW4.2 FW4.3 FW6.3 FW6.4 FW6.5 OBJECTIVE ALTERNATIVE MARKETS FOR ALTERNATIVE NEW WOODLAND (p78) DEVELOPMENT OF GRANT LOCAL PROVENANCE TREES AND SHRUBS WHEN RE-STOCKING (p76) TIMBER PRODUCTS (p77) ACHIEVE INCENTIVES THAT OBJECTIVES PLAN MANAGEMENT (p79) FW4 FW5 FW6 FW3
142 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 Ad hoc 2,3 On-going On-going On-going 1-3 Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc
Support & Encourage Lead Support Advise Advise Advise Encourage Support Encourage & Support Support Lead Advise & Encourage Encourage Advise & Support Advise & Support ACTION PROGRAMME
JAC, FC, FWAG, RFS JAC, FC, FWAG, JAC, FC, RFS, FWAG, Yorwoods, NWDP FC, JAC, RFS, FWAG, Yorwoods, NYMNPA JAC JAC JAC, NYCC, NE PCs JAC, RAY, JAC NYCC, JAC EH NYCC, RDC, HDC, Utility Companies JAC JAC NYCC JAC
Yorwoods JAC LANTRA NYCC/RDC/HDC, NE, Various NYCC/RDC/HDC RDC/HDC RDC/HDC NYCC/RDC/HDC RDC/HDC NYCC/RDC/HDC/JAC JAC CE Electric BT Openreach RDC/HDC/JAC RDC/HDC Local demonstration sites/events. List of local contractors. Promote woodland training courses and apprenticeships. Appropriate policies in all relevant Plans and Strategies. Consultation arrangements. Rural Design standards. Design Statements. Village Guidance on sustainable building restoration techniques. Conservation Area appraisals. Assist with works identified in Conservation Area appraisals. Local enhancement works to mitigate intrusive features. Undergrounding of electricity cables. Undergrounding telephone cables. Resist increases in light or noise pollution. Litter and fly-tipping. FW7.1 FW7.2 FW7.3 D1.1 D1.2 D2.1 D2.2 D2.3 D2.4 D2.5 D3.1 D3.2 D3.3 D3.4 D3.5 DESIGN OF NEW DEVELOPMENT OF INTRUSIVE MITIGATION DEMONSTRATE BEST PRACTICE DEMONSTRATE AND ENCOURAGE A MULTI- SKILLED WORKFORCE (p80) NEW DEVELOPMENT (p83) AND MANAGEMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS (p83) (p85) FEATURES D2 D3 FW7 Development D1
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 143 PRIORITY 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 FREQUENCY/YEAR Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc Annual On-going On-going 2
ROLE OF JAC Advise & Support Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Support Advise & Encourage Advise & Support Advise Advise Encourage & Support Lead ACTION PROGRAMME PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER JAC NYCC NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE NYCC, NE NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE, NFU, CLA Business Link, YF NYMNPA NE NAAONB JAC, PCs JAC RDC, HDC, RAY KEY DELIVERY BODY NYCC JAC JAC JAC/RDC/HDC JAC JAC CAN DO JAC/RDC/HDC JAC/RDC/HDC RDC/HDC/JAC RDC/HDC RDC/HDC JAC SUMMARY OF ACTION Support appropriate planning applications. Supplies of suitable stone for drystone wall restoration. Advice and guidance on appropriate technology Signposting to Business Link. Encourage local businesses via the CAN DO Partnership. Support appropriate proposals to re-use farm buildings. Broadband and mobile phone installations. Liaise with Local Authorities and network operators. Local Housing Needs Surveys. Further develop and adopt measures. Promote potential benefits of Local Needs housing. installations. Support appropriate proposals. Promote benefits of appropriate renewable energy and demonstrate examples of ‘best practice’. D4.1 D4.2 D5.1 D6.1 D6.2 D7.1 D8.1 D8.2 D9.1 D9.2 D9.3 D5.2 D5.3 OBJECTIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY RENEWABLE BUSINESS AND DIVERSIFICATION RE-USE OF REDUNDANT FARM MODERN COMMUNICATIONS LOCAL NEEDS/AFFORDABLE SMALL-SCALE QUARRYING OF STONE FOR LOCAL USES (p85) (p86) INSTALLATIONS OPPORTUNITIES (p86) BUILDINGS (p87) TECHNOLOGY (p88) HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES (p88) D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D4
144 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 On-going 5+ Ad hoc On-going Annual On-going Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc 1-3
Encourage & Support Encourage & Support Advise & Encourage Advise Encourage Encourage Support & Encourage Advise & Support Encourage Lead & Encourage Encourage Advise & Support ACTION PROGRAMME JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC NYCC, JAC JAC, NYCC CSPs, Voluntary JAC, PCs, RTP, sector sector CSPs, Voluntary JAC, RTP, sector Voluntary NYCC, RTP, JAC JAC NYCC/HA/RDC NYCC NYCC NYCC NYCC, CSPs CSPs, NYP CSPs NYCC NYCC JAC NYCC/RDC/HDC NYCC Gather information on traffic speeds. Regular programme of speed-checks in problem locations. Local events to examine and address issues. Identify transport service, infrastructure and accessibility Full-movement interchange at the A64/B1257 junction. restriction on the Castle Howard Avenue. Weight Investigate freight traffic issues in the AONB. Freight Quality Partnerships, to address any issues identified. improvements. Implementation of identified measures via SCTSs. Promote the availability of alternative transport services. Plans. Travel Workplace Plan. Development of next Local Transport RT2.1 RT2.2 RT2.3 RT3.1 RT1.1 RT1.2 RT1.3 RT1.4 RT3.2 RT3.3 RT3.4 RT3.5 INITIATIVES TO MONITOR AND INITIATIVES PROMOTE THE USE OF SOLUTIONS TO SPECIFIC TRAFFIC ROUTING PROBLEMS (p90) ADDRESS TRAFFIC AND DRIVER ISSUES (p90) BEHAVIOUR MODES OF SUSTAINABLE TO TRANSPORT AS ALTERNATIVES CAR (p92) THE PRIVATE RT2 RT3 Roads, Transport and Traffic and Traffic Roads, Transport Management RT1
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 145 PRIORITY 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 FREQUENCY/YEAR On-going 1,2 Ad hoc 1,2 On-going Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc 1-5 2-5
ROLE OF JAC Lead Advise & Support Advise & Encourage Lead Lead & Support Advise Lead Advise & Support Encourage & Support Lead Lead Lead Lead ACTION PROGRAMME PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER JAC JAC NYCC, RDC, HDC JAC, RDC, HDC JAC, NYCC, RDC NYCC, RDC, HDC JAC RDC, HDC JAC, NYMNPA, YTB, RDC, HDC, Private sector, M&CATP LTAs NE YWT, NE, PCT KEY DELIVERY BODY JAC/NYCC NYCC NYCC/HA JAC NYCC HA JAC RDC/HDC M&CATP/YTB JAC JAC JAC JAC SUMMARY OF ACTION Monitor future proposals and provide comments. Liaison arrangements between the JAC and highway authority. Design guidance for road signage, etc in the AONB. Identify and reduce road sign ‘clutter’. Inventory of historic ‘roadside furniture’. Maintenance and restoration of historic ‘roadside furniture’. Monitor sustainability of recreational activities in the AONB. Use planning policies to encourage appropriate recreational etc. Gather information on visitor numbers, activity, Partnership to provide information for with Area Tourism Work developments. visitors. Associations. with local Tourism Work Groups to enjoy the Initiatives to enable Under-Represented AONB. Initiatives to promote health benefits of outdoor recreation in AONB. RT5.1 RT4.1 RT4.2 RT4.3 RT4.4 RT4.5 RA1.1 RA1.2 RA2.1 RA2.2 RA2.3 RA2.4 RA2.5 OBJECTIVE A64 TRUNK ROAD (p94) PROMOTE THE ATTRACTIONS MAINTAIN THE EXISTING RURAL MAINTAIN CHARACTER OF THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE AONB (p93) ENCOURAGE SUSTAINABLE ACTIVITIES THAT RECREATIONAL DO NOT CONFLICT WITH SPECIAL QUALITIES (p97) AND SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE WAY AONB IN A SUSTAINABLE (p98) RT5 RA2 RT4 ENJOYING THE AONB Recreation, Access and Tourism RA1
146 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 Ad hoc On-going On-going Annual Annual On-going 5? Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc
Lead Advise & Support Support Advise & Support Advise & Support Lead & Support Encourage Lead & Encourage Advise & Support Advise & Support Advise & Encourage Advise Advise & Support ACTION PROGRAMME NYCC, RDC, HDC JAC, RA, BHS JAC RA, BHS, JAC, CLA, NFU RA, BHS, JAC PCs RA, BHS, CTC JAC, RA, BHS, CTC JAC FC, RFS, NFU, CLA JAC JAC NYCC NYCC NYCC NYCC NYCC/JAC NYCC JAC/NYCC NYCC/NE NYCC JAC/NYCC JAC/NYCC NYCC Definitive Map review for the Ryedale District. Identify existing route and status anomalies lobby for Encourage path improvements via management measures. Monitor use of footpaths by horse riders, cyclists, etc. Make advisory signage available for control of dogs, shutting Small-scale management works. Maintenance of path furniture. Regularly monitor path condition. Rectify identified problems, including seasonal overgrowth and Encourage creation of new access routes/areas. route alterations. Support appropriate Public Rights of Way ploughing/cropping. Prioritised programme for cutting seasonal undergrowth. Community involvement in path monitoring and maintenance. action. gates, etc. RA5.1 RA5.2 RA7.1 RA7.2 RA7.3 RA3.1 RA4.1 RA4.2 RA4.3 RA6.1 RA6.2 RA4.4 RA4.5 MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC THE DEFINITIVE MAP (p102) IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PUBLIC USAGE ISSUES (p103) PATH RECREATIONAL MANAGEMENT RECREATIONAL MEASURES (p100) NETWORK (p101) RIGHTS OF WAY NETWORK (p102) RIGHTS OF WAY RA4 RA5 RA6 RA7 RA3
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 147 PRIORITY 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 FREQUENCY/YEAR Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc 2,3 2 4,5 Ad hoc 2,3 Ad hoc On-going Ad hoc
ROLE OF JAC Encourage Encourage Advise & Support Lead & Support Lead & Encourage Lead Advise & Support Encourage & Support Lead & Advise Advise & Support Lead ACTION PROGRAMME PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER JAC JAC JAC NYCC, RA, CTC, BHS, NE, M&CATP NYCC, RA, CTC, BHS NE NYCC, RA, CTC, BHS, M&CATP, PCs sector, JAC, Voluntary JAC, M&CATP RDC, HDC, PCs, RA, BHS JAC, NYCC, PC Hall Cttes PCs, Village KEY DELIVERY BODY FC FC FC JAC JAC JAC NYCC/NYMNPA NYCC/EH/Castle Howard JAC/NYCC EH JAC SUMMARY OF ACTION Identify appropriate routes. Identify linkages via road verges and encourage appropriate Low-key works on freehold Forestry Commission land. Dedication of leasehold Forestry Commission land. Assist in negotiations on leasehold land as appropriate. Enhancements to public/community transport and Moorsbus Carry out appropriate management works. Continue discussions to improve parking facilities at Kirkham cutting regimes. Publish and distribute guide leaflets. networks. Explore options for park-and-ride at larger tourist attractions. Priory. Investigate the use of village car park and toilet facilities by recreational visitors. RA9.1 RA9.2 RA8.1 RA8.2 RA8.3 RA10.1 RA11.1 RA11.2 RA9.3 RA10.2 RA11.3 OBJECTIVE GUIDED ROUTES (p104) NETWORK OF BUS ROUTES AND INFORMAL CAR PARKING ‘OPEN ACCESS’ OPPORTUNITIES IN FORESTRY COMMISSION WOODLAND (p103) OTHER TRANSPORT SERVICES (p104) (p105) FACILITIES RA9 RA10 RA11 RA8
148 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc Ad hoc On-going; 1,2 On-going Annual; on-going On-going 4 2,5
Advise & Support Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead ACTION PROGRAMME JAC, NE RDC, NE, CLA, NFU, BCU NYCC NYCC, HA LTAs RDC, HDC, M&CATP, NYCC, RDC, HDC NYCC, RDC, HDC NYCC, RDC, HDC YTB, M&CATP RDC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC Use planning and other policy controls to discourage Hold meetings of the Forum as necessary. Local Access Pass information on issues to North Yorkshire Maintain the existing AONB ‘gateway signs’ and seek to install recreational use. Countryside management measures to resolve local recreational issues. signs on A64. Publish and distribute information about the AONB. Provide information via the Annual Report, Newsletter and website. Maintain a high public profile in the local media and at shows. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of AONB designation. and Users survey. Carry out a follow-up Visitors Forum. RA12.1 RA13.1 RA13.2 AP1.1 RA12.2 AP1.2 AP1.3 AP1.4 AP1.5 AP1.6 FORUM TO DISCUSS TOURISM, WATER RECREATION ON THE RECREATION WATER RIVER DERWENT (p106) AND ACCESS RECREATION ISSUES (p106) AND AWARENESS OF THE AONB UNDERSTANDING ITS IMPORTANCE DESIGNATION, AND THE ROLE OF JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (p108) RA13 RA12 AND PROMOTION AWARENESS AP1
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 149 PRIORITY 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 FREQUENCY/YEAR On-going Annual 1-5 Ad hoc On-going On-going Annual On-going On-going Annual ROLE OF JAC Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead & Support Lead Lead ACTION PROGRAMME PARTNER ORGANISATIONS PARTNER PCs, RDC, HDC, NE NYCC, RDC, HDC, NE, EH, YWT NE, Schools, PCs YWT, NYCC, PCs Volunteers Various Various NE, FC, EH, CAN DO, NYMNPA, NWDP KEY DELIVERY BODY JAC/NYCC JAC JAC JAC NYCC/JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC SUMMARY OF ACTION Involve volunteers to assist with delivery of tasks and activities. Information leaflets for individual AONB villages. Annual programme of guided walks and talks. Programme of activities with local schools and communities. Install information boards at suitable sites. Seek funding and assistance to implement Management Plan Monitor business development needs and identify Objectives. Annual meetings of AONB Partnership Group. Moors National Park Partnership arrangements with North York Authority. improvements. Incorporate improvements into annual Action Programme and Budget approval processes. AP3.1 AP2.1 AP2.2 AP2.3 AP2.4 IM1.1 IM2.1 IM1.2 IM1.3 IM2.2 OBJECTIVE VOLUNTEERING (p109) BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OF AWARENESS OF THE SPECIAL AWARENESS QUALITIES OF THE AONB (p109) FUNDING AND PARTNERSHIP MECHANISMS (p130) (p131) AONB PARTNERSHIP AP3 IM2 AP2 PUTTING THE PLAN INTO ACTION Implementation IM1
150 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 Annual Annual Annual 1,2 1 2 5 Ad hoc Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Lead Advise & Support ACTION PROGRAMME
NE NYCC, FC, EH, NE PCs, Volunteers NYCC, FC, EH, Defra, NE, EA, RDC, HDC, CPRE NYCC, FC, EH, Defra, NE, EA, RDC, HDC, CPRE NE JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC JAC Report annual progress on achievement of Management Plan Develop a mechanism to assess the Condition of non-Statutory Objectives. Monitor Partnership performance using Natural England Indicators. Measure customer satisfaction with AONB Unit via regular questionnaires. Local Priority Sites. Consider developing a ‘fixed-point photography’ monitoring system. Establish baseline data for AONB Condition Indicators. Information on Condition Indicators a 5-yearly cycle. Provide information to assist the Countryside Quality Counts programme and monitor the results. MN1.1 MN2.1 MN1.2 MN1.3 MN2.2 MN2.3 MN2.4 MN2.5 MONITOR CONDITION OF THE MONITOR PERFORMANCE OF AND AONB AONB PARTNERSHIP UNIT (p153) AONB (p154) MN2 Monitoring MN1
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 151 ACTION PROGRAMME
152 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 3.3 MONITORING
The production of this Management Plan is not an end OBJECTIVE MN1 in itself but a step in the continuous process of target setting, monitoring and review. Priorities will change, MONITOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AONB new issues will emerge and the Plan will need to evolve. PARTNERSHIP AND AONB UNIT
Partnership monitoring Action MONITORING
The annual Action Programme will be used to match MN1.1 Report annual progress on achievement of available resources to the various Objectives and Management Plan Objectives to the JAC Actions. Progress against the Action Programme will be and AONB Partnership. reported at the March meetings of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) and a summary of achievements will MN1.2 Monitor Partnership performance using the be published in the Annual Report. Natural England Partnership Indicators.
The performance of the AONB Partnership as a whole MN1.3 Measure customer satisfaction with the will be monitored via the Partnership Indicators that AONB Unit (both users and non-users) via have been established by Natural England. These regular questionnaires. include Indicators on the governance structure of the Partnership, staff training and development, income secured, implementation of Management Plan Actions, AONB Condition monitoring etc. Figures are compiled annually, as part of the grant- claim process, and are part of the national evaluation of A set of potential Condition Indicators was published in AONB Partnership performance. the 2004 – 2009 Management Plan, with the suggestion that the list should be refined and developed. Progress The effectiveness of the AONB Unit’s internal on this issue was slow and gradual (both nationally and management systems and quality of service will also within the Howardian Hills), and in the end no data was be monitored. The AONB Unit has been measuring actually compiled. The Countryside Agency published the customer satisfaction of grant recipients for a a list of suggested AONB Condition Indicators in its number of years, achieving consistently good feedback. guidance on AONB Management Plan review (46). These This process will both continue and be developed, to are very similar to the Indicators developed by the Joint ensure that customers are dealt with in a timely and Advisory Committee and it is therefore proposed that professional manner and also to determine where or the list shown in Figure 8 should be used to measure how our services could be improved. the Condition of the AONB. The 2007 (or nearest) figures will be compiled, to give a baseline position and act as a reference point for future years.
It is proposed to compile figures on the Condition Indicators on a 5-yearly cycle, linked to Management Plan reviews. This will allow progress to be assessed and new relevant targets set. Data from the nearest available year will be used and this will be published in both the updated Management Plan and in the Annual Report.
Some of the Indicators shown in Figure 8 rely on Condition Assessments of the Local Priority Sites. Natural England and English Heritage monitor the
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 153 Condition of SSSIs and Scheduled Monuments OBJECTIVE MN2 respectively, but the assessment mechanism for non- Statutory sites is less well developed. Guidance for MONITOR THE CONDITION OF THE AONB monitoring SINCs has been developed as part of the Local Area Agreement (LAA) process. This relies on Action
MONITORING assessing whether sites have management agreements or plans in place, but doesn’t examine whether the MN2.1 Develop a robust mechanism for assessing objectives of these agreements are being met or not. A the Condition of non-Statutory Local similar mechanism could be used for the non-Statutory Priority Sites. Historic Environment Priority Sites, although little information is known about the management of many of MN2.2 Consider setting up a ‘fixed-point them. A mechanism needs to be developed for deciding photography’ system, using volunteers. the optimum condition for each site, with subsequent assessment against that. MN2.3 Establish baseline data for the AONB Condition Indicators. In addition to the more detailed set of AONB Condition Indicators, Natural England’s Countryside Quality MN2.4 Compile and report information on AONB Counts (CQC) programme will also be used to monitor Condition Indicators on a 5-yearly cycle. landscape change. This looks at a wide range of measures, including some of the ones listed in Figure MN2.5 Provide information to assist the CQC 8, to determine change on a Joint Character Area scale programme and use the results to monitor and whether this change is within character or not. The landscape change. 1999 – 2003 assessment for the Howardian Hills was ‘Landscape character being maintained, consistent with vision’.
See Section 2.3.1 for a full description of the Special Qualities of the Howardian Hills AONB.
154 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 Figure 8. AONB Condition Indicators MONITORING Data collection organisation a) Natural England b) Natural England c) Natural England d) Defra (June Census) Forestry Commission a) Natural England b) JAC/NYCC (LAA) a) English Heritage b) English Heritage c) English Heritage/District Councils d) JAC Environment Agency CPRE JAC/NYCC JAC JAC Indicator a) % of land managed under existing agri-environment schemes (CS) b) % of land managed under Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) c) % of land managed under Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) d) Changes in farmland type (% of permanent pasture/temporary grassland/arable land) a) % of woodland cover Certified) b) % of woodland under management for public benefit (UKWAS a) Condition of SSSIs b) Delivery of LBAP habitat targets for AONB – Condition SINCs a) Number of SMs in the High, Medium and Low Risk categories b) Condition of Registered Parks & Gardens and historic landscapes c) Number of Listed Buildings on ‘at Risk’ registers d) Condition of non-statutory Historic Environment Priority Sites Length of rivers (%) Good or Fair chemical quality a) % of AONB recorded as ‘tranquil’ b) % of AONB affected by light pollution ‘Ease of Use’ (%) PRoW % of AONB villages that have a shop, pub, Post Office service or community building % of survey respondents aware the Howardian Hills AONB designation Attribute 1. Farmed Landscape Landscape 2. Woodland 3. Biodiversity 4. Historic and Built Environment Quality (Rivers) 5. Water 6. Tranquillity 7. Enjoying the Countryside Services/Amenities 8. Village of the AONB designation 9. Awareness
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 155 MONITORING
156 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 REFERENCES
1. Mid-Year Estimates for 2006, ONS, Crown Copyright. 15. Native Woodland Development in the North York Moors and Howardian Hills, G F Peterken, Forestry 2. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: A Policy Commission/NYMNPA/HHAONB/English Nature/ Statement, Countryside Commission, CCP 352, 1992. Royal Forestry Society, 2002.
3. PPS7: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/ 16. A survey of potential heathland restoration sites REFERENCES planningandbuilding/pps7 on Forestry Commission land in the Hambleton and Howardian Hills, M Hammond, CAN DO Partnership, 4. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Management 2006. Plans: A guide, Countryside Agency, CA 23, 2001. 17. AONB Woodland Survey: Grimston Moor, MAP 5. Report summarising the main findings of the Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, Howardian Hills Community/Parish Planning events held in the AONB Joint Advisory Committee, 1999. Howardian Hills AONB 2008, Howardian Hills AONB Unit, 2008. 18. AONB Woodland Survey: Coneysthorpe Banks, Thurtle and Wath Woods, MAP Archaeological 6. The Howardian Hills Landscape, Cobham Resource Consultancy Ltd, Howardian Hills AONB Joint Consultants, Countryside Commission, 1995. Advisory Committee, 2000.
7. Ecological Survey of woodlands in the Howardian 19. AONB Woodland Survey: Black Moor, MAP Hills AONB, A Weston, North Yorkshire County Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, Howardian Hills Council, 1992. AONB Joint Advisory Committee, 2002.
8. Southern Ryedale and Howardian Hills AONB 20. Heritage at Risk Register 2008, English Heritage, Phase 1 Survey, A Weston, University of York/ 2008. English Nature, 1992. 21. Parish Profiles, 2001 Census, Crown Copyright, 2004. 9. Howardian Hills AONB Historic Environment Study, M McElvaney, North Yorkshire County Council, 1993. 22. Imagine Ryedale: The Ryedale Community Plan, Ryedale Strategic Partnership, 2003. 10. The Howardian Hills AONB Visitors and Users Survey, Bowles Green Ltd, Howardian Hills AONB 23. Community Plan for Hambleton, Hambleton Strategic Joint Advisory Committee, 2003. Partnership, 2003.
11. Our Common Future (The Brundtland Report), United 24. The Howardian Hills Agricultural Issues Report, Nations World Commission on Environment and Defra, Howardian Hills AONB Joint Advisory Development, 1987. Committee, 2003.
12. Sustainable Development: http://www.defra.gov.uk/ 25. A Planning Guide to Farm Diversification in North sustainable/government/publications/uk-strategy/ Yorkshire, North Yorkshire local authorities/National index.htm Parks/CLA/NFU partnership, 2000.
13. Ryedale Biodiversity Action Plan, Ryedale District 26. Making the Most of Your Farm: A guide to the Council, 2007. planning system in the Yorkshire and Humber Region for farm-based enterprises, Yorkshire and Humber 14. Hambleton Biodiversity Action Plan, Hambleton BAP Regional Assembly, 2003. Partnership, 2002.
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 157 27. The Forestry Act, 1967 and amendments. 40. A64 Broad Based Survey, Steer Davies Gleave, Yorkshire and Humber Assembly/Yorkshire Forward/ 28. Managing Ancient & Native Woodland: England Highways Agency/North Yorkshire CC/City of York Practice Guide (consultation draft), Forestry Council/Scarborough BC/Ryedale DC, 2003. Commission, 2008 REFERENCES 41. A64 York to Scarborough Study, Capita Symonds, 29. Forestry Commission Woodfuel Strategy: http:// Highways Agency, 2005. www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6PGGQR 42. Walking the Way to Health Initiative: http://www. 30. Yorkshire & Humber Regional Spatial Strategy: whi.org.uk/ http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk/Our%20Work/ Regional%20Planning/Regional%20Spatial%20Strat 43. Outdoors for All?: http://www.countryside.gov. egy%20Partial%20Review/ uk/LAR/Recreation/DR/index.asp
31. Ryedale Local Development Framework: http:// 44. You and Your Dog in the Countryside, Countryside rdc-extranet.temp.netconstructgroup.com/default. Agency, CA205, 2006. aspx?page=7085 45. Rural Delivery Review, Christopher Haskins, PB 8856, 32. Hambleton Local Development Framework: http:// Defra, 2003. www.hambleton.gov.uk/environment and planning/ planning 46. Guidance for the review of AONB Management Plans, Countryside Agency, CA221, 2006. 33. North Yorkshire Minerals and Waste Local Development Framework: http://www.northyorks. gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7576 (withdrawn January 2009)
34. LEADER Local Development Strategy: http://www. moors.uk.net/content.php?nID=698
35. Road traffic speeds: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/ roadsafety/speedmanagement/dftcircular106/
36. Helmsley Community Investment Prospectus baseline information, Yorkshire Rural Community Council, Ryedale District Council, 2003.
37. North Yorkshire Local Transport Plan (LTP2): http:// www.northyorks.gov.uk/m520_0.pdf
38. People, Paths and Places: The Rights of Way Improvement Plan for North Yorkshire, North Yorkshire County Council, 2007.
39. A64 from A1 to Scarborough Route Management Strategy, Hyder Consulting, The Highways Agency, 2001.
158 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Joint Advisory Committee would like to thank the Natural Environment following individuals and organisations for their input into this Management Plan. Matt Millington – North Yorkshire CC Sue Bragg – Ryedale DC Agriculture Noel Collings – Hambleton DC Terry Smithson – Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Justine Clark – Natural England Justine Clark – Natural England Laurie Norris – NFU Liz Chalk – Environment Agency Jane Harrison – CLA Brian Walker – Forestry Commission Stephen Prest – NFU Karen Stanley – FWAG
Development Historic Environment ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Dan Wheelwright – Ryedale DC Linda Smith – North Yorkshire CC Paula Craddock – Ryedale DC Neil Redfern – English Heritage Andrew Leeming – North Yorkshire Partnership Unit Gail Falkingham – North Yorkshire CC Rita Lawson – North Yorkshire CC Neil Swayne – Castle Howard Estate Geoff Herbert – Hambleton DC Emma Woodland – Ryedale DC Glen Robinson – Hambleton DC Graham Banks – Hambleton DC David Carter – Natural England Brian Walker – Forestry Commission Zoe Rawson – Yorkshire Tourist Board Justine Clark – Natural England
Communities Roads, Transport and Traffic Management
Paul Hayward – Ryedale Voluntary Action Andrew Bainbridge – North Yorkshire CC Sara Schultz – Natural England Ana Richards – Safer Ryedale Partnership Maggie Farey – YRCC (now RAY) Neil Swayne – Castle Howard Estate Kevin Holt – Hambleton Voluntary Action James Gilroy – North Yorkshire CC Cllr Keith Knaggs – Ryedale DC Richard Marr – North Yorkshire CC Jo Reilly – Ryedale DC Stephen Prest – NFU Stephen Gibson – Parish Councillor Sara Schultz – Natural England Janine Morley – NYMNP Nigel Smith – North Yorkshire CC Noel Collings – Hambleton DC Rebecca Gibson – North Yorkshire CC Gordon Scaife – Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Recreation, Access and Tourism Forestry and Woodland Geoff Eastwood – Ramblers Association Nigel Rylance – Forestry Commission Jane Harrison – CLA Nick Short – Forestry Commission Zoe Rawson – Yorkshire Tourist Board David Clayden – Natural England Laurie Norris – NFU David Brown – Hovingham Estate Ron Healey – Cyclists Touring Club Nick Cooke – Castle Howard Estate Catriona Cook – British Horse Society Mark Antcliff – Native Woodland Development Officer, Alison Fuller – British Horse Society NYMNP/HHAONB Iain Burgess – North Yorkshire CC Sara Schultz – Natural England Justine Clark – Natural England Dan Wheelwright – Ryedale DC Glen Robinson – Hambleton DC Cath Brason – Forestry Commission
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009 159 Core Funders Group Photograph acknowledgements
Paul Jackson – AONB Manager © AONB Unit (Paul Jackson & Liz Bassindale) Liz Bassindale – AONB Officer Except: Maggie Cochrane – AONB Assistant © Hon. Simon Howard: p25 Graham Megson – North Yorkshire CC © Whitfield Benson: p27 (middle left); p95 (middle left & Dan Wheelwright – Ryedale DC bottom left) Glen Robinson – Hambleton DC © Hovingham Estate: p55 (top right) Sara Schultz/Colin Holm – Natural England © Yorkshire Wildlife Trust: p55 (bottom right) © North Yorkshire CC: p102 Clare Iley-Christie – North Yorkshire CC (SEA Policy Officer)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Tim Townsend – North Yorkshire CC (Mapping Technician)
AONB Partnership Group
A multi-disciplinary group of officers and representatives from the following organisations:
Yorkshire Rural Community Council (now Rural Action Yorkshire) Parish Councils CLA NFU Ramblers Association FWAG Campaign to Protect Rural England Cyclists Touring Club North York Moors NP BTCV Yorkshire Tourist Board North Yorkshire County Council Ryedale District Council Hambleton District Council Natural England Forestry Commission English Heritage Environment Agency
And finally...
All those local communities, schools and individuals who took part in events, meetings and surveys.
160 HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN APRIL 2009
Produced on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, Ryedale District Council and Hambleton District Council by:
HOWARDIAN HILLS AONB JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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