AONBs > Howardian Hills
The Howardian Hills was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1987 and comprises 204 square kilometers of mainly rolling wooded hills, with a patchwork of arable and pasture fields. One of the most noticeable features is the number of large country houses and their designed parkland landscapes. The AONB contains 11 Conservation Areas and over 10% of North Yorkshire’s Registered Parks & Gardens. Nearly 20% of the landscape is woodland and there are 79 sites of local, national or international significance for wildlife.
The statutory purpose of the AONB is set out in the Countryside Commission Policy Statement CCP 352, 1992:
- The primary purpose of designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty.
- In pursuing the primary purpose of designation, account should be taken of the needs of agriculture, forestry, and other rural industries and of the economic and social needs of communities. Particular regard should be paid to promoting sustainable forms of social and economic development that in themselves conserve and enhance the environment.
- Recreation is not an objective of designation, but the demand for recreation should be met so far as this is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses.
The Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 places a duty of care on all ‘relevant bodies’ working in AONBs to have regard to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB. This includes public authorities and agencies such as the County Council, District Councils, Government Departments, Highways Authority, Parish Councils, etc.
In terms of development control, the AONB lies within areas covered by the Ryedale and Hambleton District Councils, who are responsible for local planning matters. The area is also covered by North Yorkshire County Council, which has responsibility for minerals and waste planning.
The AONB Joint Advisory Committee, via the AONB Team, is consulted on day-to-day planning application cases and strategic policy documents. The AONB Manager submits comments as appropriate, for consideration by the local planning authorities as part of the development management process. The LPAs are also subject to the CRoW Act Duty of Regard in their own right, and must adhere to this in relation to their actions on matters relating to the AONB.
Documents
Howardian Hills Landscape Character Assessment
Howardian Hills AONB Management Plan http://www.howardianhills.org.uk/
Landscape / Planning Contact
Paul Jackson mailto:paul.jackson@northyorks.gov.uk
