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East Riding Council Considers Protecting Yorkshire Wolds as AONB
27 Jul
Summary
- East Riding Council supports designating Yorkshire Wolds as AONB
- AONB status would restrict large-scale developments like solar farms
- Farmers may face special planning regulations under AONB
East Riding of Yorkshire Council is currently exploring the possibility of designating the Yorkshire Wolds as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). At a recent executive board meeting, Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell inquired about how this designation would impact the area, particularly in terms of protecting it from solar farm construction.
According to Stephen Hunt, the director of planning and development at East Riding Council, an AONB status would "raise the bar" for new developments, making it more difficult for large-scale projects like solar farms and wind turbines to be approved. The council's leader, Anne Handley, also raised concerns about how this might affect local farmers who wish to build on their own land.
The proposed AONB would cover approximately 180 square miles of the Yorkshire Wolds, an area known for its "dramatic steep-sided dry valleys, high but gentle escarpments, dramatic coastal cliffs and open, rolling agricultural plateaux." Natural England has highlighted the region's rich natural and cultural heritage, including ancient woodlands, species-rich grasslands, and historic settlements.
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If the AONB designation is approved, it could have a significant impact on the future development of the Yorkshire Wolds, prioritizing the preservation of its unique landscape and natural resources.
