STORY
Natural England has submitted a formal proposal to designate approximately 463 square kilometres of the Yorkshire Wolds as a National Landscape. If approved, it would become the first new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty created in England for more than 30 years.
The proposed area includes rolling chalk hills, valleys, grassland and farmland across parts of East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. Natural England said support during different stages of its consultation ranged from 80 to 95 per cent, although objections were also received and considered. Designation could support conservation, nature recovery and tourism while establishing a coordinated management plan for the area.
The proposal has been submitted to the Environment Secretary, who can confirm, amend or reject the designation order. There is no statutory deadline for making that decision and the Yorkshire Wolds has not yet acquired any new legal status. Natural England has separately proposed extending the existing Surrey Hills National Landscape.