A Milestone Moment for the Yorkshire Wolds
A historic step forward for North and East Yorkshire as the Yorkshire Wolds is formally submitted for AONB status.
Natural England has officially submitted formal proposals to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to designate the Yorkshire Wolds as a new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Covering 463 square kilometres of rolling chalk countryside, dry valleys, and dramatic coastline, the proposed area will be known as the Yorkshire Wolds National Landscape. If confirmed, this will mark the first new AONB designated in England in over 30 years, a landmark moment for our countryside and a campaign CPRE has championed since the 1970s.
“For over 50 years, the North and East Yorkshire branch of the CPRE network has stood up for the Yorkshire Wolds, recognising that its distinctive valleys, chalk grassland, and dramatic coastal cliffs represent one of England’s finest rural landscapes. Natural England’s formal submission of the designation order to the Secretary of State is a huge milestone for our campaign.
In addition, National Landscape status won’t just protect this uniquely beautiful landscape from inappropriate development; it will help secure resources to support nature recovery, preserve local heritage, and promote sustainable access for generations to come. We strongly urge Defra to confirm the order without delay”
Katie Atkinson, Trustee for Planning, CPRE North & East Yorkshire
Goodmanham, Yorkshire Wolds
Shielding from Inappropriate Development
AONB status gives the landscape statutory weight in the planning system, safeguarding its distinct chalk topography, quiet rural character, and open views against unsuitable development.
Huggate, Yorkshire Wolds
Funding Nature Recovery & Local History
Designation would unlock resources and targeted funding to restore fragile chalk grassland, enhance biodiversity and protect the Wolds’ cultural and agricultural heritage
Bishop Wilton, Yorkshire Wolds
Sustainable Access for Generations
National Landscape status would support sustainable access to the Wolds, encouraging quiet rural tourism while benefiting local businesses, farming communities and visitors.
About the Yorkshire Wolds
The Yorkshire Wolds form an arc of gently rolling ground extending from the Humber Estuary, sweeping north-west of Hull to the North Sea coast at Flamborough Head. Characterised by its prominent chalk escarpment, deep dry valleys, and sweeping agricultural vistas, it represents a landscape of singular beauty.
As Natural England’s National Character Area profile notes, the vast majority of the Wolds is open agricultural land punctuated by small, scattered woodland blocks on steeper slopes. The underlying chalk geography is a direct continuation of the same geological formation as the Lincolnshire Wolds (designated in 1973), running under the Humber and rising again along the Yorkshire coast.
Our 50-Year Campaign for the Wolds
1970s: CPRE East Yorkshire publishes its initial position statement advocating for an AONB in the Yorkshire Wolds. Following the 1973 designation of the Lincolnshire Wolds, CPRE champions the protection of Yorkshire’s continuation of the same chalk landscape and scenic dry valleys.
1980s – 1990s: CPRE committees across North and East Yorkshire monitor hedgerow removals and agricultural intensification. CPRE consistently pushes the Countryside Commission (now Natural England) to recognise omitted northern landscapes.
2018 – 2019: The government-commissioned Glover Review evaluates National Parks and AONBs. CPRE submits evidence highlighting “forgotten landscapes”. The final Glover Report specifically recommends the Yorkshire Wolds as a top priority for new AONB status.
2021 – 2023: Natural England reopens formal designation proceedings for the Wolds. CPRE North & East Yorkshire campaigns to ensure the candidate boundary covers the full extent of the landscape, including Driffield, the Wolds Valley, and the Flamborough chalk cliffs.
2024 – 2025: CPRE N&E Yorks participates in drop-ins and submits technical evidence supporting broad boundary lines. Natural England’s public consultations show overwhelming local support (80–95%) for designation.
2026: Natural England formally submits the final Designation Order to the Defra Secretary of State, bringing CPRE’s half-century campaign to the final decision stage.
What Happens Now?
The formal Designation Order now rests with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who can confirm the order, modify the boundary or refuse it. Unfortunately there is no statutory deadline for Defra’s final determination. The National Landscape status will only take legal effect once the Secretary of State signs the confirmation order.
How You Can Help
Membership
While we await Defra’s decision, CPRE North & East Yorkshire will continue pressing Ministers for a prompt sign-off. The best way you can support our ongoing advocacy work across North and East Yorkshire is by joining us as a member from as little as £5 a month.
Donate
As a small regional charity run by volunteers, we rely on donations to help us deliver work standing up for the countryside across North & East Yorkshire. A donation of just £15 could help support our planning lead in reviewing complex consultation documents.
