National Character Area 74 - Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds : Key Facts & Data

National Character Area 74

Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds - Key Facts & Data

Landscape and nature conservation designations section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

There are no National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in this NCA (Natural England, 2011).

Designated nature conservation sites

The NCA includes the following statutory nature conservation designations (Natural England, Special Protection Areas; Special Area of Conservation; Ramsars; National Nature Reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserves, 2021):

Please note: (i) Designated areas may overlap (ii) all figures are cut to Mean High Water Line, designations that span coastal/marine areas below this line will not be included.

Condition of designated sites
All designated sites within England are covered by Sites of Scientific Interest (SSSI) units. The condition to these SSSI units within the NCA are as follows (Natural England, Sites of Special Scientific Interest Units, 2021; 2023):

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of statutory sites can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by referring selecting Designations/Land-Based Designations/Statutory.

Map

Natural England Designated Sites View

Details of individual designated sites and their condition can be found on the Natural England website. To view the condition of a site, selects a site, then select the SSSI that legally underpins this, then select “View summary unit condition”.

A group of bushes in a field

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to nature conservation designations, such as biodiversity. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

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Landscape and nature conservation designations map for NCA74

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Landform, geology and soils section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Elevation

Elevation ranges from 26m above sea level to a maximum of 185m at the top of the Wolds. The average elevation of the landscape is 98m above sea level (Natural England, 2010).

Landform and process

The rolling hills the Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds rise above the lowland plains of both the Trent Valley and Belvoir Vales. Younger deposits (200 to 185 million years old) composed of clays, mudstones and ironstones occur in the area (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area).

Bedrock geology

The area is slightly higher than the surrounding lowlands because it sits on hard bedrock that caps the area and erodes more slowly than the mudstone or clay. Younger deposits (200 to 185 million years old) composed of clays, mudstones and ironstones occur in the area (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description).

Superficial deposits

Whilst influencing the elevation and main landform features, the surface expression of the Jurassic bedrock is often subdued by a thick mantle of glacial till which softens landform features to create a smooth landscape. Post glacial erosion has created steep sided valleys forming the rolling landform seen today (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description).

Designated geological sites

The NCA includes the following geological sites (Natural England, Geological and Mixed Sites of Special Scientific Interest, 2021):

wdt_ID NCA_ID NAME NCAAreaHa Interest type Area (ha) 2021 Percent of NCA (2021) Count
2361NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Geological6.80.01
2371NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAIN37,669.6Mixed1,029.52.75
2382NORTHUMBERLAND SANDSTONE HILLS72,694.6Geological45.40.14
2393CHEVIOT FRINGE51,591.3Geological17.10.02
2404CHEVIOTS36,487.9Geological165.00.52
2414CHEVIOTS36,487.9Mixed3,488.99.61
2425BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Geological85.70.18
2435BORDER MOORS AND FORESTS127,155.9Mixed35.80.01
2446SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Geological7.20.02
2456SOLWAY BASIN98,350.4Mixed5,569.25.74

Natural England Designated Geological Sites View

Details of individual designated geological sites and their condition can be found on the Natural England website. To view the condition of a site, selects a site, then select the SSSI that legally underpins this, then select “View summary unit condition”.

A close up of layers of limestone on exposed rock face

Soils and Agriculture Classification

Soils are lime-rich, loamy and clayey which provides moderately fertile land for agricultural use, especially on the plateaux. In places, the clay soil can be heavy and unmanageable and pasture land is generally found in these areas, commonly on steeply sloping valley sides and close to villages (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description).

The main grades of agricultural land in the NCA are broken down as follows (as a proportion of total land area) (Natural England, Provisional Agricultural Land Classification, 2019):

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of statutory sites, soils and ALC can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by selecting Designations/Land-Based Designations/Statutory and Landscape.

Map

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to landform, geology and soils, such as geodiversity services and erosion control. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

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Building Stones of England Database

The Building Stones of England Database was created by Historic England in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. It is a interactive map that allows users to explore building stones and their sources throughout England, as well as the bedrock and superficial geology. You can browse the geological map, as well as search for a building stone, stone source or structure, or search by postcode, address or place name.

Old brick buildings with straw roofs

Landform, geology and soils map for NCA74

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Key waterbodies and catchments section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Major rivers/canals

The following major rivers/canals (by length) have been identified in this NCA (Natural England, data informing the 2014 National Character Area Profiles, 2010):

wdt_ID REF_CODE NAME_1 Name Length (km) SumOfShape_Length
11NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Aln7.67,587.2
21NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINRiver Coquet5.55,516.0
31NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND COASTAL PLAINWhiteadder Water2.92,904.9
410NORTH PENNINESBlack Burn11.911,853.4
510NORTH PENNINESCroglin Water10.010,042.3
610NORTH PENNINESCrowdundle Beck4.34,337.4
710NORTH PENNINESDevil's Water20.520,464.6
810NORTH PENNINESHarwood Beck9.79,740.2
910NORTH PENNINESRiver Allen4.94,889.0
1010NORTH PENNINESRiver Derwent15.315,268.4

Please note: other significant rivers (by volume) may also occur. Tidal stretches of rivers are not included, which may include some major rivers.

The Wolds form a watershed between the rivers Wreake, Soar and Trent with streams draining from the central elevated land to each of these rivers. There is a major inland reservoir at Rutland Water. An important river is the River Eye which is designated as a SSSI. This river comprises an exceptional example of a semi-natural lowland river.

Water quality

Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) are areas designated as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution. These can impact surface water (waterbodies and waterways located above ground) and groundwater (water bodies and waterways located below ground).

Waterbodies such as lakes can also be designated as “eutrophic waters” if the enrichment of the waterbody by nitrate pollution causes accelerated growth of algae, impacting the quality of the water and the balance of organisms within it.

The following NVZs are located within the NCA (Environment Agency, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Designations, 2021):

Water framework directive

River basin management plans cover river basin districts and describe the challenges that threaten the water environment and how these challenges can be managed and funded. The plans include the classification of water quality of surface waters and ground waters.

Draft River Basin Management Plan

The current state of water quality within the NCA can be viewed via the Draft River Basin Management Plan map.

A bridge over a body of water surrounded by trees

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to waterbodies and catchments, such as water provision and water quality regulation. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

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Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing green infrastructure within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These data layers can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these.

A sunset over a body of water

Click on the Water Framework Directive layers on the below map to view the corresponding river names.

Key waterbodies and catchments map for NCA74

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Trees and woodlands section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Total woodland cover

Ancient woodland is any area that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. National Forest Inventory (NFI) woodland includes all forests and woodlands (0.5 hectares and over). The total woodland cover within the NCA is as follows (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023; Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024; this does not consider Natural England’s ‘Ancient Woodland – Revised (England) – Completed Counties’ data as this is being updated in tranches and no full dataset is yet available):

Distribution and size of woodland and trees in the landscape

Woodland cover is generally sparse, except on the wooded scarps and hills along the northern edge of the Wolds and in the Wreake Valley, which has denser woodland cover. Elsewhere, small spinneys, hedgerow and streamside trees predominate, particularly in the valleys. Fox coverts signify strong associations with hunting. There are few areas of conifers and the predominant tree species are ash, oak, sycamore. In the Bunny Hill to Windmill Hill area there are fragments of coppice woodland. Parks, generally dominated by mature parkland oaks, are to be found on sheltered sites around the northern edge of the area (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description, Trent Valley and Rises Natural Area Profile).

Woodland types

A statistical breakdown of the area and type of woodland found across the NCA is detailed below (Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory, 2020; 2023):

Area and proportion of ancient woodland and planted ancient woodland sites (PAWS) within the NCA (Natural England, Ancient Woodland, 2021; 2024):

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to trees and woodland, such as timber and plant-based energy provision, air pollution and climate regulation. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

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Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing woodland access within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these, including woodland planting.

A sunset over a body of water

Trees and woodlands map for NCA74

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Boundary features and patterns

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Boundary features

The field patterns on the ridges often have the rectilinear pattern of 18th- and 19th-century enclosures and are bounded by low thorn hedges. In the valleys denser, mixed species hedgerows and more frequent hedgerow trees are more common. Both arable and pasture are present with a predominance of arable on the gentler gradients and ridge tops, where hedgerow size is correspondingly reduced. Multi-species hedges, are characteristic of the steeper ground and of the smaller fields around the villages. The area generally has exceptionally well managed hedgerows. Uptake of agricultural stewardship programmes has contributed to the restoration and maintenance of boundary features including fencing, hedge management, hedge planting and restoration and restored boundary protection (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Field patterns

The field patterns on the ridges often have the rectilinear pattern of 18th- and 19th-century enclosures. Irregular field patterns are to be found in the valleys. Pasture is often associated with the smaller, more irregular, fields of early enclosure (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Agriculture section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

The following tables provide the most recently available statistics from Defra on agriculture within the NCA.

Farm type

The following farm types are located within this NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm size

The following table outlines the sizes of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm ownership

The following table outlines the ownership of farms within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Land use

The following table outlines the types of agricultural land use within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Livestock numbers

The following livestock are farmed within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Farm labour

The following table outlines the types of farm labour within the NCA (Defra, Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June, 2025):

Please note: (i) Some of the Census data are estimated by Defra so may not present a precise assessment of agriculture within this area (ii) Data refers to commercial holdings only (iii) Data includes land outside of the NCA where it belongs to holdings whose centre point is recorded as being within the NCA.

NCA74 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to agriculture, such as livestock, cultivated crops and plant-based energy provision. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

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NCA74 Countryside Stewardship statement of priorities

Defra have produced Countryside Stewardship statements of priorities and associated maps for each NCA. These are designed for applicants for Countryside Stewardship funding to identify the priority features and issues being targeted in their NCA and help choose which options to include as part of an application.
 
Further information about Countryside Stewardship is provided by the Rural Payments Agency, Defra, Natural England and the Forestry Commission.

A herd of cattle grazing on a lush green field

Note that the below map only shows agri-environment scheme coverage, and not other schemes.

Agriculture map for NCA74

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Key habitats and species section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Habitat distribution/coverage

The wooded escarpments and hills along the northern and western edges of the Wolds have the greatest variety of semi-natural habitats, with woodland, wet flushes and unimproved grassland. Neutral grassland is the most common type of unimproved grassland and there are a number of acidic and calcareous grassland sites associated with local differences of geology. Rutland Water reservoir SPA and Ramsar site is a wetland of International importance and supports populations of waterfowl of European importance. It comprises major wetland area which combines extensive sheets of open water with a complex of wetland and lakeside habitats, including lagoons, islands, mudflats, reed-swamp, marsh, old meadows, pastures, scrub and mature woodland. The designated site extends to 1,555 ha representing approximately 2 per cent of the land area of the NCA. The NCA also contains important arable habitats. These support nationally important assemblages of arable birds (Trent Valley and Rises Natural Area Profile).

Key Habitats

The NCA contains the following areas of key main habitats, as mapped by the national Priority Habitat Inventory (Natural England, Priority Habitats Inventory, 2021; 2024; Natural England, Wood Pasture and Parkland, 2020). Note: lakes and ponds were not included in 2021 data:

MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool

Maps showing locations of priority habitats and some key species can be found on Defra’s MAGiC Interactive Mapping Tool by selecting Habitats and Species/Habitats and Habitats and Species/Species, including priority species for Countryside Stewardship targeting.

Map

National Biodiversity Network Atlas

The National Biodiversity Network Atlas is an online tool that provides a platform to engage, educate and inform people about the natural world. This includes maps showing locations of S41 species.

A butterfly sitting on a flower.

Natural Capital Atlas Profiles

The Natural Capital Atlas Profiles provide an “off the shelf” natural capital evidence base for each county or city region. This includes ecosystem services relating to key habitats and species, such as biodiversity and pollination. Clicking on the relevant County in the below map will also take you to that specific Natural Capital Atlas Profile.
 
The following Natural Capital Atlas Profiles cover counties within this NCA:

  • 22: Leicestershire and Rutland
  • 23: Lincolnshire
  • 30: Nottinghamshire

 

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Defining Favourable Conservation Status Reports

Favourable Conservation Status definitions describe an England scale ambition for habitats and species. They provide context for decision making and actions to achieve and sustain thriving wildlife for each habitat type. This can inform actions for each of the relevant habitats within the NCA.

Broadleaf woodland in autumn

Carbon Storage by Habitat Reports

Terrestrial and marine managers can mitigate climate change by adopting practices which promote carbon storage and reduce emissions while enhancing the biodiversity value of ecosystems. The Carbon Storage by Habitat report examines how different management options may impact on sequestration or loss of carbon by habitat, and can inform actions for each of the relevant habitats within the NCA.

Body of water on marsh landscape

National Biodiversity Climate Change Vulnerability Model Report

Natural England has developed a GIS model that provides an assessment of the vulnerability of priority habitats to climate change based on principles of adaptation for biodiversity. It identifies why areas are vulnerable and which possible interventions can have the biggest impact in increasing resilience to the changing climate. This will inform prioritisation of adaptation action and assist in the development of adaptation strategies for biodiversity within the NCA.

Houses on a white coastal cliff edge

Catchment Based Approach Data Hub

The Catchment Based Approach Data Hub is a webmap displaying a variety of data layers suitable for supporting integrated  catchment management planning. These data layers cover an array of themes including opportunities, issues, characteristics, causes, actions and monitoring. These data layers can be use to help understand the state of waterbodies and associated habitats within the NCAs and the identified issues and opportunities within these.

A sunset over a body of water

Key habitats and species map for NCA74

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Settlement and development patterns section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Settlement patterns

Small villages of mainly red brick buildings clustered around an ironstone or limestone church are regularly spaced across the landscape. There are isolated farms and a few cottages and houses, but the heart of the Wolds is a remote rather empty landscape. Development is concentrated to the south in the Wreake Valley. Melton Mowbray and Oakham are larger settlements with evidence of industry and modern expansion on the outer edges and historic centres (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Main settlements

Main towns/cities within the NCA are: Melton Mowbray, Oakham. The total estimated population for this NCA (derived from ONS 2001 census data) is: 96,052 (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

Local vernacular and building materials

Many of the buildings are red brick but, in the eastern part of the area, ironstone and limestone are found and the spired churches are built of stone. The churches emerge above a roofscape dominated by weathered pantiles. This eastern transition is marked by quarrying of the underlying limestone and the use of the attractive creamy grey stone in Wolds buildings (Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire Wolds Countryside Character Area Description, Countryside Quality Counts, 2003).

NCA74 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Building Stones of England Database

The Building Stones of England Database was created by Historic England in conjunction with the British Geological Survey. It is a interactive map that allows users to explore building stones and their sources throughout England, as well as the bedrock and superficial geology. You can browse the geological map, as well as search for a building stone, stone source or structure, or search by postcode, address or place name.

Old brick buildings with straw roofs

Settlement and development patterns map for NCA74

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Key historic sites and features section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Origin of historic features

In medieval times, the area Now well populated and there remain many deserted and shrunken settlements, as well as extensive areas of ridge and furrow. Of the individual buildings, Belvoir Castle is by far the grandest with an outstanding site overlooking the Vale of Belvoir, although Oakham Castle is also a significant historic feature. Burley-on-the-Hill House, built in 1690s, is another fine building and overlooks Rutland Water. It is designed in the manner associated with Sir Christopher Wren (Countryside Quality Counts Draft Historic Profile, Countryside Character Area Description).

Designated historic assets

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Listed buildings

The NCA includes the following listed buildings (Historic England, National Heritage List for England, 2021; 2024):

Heritage at Risk Register

The NCA includes the following designated historic assets listed within the Heritage at Risk Register (Historic England, Heritage at Risk Register, 2021; 2023):


NCA74 Farmsteads Character Statement

The Historic England Farmstead & Landscape Statement summarises evidence on farmsteads and buildings in their landscape and settlement context, as well as the historic character, significance and foresight issues for the NCA.

A lush green field with an old farm building

Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer

The Aerial Archaeology Mapping Explorer is a tool that displays archaeology that has been identified, mapped and recorded using aerial photographs and other aerial sources across England, including within the NCA over time.

Archaeologists excavating a site near the coast.

Key historic sites and features map for NCA74

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Recreation and access section contains a map

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated. The maps contain live frequently updated datasets.

Public access

The following areas of public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; National Trust, 2021):


Please note: Public access areas may overlap.
The following linear routes or public access for recreation are located within this NCA (Natural England, 2021; Sustrans; 2021):

Green Infrastructure Interactive Map

Defra and Natural England’s Green Infrastructure (GI) interactive map can be used to understand access to existing public rights of way within each NCA.
 

Graphical user interface, application, map

Recreation and access map for NCA74

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Experiential qualities

Note that numbers and figures in the body of the text are based on the 2014 profiles, unless otherwise stated.

Tranquillity

Based on the CPRE map of tranquillity (2006) the infrastructure corridors introduce disturbance and lower the scores across the area, especially in the south along the Wreake Valley where there is more industry and the town of Melton Mowbray. tranquillity on the high Wolds is high.

A breakdown of tranquillity values for this NCA are detailed in the table below (CPRE, Tranquillity Map, 2006):

Dark skies

Light pollution is a generic term referring to artificial light that shines where it is neither wanted nor needed, and can impact on people’s experience of the countryside within the NCAs. CPRE host an interactive map, depicting the light pollution and dark skies within the NCA.

Dark Skies Interactive Map

CPRE commissioned LUC to create maps of Great Britain’s light pollution and dark skies. Using satellite data, the map shows the amount of light spilling up into the night sky. By turning on the National Character Areas layer on the map, the light pollution and dark skies within England’s NCAs can be viewed. By clicking on the individual NCA and selecting PDF Map/More information, more detailed mapping and information for this NCA can be viewed.

Intrusion

The 2007 Intrusion Map(CPRE) shows the extent to which rural landscapes are ‘intruded on’ from urban development, noise (primarily traffic noise), and other sources ofvisualand auditory intrusion. This shows that disturbance is high especially in the south alongthe Wreake Valley where there is more industry and the town of Melton Mowbray.

A breakdown of intrusion values for this NCA is detailed in the table below (CPRE, Intrusion Map, 2007):

Notable trends from the 1960s to 2007 are the percentage increase has more than doubled and the amount of urban land has also increased. Consequently, there has been a reduction in the amount of undisturbed land, although compared to some neighbouring NCAs, the total amount of undisturbed land remains relatively high.

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