2 - Northumberland Sandstone Hills : Summary and Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity

Summary

The Northumberland Sandstone Hills curve across central Northumberland in a series of distinctive flat-topped ridges which provide panoramic views of the Cheviots and the coast.

The ridgetops and upper slopes are covered with heather and grass moorland broken by large geometric blocks of conifer. Below this is pasture with some arable cultivation on the lower and dip slopes, broadleaved woodland on scarp slopes and along watercourses and a few notable parklands. There is a long tradition of rearing hardy sheep and cattle in this area.

A number of major rivers flow east to the coast: the Wansbeck and Font arise in the Sandstone Hills while the Aln and Coquet break through from the Cheviot Fringe. The Till meanders through the lowlands of the northwest corner of the National Character Area (NCA). The Till and Coquet are designated for their biodiversity value and are important game fisheries.

The Sandstone Hills play an important role in the recharge of the Fell Sandstone Aquifer; the quality and availability of water in this NCA are important for the supply of water locally and to northern Northumberland, and there are opportunities to help to reduce flood risk in this and downstream NCAs.

This area, with its sparse settlement, slow change and cultural continuity, is perceived as very tranquil, valued for its open vistas and dark night skies. The largely undisturbed landscape holds significant prehistoric and medieval archaeological remains which together form some of the most interesting and nationally important archaeological landscapes in England.

Visitors are attracted by country houses and castles, and by the recreation and experiential opportunities afforded by the tranquil moorlands and valleys. The thriving market town of Alnwick and smaller service centre of Rothbury also attract visitors to the area, with Rothbury acting as a gateway to the Northumberland National Park which covers a central section of the NCA.

Future challenges for the area include continued land management which enables the restoration and enhancement of important habitats such as heath, blanket bog, broadleaved woodland and juniper scrub, and which improves water quality and groundwater recharge. The demands for timber provision must be balanced against the opportunities for reducing the visual impact of the plantations on the landscape and for large-scale restoration of open moorland habitats, as well as the continued provision of red squirrel reserves. There are opportunities to reduce soil erosion, conserve the area’s distinctive archaeology and heritage assets, and reinforce landscape character by reversion of arable land to permanent grassland, particularly where sandy soils are being cultivated on scarp and dip slopes, although this will need to be balanced against future demand for food provision. One of the greatest challenges will be increasing the provision of renewable energy while preserving the open vistas and distinctive skylines.

Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO)

See the Statements of Environmental Opportunity section for more details on the headlines listed below.

SEO 1

Conserve, restore and significantly expand the moorlands, for the habitats, the strong sense of tranquillity and landscape character, and recreational opportunities that they provide. Reduce the visual impact of conifer plantations and enhance their biodiversity value, ensuring that the moorland habitats provide a well-functioning ecosystem that will be more resilient to climate change, will continue to support nationally and internationally important species of wildlife, and will facilitate groundwater recharge of the Fell Sandstone Aquifer, while enhancing their ability to store and sequester carbon and regulate water quality and flow.

SEO 2

Manage and enhance the farmed environment, providing a mosaic of grassland types and structures to benefit wildlife such as breeding waders and hen harrier, supporting the long tradition of rearing hardy livestock in this area, including preserving the rare breed of Chillingham wild cattle, strengthening landscape character, contributing to food provision and managing cropped areas to minimise soil erosion.

SEO 3

Enhance the connecting corridors of streams, rivers and waterbodies, expanding and linking fragmented habitats such as wet pastures, meadows and native woodland, improving water quality, restoring natural river morphology, promoting natural flood management and exploring the possibility of establishing flood storage areas. This should help to protect nationally and internationally important species, ensure that the rivers and waterbodies retain their reputation as renowned game fisheries, and help to reduce the risk of settlements flooding in this and downstream NCAs.

SEO 4

Protect, manage and conserve the area’s distinctive historic and geological environment with its wealth of archaeological and built heritage assets from ‘cup and ring’ marked rocks to Alnwick Castle, and the distinctive geological features including the iconic Simonside crags, providing access to these valuable resources and encouraging their use in research and education to improve understanding and enjoyment of the landscape and its cultural development.