91 - Yardley-Whittlewood Ridge : Summary and Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity

Summary

The Yardley Whittlewood Ridge National Character Area (NCA) is a low and gently undulating limestone plateau commonly referred to locally as the Ridge. It runs in a south-west to north-east direction between the nearby towns of Northampton and Milton Keynes. The Ridge is more distinct in the south-west where it rises from the adjacent low-lying claylands. From the top, the land slopes away gently in most directions, giving long views over the surrounding countryside.

The Ridge contains a variety of semi-natural habitats, including ancient woodland, wood pasture and parkland, hedgerows, lowland meadow and flood plain grazing marsh. It is a well-wooded landscape with a historic feel stemming from the former Royal Hunting Forests of the 13th century around Yardley Chase, Salcey and Whittlewood forests. The Ridge retains a high proportion of ancient woodland of national importance designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and supports a wide range of species, particularly scarce species of butterfly such as the white admiral and wood white.

Despite being close to Northampton, Milton Keynes and Towcester, the Ridge retains a rural character due to its sparse population and lack of major settlements. A suburban feel is brought to some parts of the NCA by transport infrastructure such as the M1, communication masts on higher ground and formal recreational facilities such as Silverstone Circuit and Santa Pod Raceway which have had an impact on tranquillity. However, the large number of historic houses, designed parkland landscapes and use of local limestone in village buildings give a strong sense of both place and history. The area offers numerous opportunities for leisure and quiet recreation, with the parkland and woodland sites in particular being popular destinations for local communities and visitors from further afield. Key ecosystem services provided by the Ridge include the sense of history that stems from the establishment of Royal Hunting Forests, the high number of large, well-managed estates, historic country houses and associated parkland landscapes. Due to the high proportion of woodland, especially ancient woodland, the Ridge is highly biodiverse, containing a range of habitats and species of principal importance and offering opportunities for people to have contact with the natural environment. Recreation is a significant service and is generally associated with parkland and woodland sites, such as Salcey and Whittlewood forests, where people can enjoy the health benefits of walking and other outdoor activities. The wooded character of the Ridge offers a potential timber resource and a role in helping to regulate the climate, especially where woodland is under active management. The area is facing challenges such as how to protect and enhance its unique natural and historical assets while accommodating the pressure for development and increased demand for leisure and recreation. Opportunities exist to protect and enhance key landscape attributes, to cater to increased recreational demands and to promote a greater appreciation of local distinctiveness.

Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO)

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

SEO 1

Manage, enhance and extend the woodland resource around Salcey, Yardley Chase and Whittlewood, to support a strong sense of place and history, reduce soil erosion and flood risk, improve water quality, benefit biodiversity, support timber and biomass production and aid in climate regulation.

SEO 2

Protect, manage and promote the historic features and designed landscapes, including the registered parks and gardens, remnant Royal Hunting Forest and Grand Union Canal, to ensure that local distinctiveness is preserved, a sense of place and history is maintained and to provide improved interpretation and educational opportunities to increase people’s understanding and enjoyment.

SEO 3

Manage and plan for the recreational use of the area’s woodlands, parkland and visitor attractions, and conserve the overall tranquillity of the area, including strategic views from the elevated landform of the Ridge over the surrounding landscape. Enhance access connections for people and wildlife by putting in place multi-functional green infrastructure networks, building on existing resources such as the Grand Union Canal and numerous cycle and walking routes to create strong access and ecological networks.

SEO 4

Manage agricultural practices and strengthen semi-natural habitats, particularly those near the Oolite aquifer and along watercourses, to protect and improve soil quality, reduce erosion, regulate water flow and improve water quality both in the aquifer and in watercourses and to help climate regulation.