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The North Yorkshire Moors Upland Land Management Initiative

Rock formation
The North Yorkshire Moors Upland LMI (known locally as the Farm & Rural Community Scheme) tested integrated rural development in the parishes of Commondale, Danby and Westerdale in the North York Moors National Park. Here, as elsewhere in the Moors, the landscape is of great cultural significance, importance for wildlife, and value to the tourism industry.


The area and the issues

The project area was in the Upper Esk Valley and included 5 villages, 50 farms and 625 households. Farming in this agriculturally 'Less Favoured Area' comprises beef and sheep enterprises, with some dairy production. Moorland within the parishes is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Protection Area, and candidate Special Area of Conservation.

The main issues affecting this area and its agriculture included:

  • Poor transport links, services and village infrastructure;
  • Low farm incomes; 
  • Threats to biodiversity and landscape features from loss of farm labour and traditional skills; and 
  • A strong and potentially vulnerable link between environmental assets and tourism in the area.                    

Key conclusions

The LMI carried out extensive on-the-ground work through land management agreements with local farmers and work with local communities as well as a range of research projects.  Key conclusions arising from this work highlight the need for funding to support the environment both on farms and in villages and increased flexibility for rural policies and funding to cater for local needs.

The North Yorkshire Moors LMI concluded in August 2004. 

Related publications

The North York Moors Upland Land Management Initiative

For further information contact:

Fraser Hugill
North York Moors National Park Authority
The Old Vicarage, Bongate, Helmsley, York YO62 5BP

Telephone: 01439 770657 
Fax: 01439 770691
e-mail: f.Hugill@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk 

or

Sue Plaxton
Natural England - Yorkshire and The Humber region
Victoria Wharf
No.4, The Embankment
Sovereign Street
Leeds LS1 4BA

Telephone: 0113 246 9222
Fax: 0113 2460353
e-mail: sue.plaxton@naturalengland.org.uk