Your York East county NFU update

On the 7 September 2026, Natural England submitted proposals to the Defra Secretary of State for a new Yorkshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).   

The statutory purpose of an AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. Designation, if confirmed by the Secretary of State, would recognise the national importance of these beautiful landscapes.  

The proposal to designate a new AONB in the Yorkshire Wolds covers an area of 463km2 and would be known as the Yorkshire Wolds National Landscape. Following the Notice Period, all representations were analysed and one minor deletion was made to the proposal.  The designation of a new AONB in the Yorkshire Wolds would be the first new AONB to be designated in over 30 years.   

The Secretary of State will review the submitted evidence and consider their decision. The Secretary of State has the final decision on whether or not to confirm the Orders. They may decide to confirm the Orders as submitted; or make changes; or decide to refuse it. There is no timescale for this to happen. The Order does not come into effect unless and until confirmed by the Secretary of State.  

Further Information:  

The proposals to designate a new AONB within the Yorkshire Wolds were submitted at the same time as proposals to vary the boundary of the Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) were submitted to Defra. Both projects have attracted strong public and stakeholder support, with between 80–95% support across consultations, although objections have also been received.  

 The package of information submitted to Defra includes: the made Designation Variation Order (Surrey Hills) and made Designation Order (Yorkshire Wolds) and all accompanying maps, all technical assessments, Statutory and Public consultation analysis and the Notice Period Analysis, as well as other supporting information. Copies of all the statutory consultation responses as well as the Notice representations and the letters to Ministers were also submitted to the Secretary of State with the Order, to allow them to take a view of the extent to which they should affect the deliberations on whether to confirm the Order with or without modifications, or not to confirm the Order.  

Further information can be found on the project website: www.yorkshire-wolds-designation-project.org 

Natural England have undertaken this work to conserve and enhance England's most outstanding landscapes for future generations, fulfilling Natural England's powers and responsibilities under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.  

We are seeking nominations for a new Dairy sector representative. Are you passionate about diary, do you want to be involved in policy and making change for the industry? Being part of the Dairy sector board means you will join the northern regional dairy board and represent the county. Meetings are a mix of in person and online. Please reach out for more information [email protected]. 

Join us at our Autumn County Meeting and take part in our Panel Meeting with National and Regional Sector Board Chairs.

Join National Livestock Chair Clare Wise, North Poultry Chair Matt Donald, National Dairy Chair Graham Young and National Crops Chair Jamie Burrows at Malton Rugby Club on Tuesday 13 October

Hear the latest commodity news and policy wins and then take part in our member Q&A session. The bar will be open and the meeting will start at 7.30pm prompt. To book, contact the Regional Office or register via your email invitation.