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2004-05Annual Report

North PenninesAONB Partnership

Annual Report 04-05 25/7/05 3:03 pm

Annual Report 2004-05

Chairman’s IntroductionWelcome to the second published Annual Report for the North Pennines AONB

Partnership Staff Unit.The team has continued to expand its work at a tremendous rate and

you will see in these pages illustrations of how our work and our influence is growing to

support the conservation and enhancement of this remarkable place.

In 2004 – 05, we launched three new documents, produced mainly in the preceding year:

the first statutory AONB Management Plan, Guidance on the Management and Maintenance

of Roads and the Geodiversity Action Plan.Work quickly got underway to implement these

strategies and plans and there is now widespread evidence of the positive impact the AONB

Staff Unit and its many partners are having on the area.

The continued success of the Partnership’s Small Grant Scheme is cause for celebration and

we have supported over 20 projects this year which help local groups and small businesses

conserve, enhance and celebrate the place in which they live. Sustainable tourism is still a

major focus of our efforts and this year we completed phase 2 our Cyclists Welcome project which has provided cycle-

friendly facilities within tourism businesses, whilst we also produced new cycling leaflets.The 2005 Discovery Guide has been

very well received, whilst the first geology festival for the AONB proved hugely popular and will be repeated this year.

New work has begun on hay meadows, peatlands, drystone walling, and encouraging a common approach to open access

provision across the area’s three counties.This is complemented by major funding successes, such as an award of £416,000

from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support our geotourism and geoconservation work.We have also, after several years of

work, submitted our bid to HLF’s Landscape Partnerships scheme for an ambitious programme of conservation and

interpretation work worth £2.7million.

Whilst this report concentrates on the work of the AONB Staff Unit, many landowners, farmers, Local Access Forums and

many of our partner organisations are working hard for the people, wildlife and landscapes of the North Pennines.They are

all making a crucial contribution to the implementation of the AONB Management Plan.

In the year ahead, there will be even more new initiatives to celebrate.We can look back to considerable progress and

achievement and look forward with optimism.

Cllr Bob Pendlebury OBE D.L.

Chairman, North Pennines AONB Partnership

Page 3

ContentsPage

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................4

The AONB Partnership, Staff Unit and Management Plan .......................................................................................5

A UNESCO Global Geopark..........................................................................................................................................6

Planning for Sustainability, Influencing the Future ......................................................................................................8

Supporting Sustainable Land Management ................................................................................................................10

Supporting Sustainable Communities .........................................................................................................................11

AONB Partnership Small Grant Scheme...................................................................................................................12

Understanding and Enjoying the North Pennines ...................................................................................................14

The National Picture ......................................................................................................................................................16

Finances .............................................................................................................................................................................16

The Year Ahead ................................................................................................................................................................18

Partnership and Staff Unit Members ..........................................................................................................................19

Front cover image: High Cup Nick ©NPAP/Shane HarrisAll uncredited images ©Countryside Agency/Charlie HedleyBack cover images: Cauldron Snout, Middleton Common, Croglin, Moor House – Upper Teesdale NNR (©English Nature)

Patterns from heather burning,Weardale.

Annual Report 04-05 25/7/05 3:03 pm Page 2


Page 4 Page 5

IntroductionAreas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are unique and irreplaceable national assets and along with National Parks represent our

finest countryside.There are 37 AONBs in England, covering 15% of the land area, and a further 4 in Wales.They range in size from the Isles

of Scilly (16 km2) to the Cotswolds (2038 km2).AONBs have their roots in the same legislation that brought about the National Parks – the

National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949), which has been consolidated by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

In the context of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ‘natural beauty’ means so much more than just ‘scenic quality’. It is acknowledged

to refer to a meeting of scenic, ecological, physiographical, geological and cultural interests, which help to define the special characteristics

of a particular place.

The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. In pursuing the primary purpose account should be

taken of the needs of agriculture, forestry, other rural industries and of the economic and social needs of local communities. Particular

regard should be paid to promoting sustainable forms of social and economic development that in themselves conserve and enhance the

environment. Recreation is not an objective of designation, but the demand for recreation should be met so far as this is consistent with

the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses.

The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 (s. 89) consolidated and strengthened earlier legislation on AONBs and for the first

time placed a statutory duty on local authorities to act jointly to produce Management Plans for AONBs within their boundaries.

Management Plans had to be produced by March 2004 and should then be reviewed every five years.

Local Authorities must also have ‘due regard’ for the purpose of AONB designation in the carrying out of their functions.This latter duty is

also extended to public bodies and statutory undertakers. Local Authorities remain responsible for planning and development control in

AONBs and need to include appropriate policies in their local planning documents. One of the statutory roles of the AONB Management

Plan is to guide the production and implementation of future policies which the AONB Partnership might wish to see applied in the

AONB.

The North Pennines AONBThe North Pennines AONB was designated in June 1988.At almost

2000 km2 it is the second largest of the 41 AONBs in England and

Wales and is one of our most wild and unspoilt places. It lies between

the National Parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and

Northumberland with the urban centres of County Durham away to

the east.The AONB crosses the boundaries of two English Regions,

being in both the North East and the North West. It lies within the

boundaries of nine local authorities: the three counties of Cumbria,

Durham and Northumberland and the six districts of Carlisle, Eden,

Derwentside,Teesdale,Tynedale and Wear Valley.

The AONB has a number of special and distinctive features, things which,

seen together, mark it out as different from anywhere else.

These include internationally important numbers of breeding wading

birds, rare arctic alpine flora, wide expanses of moorland, a rich historic

environment, nationally important hay meadows and a unique geology. It

is the goal of AONB designation to conserve and enhance these and

other components of ‘natural beauty’ in the North Pennines.

The AONB Partnership, Staff Unitand Management PlanThe North Pennines AONB PartnershipEach AONB has a body responsible for co-ordinating efforts to conserve and enhance it. In the North Pennines, this is the North Pennines

AONB Partnership. It is made up of almost 30 statutory agencies, local authorities and voluntary / community organisations which care for

the North Pennines.A list of member organisations can be found at the back of this document.

AONB Staff UnitThe work of the AONB Partnership is carried out through the AONB Staff Unit, employed through its accountable body, Durham County

Council.The purpose of the Staff Unit is to promote partnership working to conserve and enhance the AONB and to produce, monitor

and support the implementation of the AONB Management Plan. It also acts as a champion for the area in matters relating to the

conservation and enhancement of natural beauty.The core functions of AONB Staff Units are defined by the Government via the

Countryside Agency.The performance of all of these functions forms the basis for the Agency’s grant aid to the AONB Partnership.The

AONB Staff Unit is based in Stanhope, in County Durham.

The Staff Unit operates five Working Groups, (Land Management,Access and Recreation, Marketing & Promotion, Historic Environment

and the Geopark Advisory Group) which support project development. Each has Terms of Reference and they are an important part of the

Partnership structure. Seventeen working group meetings were held during 2004/05.The ‘Officer Support Group,’ with local authority

officers and other representatives elected from the Partnership, works to support the AONB Officer and met three times during the year.

During the year the Staff Unit has welcomed three new staff: Rebecca Barrett has shared the Area Co-ordinator (North) post with Sarah

Tooze since April 2004. Fiona Corby was appointed to the Woodland Advisor post and began work in June 2004. Fifteen percent of her

time is spent in the Northumberland Coast AONB.When Cathie Tinn left the Sustainable Tourism and Communications Officer post in

December 2004, she was replaced by Shane Harris, then one of our Area Co-ordinators. He was then replaced in March 2005 by Simon

Wilson, who came to us from a post of Senior Rights of Way Officer with Durham County Council.

The Statutory AONB Management PlanAfter over two years of development work, the new AONB Management Plan was produced by the AONB Staff Unit on behalf of the

area’s nine local authorities in March 2004 and formally launched at Hexham Racecourse in June.The plan identifies a new ten year vision

for the AONB, whilst setting out a framework for action for the conservation and enhancement of the AONB from 2004 – 2009. In line

with provisions in the CRoW Act 2000, it includes Policy Guidelines to guide the work of the area’s local authorities and other bodies.

These are intended to generate high and consistent standards of planning and management across the AONB. It also includes a detailed

Action Plan with 37 objectives and a wide range of actions, the implementation of which should contribute greatly to the conservation and

enhancement of natural beauty and sustainable development.A report on the first year of plan implementation will be available from the

AONB Staff Unit during 2005.

A leaflet on the Management Plan, which also outlines some of the ways in which the Partnership works to support its implementation,

was produced by the Staff Unit in March 2005 and launched at the Annual Forum in July.

Copies of the Management Plan and the leaflet are available from the Staff Unit and online at www.northpennines.org.uk

©Crown Copyright. All rights reserved.Durham County Council LA 100019779 2005


The North Pennines AONB –A UNESCO Global Geopark UNESCO Global Geoparks are areas with an outstanding geological heritage, where there is considerable local effort to conserve thisheritage and encourage its enjoyment and understanding by the public. In June 2003, the North Pennines AONB became Britain’s firstEuropean Geopark and in April 2004, UNESCO announced the establishment of the Global Geoparks Network, with the then 17European Geoparks at the forefront of this worldwide family of special places.

New continental Geoparks Networks are springing up in Africa,Asia,Australasia and North and South America, using the UNESCOEuropean Geoparks Network as their formal model.The European Network has now grown to 23 members, with the first Scottish,Romanian and Czech Geoparks being admitted this year.

As the Geopark Network member organisation, the North Pennines AONB Partnership Staff Unit is responsible for administering theEuropean Geopark status locally, with the support of the ‘Geopark Advisory Group.’ The AONB Officer and Ian Forbes (Killhope) sit onthe European Geopark Network Co-ordination Committee and have made significant contributions to the work of the Network this year,including leading on the process of reviewing its structure and systems of communication.

Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan (GAP) Produced in close association with the British Geological Survey and funded by English Nature through the Aggregates Levy SustainabilityFund, the first Geodiversity Action Plan for a UK protected landscape was produced in the previous financial year but launched in May2004 at Killhope – the North of England Lead Mining Museum. Widely praised as an exemplary document which sets the standards forothers to follow, it was very well-received when presented at the European Geoparks Conference in Sicily in October.The GAP, acompanion document to the AONB Management Plan, now guides much of the Staff Unit’s work as managers of the Geopark designation.Copies are available on CD from the Staff Unit.

RockworksThe Staff Unit secured over £600,000 from Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), County Durham Environment Trust and the Countryside Agencyfor this ambitious 4 year project.Amongst a wide range of activities it will interpret at least 25 ‘Priority 1’ sites and identified in the GAP,create three children’s geology clubs, establish a new cycle trail, support training and public events linked to geodiversity, secure the futureof the Geology Festival for four years and establish the post of Geodiversity Officer within the AONB Partnership Staff Unit.

Teesdale Time TrailSupported by HLF’s Heritage Programme, the Countryside Agency and English Nature, the Teesdale Time Trail interprets earth heritage andthe often baffling concept of geological time across seven locations in Teesdale and across to Knock and Garrigill.The work includesinterpretation panels, geological trails and a geological model in the re-vamped Bowlees Visitor Centre. Eggleston Sculptor Phil Townsendhas worked with the Staff Unit and Forest of Teesdale School to produce a new geological sculpture for Hanging Shaw picnic site and he isalso producing a Human Sundial for High Force.This is a partnership project with the British Geological Survey, Raby Estate, DurhamCounty Council, Durham Wildlife Trust, Middleton Plus and the funding bodies.A leaflet covering the whole of the Time Trail will beavailable in summer 2005, by when the work should be completed.

Northern Rocks –The North Pennines Festival of Geology and LandscapeNorthern Rocks was the first of what is intended to be an annual geology and landscape festival for the AONB / Geopark. Forty-fiveevents across the area were held in late May and early June, in part in celebration of European Geoparks Week.Almost 1000 people tookpart in events ranging from guided walks and mine tours, to rock climbing and sculpture workshops and feedback was incredibly positive.In March 2005, the 12 page 2005 Northern Rocks brochure was produced, and this year’s festival promises to be even bigger and better.None of this would be possible without the efforts of our many partners including East Cumbria Countryside Project, Killhope – theNorth of England Lead Mining Museum, Harehope Quarry Project, North Pennines Heritage Trust, local authorities,YHA and the BritishGeological Survey.

Geoparks Trans-national LEADER + ProjectThe Staff Unit has had considerable input into a project with 10 other Geoparks which will develop new projects and share ideas andgood practice in the fields of interpretation and geotourism.The project development work was completed in March 2005 and the bid wassubmitted in April. It has been warmly received to date.

High Force



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Planning for Sustainability,Influencing the FutureOne of the core functions of an AONB Staff Unit is to provide an input to the landuse planning process, both on individual planningapplications which impact on the purpose of AONB designation and also in influencing the development planning process.The aim of thiswork is to seek to ensure that new development and renovations to existing buildings contribute positively to the conservation of localdistinctiveness.

Planning MattersThis year saw an increase in the number of individual planning applications commented on in detail by the Staff Unit (14), in line with oneof the Core Functions of AONB Staff Units identified by Government. These included housing developments at Castle Carrock, Blencarnand St John’s Chapel, a moto-cross site near Edmundbyers and a moorland track at Ousby Fell. Staff also had considerable involvement inmatters surrounding applications, such as ongoing consultation on a planned hydro-electric scheme at Nenthead, Scoping Studies for amajor wind energy generation scheme in the Satley area, the re-opening of Crossthwaite quarry and aggregates extraction andrecreational after use at Harperley on the edge of the AONB.

Comprehensive comments were made on the consultation draft of the North East Regional Spatial Strategy, aimed at raising the profile ofthe North Pennines and its special qualities and helping to ensure proper attention is paid to sustainable rural development.The nextround of consultation in both Regional Spatial Strategies (NE and NW) will be commented on in a similar vein. The Staff Unit also madedetailed comments on the Carlisle Local Plan. It is through work such as this that the AONB Partnership can hope to have a long-terminfluence on development in the AONB, seeking to conserve natural beauty whilst supporting essential development.

Looking AheadIt is also a function of the Staff Unit to comment on and contribute to local, regional and national strategies, plans and other documentswhich affect the conservation of the natural beauty of the AONB. In 2004/05 these have included Regional Forestry Strategies for theNorth East and North West regions, the Cumbria Access Strategy, the Wear Valley LSP Community Strategy, the Teesdale LSPEnvironmental Action Plan,Wolsingham Parish Plan, the NE Tourism Strategy from the NSP and the Cumbria Destination Management Plan2005-6. Input was also provided to Rural Regeneration Cumbria’s ‘New Landscapes’ document, echoing the views of other environmentalorganisations which said that environmental projects needed to be given a higher profile and greater support.

At national level, detailed comments were made on the review of PPS 7 on biodiversity and geodiversity conservation, with the emphasisbeing on the need to give greater weight to geodiversity than had previously been the case.

This year saw several regular meetings between the Staff Unit and District Council Planning staff.These led to agreement to review thePartnership’s Building Design Guidance and to incorporate this into the six Local Development Frameworks as a Supplementary PlanningDocument.Agreement was also reached to produce some joint Planning Guidelines for the AONB, giving more weight to the landuseplanning elements of the AONB Management Plan.

The Staff Unit has been active in many local partnerships this year including the Stanhope Market Towns Initiative steering group, theCounty Durham Environment Partnership,Wear Valley LSP Economic and Environment sub-groups,Tynedale Community Partnership,Teesdale LSP Environment Sub-Group, Carlisle and Eden LSP,Alston Moor Partnership, the Mineral Valleys Project, the North East InterimRegional Tourism Forum Environment Sub-Group, the BGS North of England Regional Advisory Panel and the Cumbria AccessManagement Steering Group.

Staff have been active in making links with the two Regional Development Agencies which affect the North Pennines (ONE NorthEast andthe North West RDA).This work has included two meetings with North West AONBs and National Parks, GONW and the NWDA toprogress matters of joint interest. It has also included an active involvement in the technical group looking into the potential to designateland between the North Pennines AONB and National Parks of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales.

Environmental Stewardship PrioritiesStaff spent considerable time and effort contributing to the identification of local priorities for action under DEFRA’s EnvironmentalStewardship Scheme. Environmental Stewardship will have considerable influence on the conservation of natural beauty of the area overthe next few years and the agreed targeting reflects the priorities identified in the AONB Management Plan.

Above Burnhope Reservoir,Weardale

Guidance for the Management and Maintenance of Roads

Guidance on the Management and Maintenance of Roads in the AONBIn September 2004, the Partnership launched this document which is the product of a partnership with the area’s three HighwayAuthorities. It aims to ensure that the way in which roads and the roadside environment are managed can contribute to, or at least notdiminish, rural character, biodiversity, geodiversity and the historic environment. It is only the second document of its kind for a UKprotected landscape and its implementation is a key objective in the AONB Management Plan. Durham County Council in particular isstriving to implement its recommendations. Copies are available from the Staff Unit.


Supporting Sustainable LandManagement The Staff Unit has fostered the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty through its own work and through supporting the actionsof others. Examples of this work include:

• ‘Unique North Pennines – A Landscape Moulded by People’ is the title under which our HLF Landscape Partnership Scheme was submitted. If approved, the scheme will help conserve river and riparian habitats, help consolidate a number of important historic structures, allow the planting of many areas of new native woodland, establish recreational horseriding routes and produce new interpretation.

• A training programme for new wallers is being developed in partnership with the Dry Stone Walling Association, BTCV and DEFRA.Current wallers will be supported to take on trainees that will enable an increase in the maintenance and restoration of dry stone walls in the North Pennines.

• The AONB Partnership's first Conservation Awards were launched this year and judged in early Summer 2005. Intwo categories, the awards reward excellence in building design & conservation and the conservation of the natural environment. 14 entries were received and the winners will be announced at the 2005 Annual Forum.

• The Staff Unit ran 4 training events with a range of partners this year, including Game Conservancy Trust, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency and Northumberland Wildlife Trust.These events covered hay meadow conservation, black grouse and red squirrel management, riparian and in-stream management, which together attracted over 50 local farmers, land agents and conservation staff. A popular and successful event brought togetherhistoric environment specialists and nature conservationists to look at how the work of one can impact on the other.There was a considerable gap in awareness of the needs and demands of the different disciplines and much useful work done to bridge it.

• The AONB Partnership produced a river corridor conservation plan for the Rivers Tees, Derwent and South Tyne within the AONB, funded by a Project Planning Grant from HLF as part of the ongoing development of the Landscape Partnership Scheme bid.

• In June 2004 Fiona Corby started work as the AONB Woodland Advisor. Fiona has carried out assessments of the existing woodlands in the North Pennines, advised woodland owners on the opportunities and grants for woodland management and new planting.Fiona also works part of her time in the Northumberland Coast AONB.

• With the Historic Environment Working Group we have been developing a project to prioritise for action those Chapels in the AONB in need of conservation (based on reports for the three counties).A programme of prioritised works will be created.We have also been developing a project which will identify buildings at risk beyond the English Heritage register and establish conservation priorities with local people.

• We have continued to develop major projects on peatlands and hay meadows.The peatlands project has built a broad partnership, with particular support from the Environment Agency, and promises to do much to conserve, enhance and celebrate our internationally important peatland resource over the next three years.The hay meadows work is a partnership with Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and this year we completed a major scoping study for the project, supported by funding from English Nature. Both projects will be a major focus of our work in 2005/06.

• A dry stone waller from Weardale obtained a small grant to train two new wallers to work with him. Following this training the business is able to take on more work and contribute to the maintenance of the North Pennines landscape.

• The Staff Unit supported the ongoing development of red squirrel viewing facilities at Killhope, the North of England Lead Mining Museum.


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Supporting Sustainable CommunitiesThe Area Co-ordinator posts and the Partnership’s Small Grants Scheme have enabled us to take a growing role in providing directsupport to communities wishing to take positive action for their local environment.The team was able to support a range of groups andindividuals on matters such as conservation advice, fund raising, project development, interpretation and marketing.

Members of the Staff Unit were also actively involved in the work of Local Strategic Partnerships and many other community focusedgroups across the area (see page 8).

Examples of our work with communities include:• We worked with Whitley Chapel Wetlands Group to increase the wildlife value of a local wetland and celebrate its special plants and

animals.Area Co-ordinator (North) Rebecca Barrett helped the group produce a Local Heritage Initiative bid which secured £15,000 for conservation work.

• We have supported the ongoing project in Blanchland to enhance the built and natural environment of the village. A new trail and interpretive panel are being developed directly by the Staff Unit.

• Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (STiPA) – The Partnership Staff Unit was awarded j200,000 through an INTERREG IIIc / ONE Northeast funded initiative called TouriSME. STiPA aims to support sustainable nature-based tourism initiatives and to strengthen links with small tourism businesses.This fund is supporting research on nature-based tourism and is aiding the development of ‘Know Your North Pennines’, the knowledge based training programme for tourism providers developed by Pennine Horizons.

• With the support of an AONB small grant, ‘Green Explorers’, a community group for disabled youngsters, their friends and carers were able to discover for themselves what they can do in the Teesdale and Weardale countryside. They also developed a leaflet and a webpage to tell others about their experiences.

• Dufton Youth Hostel received a small grant to improve the storage facilities for cyclists following the very successful refurbishment of the hostel.

• We completed the second phase of our ‘Cyclists Welcome’ project, supporting a further six businesses to make the AONB a more cycle – tourism friendly destination.Work included new bike trailers for a local hire company and the provision of further bike racks and sheds. Funding came from the County Durham Single Programme.

Sustainable Development Fund on the WayAfter considerable lobbying by the National Association for AONBs and individual AONB Officers, DEFRA announced in February 2005that the Sustainable Development Fund available in National Parks for the last three years will be made available to AONB teams for 2005– 06.This will provide at least £100,000 a year for the Staff Unit to support organisations and individuals from across the AONB to takeaction for sustainability.The precise details of the scheme, including its longevity, are still being agreed and the NAAONB and individual

Delphkirk Scar, near Murton, Cumbria Green Explorers discovered Upper Teesdale and shared their enthusiasm with others ©Green ExplorersIC



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AONB Partnership Small Grant SchemeThe Small Grant Scheme has provided tremendous support to local communities since its inception in late 2002. Funding comes from theNorth Pennines LEADER Plus programme and the Countryside Agency. During 2004/05 21 projects were supported. Some of these arementioned under the different headings in this report and a full summary is shown below:

• River Wear Environment Trust – development of two areas of ‘willow spiling’ to reduce erosion on the Wear.

• P. Forster – development of a CDROM guide to walks in the North Pennines AONB.

• The Turrets – costs of taking a play about the North Pennines to a festival in Epping Forest.

• Trees for Cotherstone – planting of standard trees in Cotherstone Parish.

• Friends of Killhope – involvement of local people in an archaeological dig on Bollihope Common.

• Langdon Beck YHA – publication of a flyer for educational establishments.

• Dufton YHA – improvements of cycle storage facilities.

• T. Dixon – self-guided walks booklet for Allendale.

• Fawside – development of a community website.

• Friends of Killhope – involvement and training of community volunteers in archaeological survey of part 2 of Stanhope Deer Park.

• Allendale Caravan Park – access improvements and native vegetation planting.

• MRH Stonework – training of two new dry stone wallers.

• Healeyfield Parish Council – improvement of access and fencing of Parish Wood on the edge of Castleside.

• Hayton Parish Council – restoration of a cast-iron signpost.

• Green Explorers Community Association – leaflet and webpage giving information on accessibility and activities for disabled young people, their carers and friends.

• Craftworks! – working with quilting groups to make contemporary quilts with disabled people in Teesdale.

• Langdon Beck YHA – development of plans for an eco-classroom at the Youth Hostel.

• J.C. Henderson – creation of an area of new hay meadow with the involvement of Newcastle school children.

• P. Makepeace – improvement of horse riding facilities at a B&B in Blanchland.

• Whitley Chapel Wetlands Group – extension of habitat work on community wetlands site.

• Kirkby Stephen Town Forum – development of a walks booklet linked to PlusBus.

In addition grants were offered to The River Wear Environment Trust, the Hidden Britain Centre at Brough and artist Sue Scowcroft.For various reasons these applicants decided not to progress with their projects.

At the end of the year there were 10 further applications presented for support from the Small Grants Scheme in 2005 / 06 round of the scheme,giving it a great start to the new year.

©Trees for Cotherstone Archaeological dig, Bollihope Common,Weardale ©Rob Young

Children from Whitley Chapel discover their local wetland habitat ©Graham Dixon

Phase 2 of Stanhope Deer Park Survey ©Tom Gledhill



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Understanding and Enjoying theNorth PenninesEncouraging local people and visitors to explore, enjoy and understand the area is an important aspect of the Partnership’s work. It is alsowidely acknowledged that our rural character, landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and historic environment will be the motive force of oureconomy in years to come.

In 2004/05 some exciting projects were realised and the seeds sown for others in the coming year and beyond. Highlights included:

20,000 copies of the North Pennines AONB Discovery Guide 2005 wereproduced with the support of the Durham RDP, Cumbria RDP, LEADER Plus,local authorities and the Countryside Agency. It builds on the successful 2003and 2004 guides, providing a range of visitor information linked to enjoying andunderstanding the area’s natural assets. It also provides an extensiveaccommodation guide. Copies are available from local TICs or from the StaffUnit.

North Pennines News has developed into a high quality 16 page magazine with a5,000 print run, which showcases the work of the Staff Unit, partners and localorganisations.Two editions were produced, with mainly local distribution.

The Staff Unit provided the Secretariat for the North Pennines (Durham andNorthumberland) Local Access Forum (LAF).The forum was established by

Durham and Northumberland County Councils under provisions in the CRoW Act 2000 to advise on matters surrounding access to opencountry and the production of Rights of Way Improvement Plans.This LAF folded in March 2005 due to financial constraints placed on oneof the partners.Three county LAFs now cover the AONB.The AONB Officer is also a member of the Cumbria LAF.

The Partnership grant-aided and gave considerable support to the Allenheads Trust to run the 2004 Roof of England Walks event. 100people took part in guided and self guided walks in the Upper Allen Valleys.The Staff Unit began working with Defence Estates to developthe 2005 event, which will take the form of a weekend of guided walks on the spectacular countryside of the Warcop Training Area.

We also began to develop a ‘walking tourism’ project with partners in Ireland, through a contact made by the LEADER Plus office.Twostaff visited Sligo with the support of a LEADER Plus grant and we hope to develop this work further in 2005-06.

We re-wrote and reprinted our existing series of four cycle route maps covering much of the AONB, with routes centred on Stanhope,Alston,Allendale Town and Middleton-in-Teesdale. Originally sold in a pack, these attractive leaflets are now available free of charge.

Much work was undertaken on a new 96 page Birdwatching Guide, as part of the STiPA project.As well as promoting birdwatching andwalking opportunities in the AONB, the publication also highlights local facilities and services and promotes the Wake up to Wildlife Farms.

Roof of England Walks, Allenheads ©NPAP/Shane Harris

Holwick Scar ©BGS

The AONB Staff Unit produced two other new publications this year:

• ‘The North Pennines – Looking after it together’ leaflet raises awareness of the AONB Management Plan, highlights the role of the Partnership and Staff Unit and shows

ways in which people can get involved in looking after the countryside.

• A general leaflet promoting the area and the AONB/Geopark designations.

The Staff Unit contributed two walks to the ONENorthEast walking campaign, which aims to promote theregion as a high quality walking tourism destination.

We have sought to influence the emerging DestinationManagement Organisations to give a high profile to thedistinct entity that is the North Pennines.

Media coverage increased this year, with the main interestbeing in the Conservation Awards, the HLF LandscapePartnership bid and Small Grants Scheme.We contributedto a series of articles on the North Pennines in The Journaland gave considerable advice, script editing and an interviewto a privately produced DVD and book on the area.

The AONB was presented through displays at severalpartner Geoparks.The area was also promoted at theNational Outdoor Show, both on the NAAONB and NorthEast stands.

Wake up to Wildlife, our network of wildlife friendly farm accommodation providers, was promoted at an event in Dartmoor NationalPark, where a similar scheme has been developed.

Over 20 illustrated talks on the AONB and the Geopark designation have been given to a wide range of groups and organisations.

Work began on producing three guided walks leaflets centred around Allendale Caravan Park.The aim is to increase visitor enjoyment andunderstanding of the area, while reducing car travel and promoting healthy exercise.

An interpretation audit was carried out during Summer 2004. A large number of organisations were sent a questionnaire about theirinterpretive planning and provision. In addition, 19 individuals were interviewed. The questionnaires and interviews were analysed as partof the development of an audience development plan for the HLF Landscape Partnership Scheme. A draft Interpretation Strategy wasincluded in the HLF bid.

The AONB Staff Unit coordinated a common approach by the County Council's to the signing of access land which commenced acrosslarge parts of the AONB in May 2005.This would benefit users of access land and help to send the message that the North Pennines is adistinct place.The Staff Unit produced text and provided layout ideas for the panels, which were due to be turned into the final signs intime for the launch of Open Access.Work also began on a joint Open Access leaflet for the AONB, which aimed to help people to enjoytheir new rights responsibly.


The National PictureThe National Association for AONBs (NAAONB) works to raise the profile of the designation and secure a bright future for AONBs.Thiswork includes lobbying Government for improvements in legislation surrounding AONBs and the countryside, influencing plans andstrategies, raising public awareness of AONBs and promoting the training and other needs of those employed to work for theconservation of our finest countryside. In July 2004, the AONB Officer was elected to the Board of the National Association for AONBs.As well as helping to organise the 2005 Annual Conference, he has led on matters relating to training.Three staff attended the 2004NAAONB Annual Conference in Llandudno.

The AONB Officer contributed to a national seminar on ‘rural revival’ in protected landscapes hosted by Alun Micheal MP and with theBoard and other colleagues has lobbied for a better deal for AONBs.The main achievement in this field was the decision by DEFRA toprovide AONB teams with a Sustainable Development Fund from mid 2005.

Members of the Staff Unit also attended meetings and seminars organised by the Association, including those on Planning for non-Planners,External Funding and a meeting of communications staff. For part of the year, the AONB Officer was on the editorial board for theNAAONB’s magazine, ‘Outstanding’, which has carried news from the North Pennines in every edition.

In May, the Northern Regional Group of nine AONBs met in Nidderdale and regional meeting of Chairmen and AONB Officers was alsoattended.

The Staff Unit responded to numerous requests for information and support from other AONB teams (and received similar support fromother AONB staff around the country). Staff also contributed to a number of formal NAAONB responses to consultations, including theresponse to the DEFRA consultation on Section 85 bodies under the CRoW Act.

The sharing of ideas and expertise that all of this work brings has added greatly to the development of the Staff Unit and project workand helps to raise the local, regional and national profile of the North Pennines.

National Association for AONBsThe Old Police Station, Northleach, Gloucestershire. 01451 862007. [email protected]

FinancesExpenditure:Staff Costs 254,369.01

Partnership Running Costs (inc equipment, postage etc) 14,916.05

Premises 12,108.84

Small Grant Scheme 40,887.96

Projects, Programmes and Publicity 108, 731.74

Total Expenditure 431, 013.30

Committed Reserves 16,009.70

Total 447, 023.3

Low Force,Teesdale ©NPAP/Shane Harris

Income:Countryside Agency 265,447.54

Local Authorities 66,526

ERDF (LEADER + and Interreg) 48,129.61

Heritage Lottery Fund 51,078

Durham Single Programme Capital Pot 5,880

Cumbria Rural Development Programme 5,840

English Nature 3,500

Other grants and contributions 622.15

Total Income 447,023.30



Page 18 Page 19

The Year AheadIn 2005/06, we will• Subject to the success of the Stage 1 submission, begin to develop the second stage of the HLF Landscape Partnership Scheme bid.

• Support at least 20 projects through the Small Grant Scheme.

• Deliver the new AONB Sustainable Development Fund.

• Provide support and advice to community groups on the development of projects.

• Deliver a series of 4 training seminars for land managers.

• Seek to influence development proposals and contribute to local, regional and national strategies and plans, including the North East and North West Regional Spatial Strategies.

• Begin to review our Building Design Guidance and begin the production of AONB Planning Guidelines.

• Implement year 1 of our geodiversity project, ‘Rockworks’, appointing a Geodiversity Officer, interpreting several sites, creating three children’s geology clubs, producing a new cycle trail and new educational resource material.

• Hold the 2005 North Pennines Festival of Geology and Landscape and develop the summer 2006 event, and hold the 2005 Roof of England Walks walking festival.

• Continue to implement the STiPA project and other nature-based tourism initiatives, including continued support for Pennine Horizons’‘Know Your North Pennines’ project.

• Produce, with partners, publications on Open Access in the AONB.

• Produce three editions of North Pennines News.

• Further develop the ‘Wake up to Wildlife’ project, supporting wildlife-friendly farm accommodation.

• Further develop and begin to deliver major peatland, hay meadow and drystone walling projects.

• Develop a wild plant festival for 2006.

• Complete and print a comprehensive Birdwatching Guide .

• Represent the AONB at fairs and shows including the National Outdoor Show and British Birdwatching Fair.

• Produce 20,000 copies of a 2006 Discovery Guide.

• Continue to work with our partners in the European Geopark Network and the National Association for AONBs and prepare to host the NAAONB Conference in June 2005 and a European Geopark Network meeting in June 2006.

North Pennines AONB Partnership:Carlisle City Council, Derwentside, Eden,Teesdale, Tynedale and Wear Valley District Councils. • Cumbria, Durham and NorthumberlandCounty Councils • Countryside Agency • CPRE • Durham Rural Community Council (also representing Durham ALC) • East CumbriaCountryside Project (non-voting member) • English Heritage • English Nature • Forestry Commission • National Farmers Union (alsorepresenting Country Land and Business Association) • North Pennines Heritage Trust • North Pennines LEADER+ • Northumberland ALC(also representing Northumberland Rural Community Council) • Moorland Association (also representing the Moorland Gamekeepers’Association and the Game Conservancy Trust) • Open Seats elected from the Annual Forum (Kath Toward and Jon Williams) • ONENorthEast (representing the two Regional Development Agencies) • Regional tourism authorities • RSPB • Rural Development Service(DEFRA) • Voluntary Action Cumbria (also representing Cumbria ALC) • Working Group Chairmen (4 non voting-members).

North Pennines AONB Partnership Staff Unit:

AONB Officer Chris Woodley-Stewart

Assistant AONB Officer Peter Samsom

Area Co-ordinator (West) Dr Katharine Birdsall

Area Co-ordinator (North) Sarah Tooze/Rebecca Barrett

Area Co-ordinator (East) Simon Wilson

Sustainable Tourism and Communications Officer Shane Harris

North East AONBs Woodland Advisor Fiona Corby

Office Manager Paul Everson

Dufton and Knock PikesPIC Looking North over Hilton BeckPIC


North Pennines AONB Partnership

Weardale Business Centre,The Old Co-op Building,1 Martin Street, Stanhope. DL13 2UY

Tel: 01388 528801Email: [email protected]: www.northpennines.org.uk

Supported by

and the area's nine local authorities


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