Vision for the future of Northumberland National Park

Jan 31 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

FARMING AND FORESTRY

FARMING is the dominant land use in the park, occupying 80% of the area and contributing significantly to the landscape, biodiversity and economy of the park.

There are 220 farms in the park, ranging from an average size of 1,205 hectares in the Cheviot area to 293 hectares around Hadrian’s Wall.

Half of the farmed land is occupied by four large owners - Northumberland Estates, Lilburn Estate, College Valley Estates and the Ministry of Defence.

As a result of changing agricultural policy, the number of farms has fallen by 9% in the last 16 years.

But the park has twice as much land in agri-environment schemes compared with the national average and this brings in £2m a year.

Half of all drystone walls and 90% of hedges are in need of maintenance and repair.

Forestry accounts for about 20% of the park and has an important climate change function in absorbing carbon dioxide.

Since 1995 over 700 hectares of native woodland have been created. The plan says: “Adapting to climate change is likely to result in changes in the way people live and work in the park.”

It is thought that there are unique opportunities for the park to act as a test bed for new approaches to sustainable development and responses to climate change with projects on a large landscape scale.

HERITAGE

THE park has an impressive historical landscape from prehistoric times onwards.

It has 225 listed buildings, 26 of which are at risk, and 430 scheduled ancient monuments – a third of the North East total – but 75 are at high risk and 182 at medium risk.

Much of the park’s archaeological heritage is still hidden and not recorded, which carries potential risk.