1.1 Geographic Area and Physical Context
- 1.1.1. Topography, Geology and Relief
- 1.1.2. Climate
- 1.1.3. Land Quality and Use
- 1.1.4. Population Centres and Transport Links
- 1.1.5. Economic and Environmental Designations
1.1.1. Topography, Geology and Relief
The Yorkshire and Humber Region is one of considerable variation, ranging from the peaks of the Pennine Hills in the west, down to the North Sea to the east.
West of the A1 corridor, the land is characterised by the carboniferous limestone and millstone grit of the Pennines chain, and rises to over 700m above sea level. In the north of the region are the Pennine Dales, with a series of river valleys flowing eastwards dissecting the broad plateau; to the south this upland continues, merging into the hills of the Peak District.
To the north east, the land rises to form the upland landscape of the North York Moors, including sandstone, mudstone and limestone deposits, over 400m at their highest point. To the south east the extensive chalk deposits of the Yorkshire Wolds, a prominent plateau almost 300m above sea level, with steep sided dry valleys, extend eastwards with spectacular cliffs where the outcrop meets the coast at Flamborough Head. South of the Humber, the northern tip of the extensive chalk deposits of Lincolnshire Wolds enters the region.
In the south of the region, immediately east of the Pennine Hills, lie the shallow coal measure deposits of the Yorkshire coalfield, the eastern boundary of which is marked by the Magnesian Limestone ridge which bisects the region from north to south along the A1 corridor.
The large central low lying area of the Vale of York constitutes the floodplain of many of the region's major rivers and is underlain by glacial deposits of sandstone and mudstone.
1.1.2. Climate
The Pennine uplands and foothills in the west of the region and the North York Moors in the north east are characterised by severe conditions, especially in winter. The high rainfall in the Pennines decreases rapidly eastwards and the North York Moors are generally drier. The growing season is approximately 190-200 days (Figure 1.1), which limits agricultural production to extensive livestock systems.
Figure 1.1: Accumulated Temperature above 0 degrees C (January to June) 1941-1970. Average Annual Rainfall (mm) 1941-1970 (Source: The Meteorological Office)
The lowlands including the Vale of York, Vale of Pickering and the area around the Humber estuary, are relatively dry, but inclined to be exposed to cold winds in spring and early summer, increasing erosion risk on light soils. Drainage of cold air from surrounding uplands gives rise to prolonged and severe frosts and fog in the Vale of York. The growing season inland is generally between 250 and 260 days, while around the Humber estuary it is about 275 days. These conditions create few limitations for most agricultural crops.
The Yorkshire Wolds are exposed to easterly winds giving rise to higher rainfall than in the lowlands to the west. The growing season tends to be shorter than surrounding lowlands, being around 230 days in the high Wolds. This provides few limitations to most arable crops.
1.1.3. Land Quality and Use
Agricultural land represents 76% (1,095,544 ha) of the total regional area (1,542,951 ha). MAFF has an agricultural land classification system with 5 separate grades depending on physical limitations. Grade 1 is the best quality and Grade 5 the worst (See Annex >IV of the National Plan for a detailed definition of ALC grading system).
Excellent quality agricultural land (Grade 1) accounts for 1.2% of the agricultural land in the region (Figure 1.2). It is most extensive on the lighter warp soils found alongside the lower reaches of the Rivers Ouse and Trent but also occurs south east of Barton-on-Humber and on some deep sandy loam soils around Ripon. This land has few, if any limitations and is capable of growing high yields of a wide range of arable and horticultural crops.
Figure 1.2. Agricultural Land Classification (Source: MAFF)
Very good quality agricultural land (Grade 2) accounts for 19% of the land in the region. It is extensive in the Vale of York, on the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Wolds, on the heavier textured warp soils alongside the lower reaches of the Rivers Ouse and Trent, and in Holderness. This land has only slight limitations, principally slight soil droughtiness but also soil wetness/topsoil workability restrictions on the warp soils and in Holderness. This land is capable of growing a wide range of arable and horticultural crops.
Good to moderate quality agricultural land (Grade 3) accounts for 37.7% of the land in the region. Grade 3 land occurs extensively in the lowlands of Yorkshire and Humberside, often on soils derived from boulder clay, lacustrine clay or aeolian sand. The main limitations on Grade 3 land are soil wetness, but erosion and drought risk are also limiting factors on some lighter soils. Grade 3 land is capable of growing a restricted range of arable and some root crops, as well as producing good yields of grass. Land at the lower end of the grade is likely to produce only moderate yields of a narrow range of crops, principally cereals and grass.
Poor quality agricultural land, classed as Grade 4, accounts for 14.9% of the land in the region. It is located principally in the foothills of the Pennines and the valleys of the North Yorkshire Moors, but also some very poorly drained and clayey soils in the Vale of York. Poor soil conditions due to high rainfall and poor drainage in the uplands are the main limitations on soil of this grade. Severe soil wetness and topsoil workability are limitations in the lowlands. Grade 4 land has severe limitations which generally restrict it to grass production with occasional forage crops.
Grade 5 land is classed as very poor agricultural land and accounts for 17.5% of the land in the region. It is mainly located on the tops of the Pennine Hills and North Yorkshire Moors and the undrained peat soils at Thorne Waste and Hatfield Moors between Doncaster and Goole. The principal limitations are the combination of climate and soil wetness. Grade 5 land is normally limited to rough grazing.
Urban and Non-Agricultural Land accounts for 9.7% of the land in the region and includes housing, industrial land, mineral workings, commercial forestry, amenity land, golf courses, public open spaces and allotments. The National Land Use Database (DETR 1999) highlights 2,970 hectares of previously developed vacant land in the region and a further 3,510 hectares of derelict land and buildings.
There are significant intra-regional variations in the distribution of land use (Figure 1.3). The most distinct is the marked divide between grassland fringes and moorland in the west of the region and arable cropping in the east of the region. The notable exception to this pattern being the upland area of the North York Moors in the north east, which also includes quite large tracts of forestry.
Figure 1.3. Dominant Land Cover 1990 (Source: Institute of Terrestrial Ecology)
The total agricultural land area of the region (including agricultural commonland) amounts to 1,177,057 hectares. This represents over 12% of the total agricultural area of England.
Agricultural land use in the region is almost equally split between arable and grassland. Arable cropping is the single most extensive agricultural use in the region, currently accounting for 47% of the agricultural land (Figure 1.4). Permanent pasture ( > 5 years) is also a significant land use (24%), while rough grazing accounts for nearly 12% and commonland 7% of the agricultural land in the region.
The agricultural land area has declined by about 14,000 hectares (just over 1%) over the period 1987-'97. This represents primarily a loss of land to development. Despite this loss, the area of land in arable cropping and set-aside has remained largely unchanged. Due to economic pressures there has been a movement out of grassland (particularly temporary grassland) to compensate for the loss of arable land. The areas of rough grazing, temporary and permanent grassland have all declined over the same period. There has also been a slight increase in the proportion of land recorded as 'other' land and farm woodland. This reflects, in part, increased woodland plantings (Source: MAFF Agricultural Census).
Figure 1.4. Agricultural Land Use 1997 (Source: MAFF Agricultural Census)
1.1.4. Population Centres and Transport Links
The main population centres and transport links are illustrated in (Figure 1.5). The main population centres of the region are strongly concentrated in the south west, principally Leeds and Bradford in West Yorkshire and Sheffield in South Yorkshire. Approximately 75% of the region's population live in these centres.
In contrast, in the north of the region there are very few large centres of population but a large number of market and rural towns, particularly in the county of North Yorkshire. The City of York is the primary population centre for the northern part of the region. The fishing port of Grimsby located on the southern shores of the River Humber at the mouth of the estuary and Kingston-upon-Hull to the north of the river, are the main settlements in the east of the region, accompanied by a number of significant market and rural towns (Figure 1.5).
The M1/A1 is the major North-South road transport artery, running right through the centre of the region. A major east-west link is provided in the south of the region by the M62 which crosses the Pennines and links Manchester with Hull. Several other motorways combine to form a reasonable network serving the south of the region. The upland areas of the North York Moors in the east and the Yorkshire Dales and Pennine Hills in the west significantly influence the pattern of road infrastructure in the north of the region. The region is served by Leeds-Bradford, Humberside and Teeside regional airports, and the nationally important Humber ports (Goole, Hull, Grimsby and Immingham) which are important centres for import and export, particularly of agricultural commodities. Reasonable rail links exist from north to south with some peripheral areas serviced from this main route (Figure 1.5).
Figure 1.5. Main centres of population and transport links (Source: FRCA)
1.1.5. Economic and Environmental Designations
There are four primary types of agricultural designations which apply to the rural parts of the region (A full explanation of these designations is presented at Annex IV in the National Chapter).
Much of the Yorkshire Dales, Pennines and North York Moors are designated as less favoured area (LFA). Hill livestock compensatory allowances (HLCA) are paid on eligible breeding sheep and cattle in these areas (Figure 1.6.).
Of the coastline in the Yorkshire and the Humber Region, 82 km is designated as Heritage Coast. This is primarily along the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast. There are two smaller sections designated around Flamborough Head and Spurn Point (Figure 1.6).
There are nine Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) in Yorkshire and Humberside. These are predominantly located in the east of the region, where water sources are affected by high or rising levels of nitrate from agricultural sources. (Figure 1.6).
Figure 1.6. Less Favoured Areas, Moorland Line, Nitrate Sensitive Areas, Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and Heritage Coast (Source: MAFF, DETR)
Objective 5b is a designation made under the European Union's (EU) programme of structural funds 1994-1999, and aims to target assistance for the development and structural adjustment of disadvantaged rural areas. The region contains parts of the Northern Uplands 5b area where nearly £28 million of public support has been available to promote sustainable economic development of agricultural businesses (Figure 1.7).
Figure 1.7. European Structural Funds (1994-1999) (Source: DETR)
For the EU structural funds programming period 2000-2006 South Yorkshire has been designated Objective 1. The Government's proposals for Objective 2 include parts of the Yorkshire and the Humber Region, which include the rural upland areas of North Yorkshire, and the fisheries areas of North Yorkshire and Humberside. These were approved by the European Commission in 2000. In addition, parts of West Yorkshire and Humberside are proposed for support for the economic regeneration of their industrial and urban areas (Details of these designations are contained in the National Chapter) (Figure 1.8).
Figure 1.8. Proposed Objective 1 and 2 Areas 1999, illustrative rather than definitive (Source: Department of Trade and Industry)
The Yorkshire and the Humber region contains three National Parks; nearly all of the North York Moors National Park, most of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the north east fringe of the Peak District National Park. In total, these amount to 3,146 sq km, representing 21% of the region's land area. This is the highest proportion of any of the English Government Office Regions covered by National Park designations. (Figure 1.9).
A further 921 sq km (6%) of the region is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), comprising the Howardian Hills AONB, Nidderdale AONB, Lincolnshire Wolds AONB and Forest of Bowland AONB (Figure 1.9).
The Pennine Dales and the North Peak Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs), cover part of the region. The ESA scheme is designed to protect and enhance the environment by offering payments to landowners and occupiers in these areas to adopt environmentally beneficial agricultural practices. Land outside the ESA boundaries is eligible for the Countryside Stewardship Scheme which also offers payments for environmentally friendly management (Figure 1.9). (Figure 1.10).
In addition to these environmental designations, the region also contains a series of national and internationally important nature conservation sites, including RAMSAR sites, 4 Special Protection Areas (SPA), 3 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), 372 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) covering 151,737 hectares, and a number of National Nature Reserves (NNRs). Two further Special Protection Areas are proposed in the North York Moors and the North Pennine Moors, each covering over 40,000 hectares within the region (Figure 1.9). (Figure1.10).
Figure 1.9. Environmentally Sensitive Areas, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks, and National Nature Reserves (NNRs Source: English Nature)
Figure 1.10. Sites of Special Scientific Interest, RAMSAR and Natura 2000 Designations, 1st September 1999 (Source: English Nature)
Page last modified:
17 August, 2005
Page published: 1 October, 2000