The Leeds Landscape Assessment was carried out in 1994 by Land Use Consultants on behalf of Leeds City Council and the Countryside Agency. Its findings still hold good today.
Leeds is the second largest metropolitan district in the country, covering 552 square kilometres. Leeds is an extensive administrative area, with a tightly drawn urban centre, distinct satellite towns and scattered villages, particularly to the north and north east. The surrounding countryside in which these sit accounts for approximately two thirds of this figure, the majority designated as Green Belt land.
Within the regional context, five broad natural areas are identified, in work carried out by Natural England in creating its Natural Areas map of England. Generated mainly from the geology and topography and the land uses that these have supported in the past and those that continue in the present, these are listed as follows:
- Leeds coal measures
- Millstone grit plateau
- Wharfedale
- Eastern limestone belt
- The Vale of York
A key feature of the Leeds landscape is the considerable variety of landform, vegetation, patterns of cultivation, character of settlements and communications networks. Together, these create a great diversity of landscape character.
We are currently in the process of digitising the Leeds Landscape Assessment, in pdf format and part of the contents are available below as chapter downloads.
As there are only limited print copies of the Leeds Landscape Assessment, these are available for reference only, please make an advance appointment if you wish to view a copy.
The Landscape Team
Sustainable Development Unit
City Development
2 Rossington Street
Leeds LS2 8HD
Telephone (0113) 247 8148