This area
spans the northern edge of the district and includes the distinctive landscape
of Wharfedale, a landscape influenced by the Millstone Grit Plateau and areas
of encapsulated countryside, together with an urban fringe parkland.
Between Otley
and Wetherby the Wharfe Valley dominates the landscape as the river meanders
through the floodplain. Deciduous woodlands line and overlook the flood plain
along with pastoral farmland. To the south of this area the landscape and land
uses are influenced by the underlying geology of Millstone Grit. This gives
rise to pastoral farmland, pockets of rough pasture and horse grazing around
settlements. The area includes also Hawksworth Moor, to the west of Guiseley
which not only forms the highest point in the district but also the only
significant area of open heather covered moorland. Integral to this Management
Area also are the Meanwood Valley, Roundhay Park and Wyke Beck Valley. These
areas perform important green corridor and gateway functions in linking the
urban area to wider countryside.
Within
Wharfedale and North Leeds there are a series of recreation facilities and
attractions. Otley Chevin Forest Park, Golden Acre Park/Breary Marsh, Eccup
Reservoir, Harewood House, the Meanwood and Wyke Beck Valleys and Roundhay Park
provide opportunities for sport and informal recreation. A number of golf
courses are also situated within the area and the Wharfe Valley itself is
recognised as a regional and national destination for tourism. The area is
served also by a series of key footpath links such as the Leeds Country Way and
Dales Way.
Area
Initiatives
A series of initiatives are active within Wharfedale and North Leeds, although
to some extent these are fragmented. The City Council operates site based
ranger services at Otley Chevin and the Meanwood Valley and is active also in
partnership with the Countryside Commission in promoting the Parish Paths
Partnership Initiative at Meanwood, Roundhay and Bardsey. The Countryside
Commission is active also in targeting the Wharfe Valley as part of the
Countryside Stewardship Scheme. National initiatives, such as Rural Action, are
also being promoted in the area.
Management
Strategy
The desire to conserve and restore the landscape character of Wharfedale and
North Leeds is central to the countryside management strategy for this area.
This is important in the context of pressures for the extraction of high grade
mineral deposits of sand and gravel in the area of Arthington and
Otley.
The continued
viability of agriculture within the area is an important consideration given
the relationship of this to the maintenance of landscape character. A feature
of the Management Strategy also is the desire to sustain the countryside in the
context of intensive use and pressure for recreation facilities and associated
activities.
Landscape
- Safeguard the
landscape character of the area through measures to Conserve and
Conserve/Enhance existing character in appropriate locations.
Recreation
- Support
opportunities for recreation and tourism where they contribute to the
conservation and enhancement of landscape character, the diversification of
agriculture and are compatible with the UDP.
- Maintain and
develop the green corridor functions of the Meanwood Valley, Wyke Beck Valley
and Roundhay Park as gateways to wider countryside.