Passionate supporters of England's 'high value' upland areas meet to develop new post-Brexit ideas

The Alliance considered how to persuade the public and the Government to support continued and enhanced delivery of upland benefits to society
The Alliance considered how to persuade the public and the Government to support continued and enhanced delivery of upland benefits to society

Eighty people, including hill farmers and conservationists, have gathered under the banner of the 'Uplands Alliance' to talk passionately about England's 'high value' upland areas.

Organised and sponsored by the five northern National Park Authorities, the Alliance gathered in Penrith today (Friday 13 January) to develop ideas and actions needed to demonstrate the wide range of high value public benefits that the upland areas in the North of England generate for UK society.

They came from the Peak District to Northumberland, from Cumbria to the North York Moors as well as the Yorkshire Dales, Nidderdale, the Forest of Bowland, the North Pennines and the South Pennines.

The Alliance considered how to persuade the public and the Government to support continued and enhanced delivery of these benefits in future Government policy and public funding.

The workshop was addressed by Dame Helen Ghosh, Director-General of the National Trust, who said: “We want to stand alongside our farm tenants in the uplands to look after this most wonderful legacy of landscapes, buildings and farming traditions and be partners with local communities to help them flourish.”

Julia Aglionby, Chairman of the Uplands Alliance, said it was 'fantastic to see so much positive energy'.

“There is substantial common ground between those who care about, manage, conserve and farm the uplands. We all value the northern uplands for their health, well being and environmental benefits. Going forward, with the appropriate support, we can enhance these while maintaining each area’s distinctive cultural heritage and communities.”

'Wide range of public goods and services'

Recently, one of the country’s most precious upland landscapes, the West Pennine Moors, was given special legal protection by Natural England for its nationally important wildlife, upland sheep farming and habitats.

Mike Burke, Natural England’s Area Manager for Cheshire to Lancashire said: “The West Pennine Moors are truly special and wholly warrant this SSSI status. It confers special legal protection and recognises the national scientific importance of its mosaic of upland habitats and populations of breeding birds.

“We will continue to work with all farmers, landowners and conservation groups across the area over the coming weeks and months to explain the importance of this designation and agree how we can work together to protect the area now and in the future.”

The National Sheep Association has raised awareness about upland and hill sheep farming in the UK, with the group releasing a special report looking into the benefits of upland areas to British farming.

Sheep farming in UK upland and hill areas provides a wide range of public goods and services, from food production and environmental stewardship to landscape management and cultural heritage.

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, explains: “Upland farming's public goods go beyond its core agricultural outputs of food and wool; they include its foundation of fragile rural economies and communities, its creation and maintenance of landscapes and environments, and its contribution to tradition and heritage.”