Previous projects

Find out more about some of the previous projects we've been involved with over the last few years.

Natural heritage and land management

Slowing the Flow

The North York Moors National Park Authority is a key partner in the Slowing the Flow Project, to help reduce the risk of flooding to the town of Pickering and surrounding areas. This project took a new approach to flood management by making changes to the way the landscape and catchment is managed. The project was active between 2009 and 2015 but management and monitoring is ongoing.

Cornfield Flowers project

Many of our rarest plants, particularly arable weeds, are on the point of extinction in the North York Moors. We worked with a range of partners and volunteers to collect seed, raise plants and plant on in safe sites.

Cultural heritage

Bee Bole conservation project

In earlier times bees were brought to the moors and kept in ‘bee boles’, or recesses, set into specially built stone walls. Glaisdale has one of the country’s most remarkable surviving examples, possibly dating back to the 18th century, and we managed a conservation project that protected these extremely rare structures.

Boltby Scar excavation

To the north of Sutton Bank, the former Iron Age hillfort at Boltby Scar has been the subject of three excavations in recent years. Aided by volunteers, the Landscape Research Centre worked with us to piece together the story of this thousands of years old place.

Lastingham Mill

Dating from the eighteenth century, this important surviving watermill has had extensive work to secure it for the future.

Nelson Gate

This famous and much-loved landmark on the Thirsk to Helmsley road at the southern entrance to Duncombe Park has been conserved.

Old Park Farm gin gang

Gin gangs or horse engine houses were once a common site in the North York Moors. Sadly few remain. An Historic Buildings Grant enabled the farmer to save this important building.

Conservation area projects

Conservation Area Enhancement Grants have supported work to houses in Lythe, Rosedale Abbey, Thornton le Dale and Helmsley, which enabled original features to be restored, so enhancing the character of these pretty villages and market towns.

Helping the local economy

Destination Partnerships Moors and Dales

We secured a £166,000 grant from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development for 'Destination Partnerships Moors and Dales', a partnership project working with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, and Nidderdale and Howardian Hills Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Running for just under two years (until August 2019), the project supported more than 300 businesses with an aim to boost rural tourism.

North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER Programme

The North York Moors National Park Authority, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, has managed and delivered two consecutive LEADER Programmes from 2008-2020. In total more than £5 million of LEADER funding has been provided through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). This has been used to help lever in an additional £5 million of funds and investment meaning in total, over £10 million has been invested in our communities, businesses and local environment.

Each Programme has been different in its focus and priorities. The first programme, from 2007-2014, focused on social and community based activity; the more recent programme, 2015-2020, supported local growth opportunities and the creation of new jobs under six priority areas including farm productivity, rural tourism and micro and small enterprise. The North York Moors, Coast and Hills LEADER area covered the North York Moors, National Park, the Howardian Hills AONB, the Vale of Pickering, the Hambleton Hills, East Cleveland and the Heritage Coast from Saltburn in the north to Filey in the south. Decisions on all grant applications were made by the Executive Group – a group of members representing public bodies as well as voluntary groups and private members representing sectoral interests including agriculture, small business and tourism.

Coastal Communities Funded Project: Moor to Sea

On behalf of the North York Moors Rural Coastal Community Team, we secured a £275,000 grant from the Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) for the 'Moor to Sea: new activities and niches on the North York Moors Coast’ project. Running for just under two years (May 2017 to March 2019), the project aimed to support at least 140 businesses and create 105 indirect jobs along the coastline between Saltburn and Cloughton.

Coastal Communities Funded Project: Sea Life, See Life

The North York Moors National Park Authority secured £455,000 from the Coastal Communities Fund for the 'Sea Life, See Life' project to showcase the natural, fishing, artistic and culinary heritage of villages between Saltburn and Cloughton, such as Robin Hood's Bay, Staithes and Runswick Bay. Thanks to the funding, various activities were delivered to attract new, more affluent visitors who want to learn and do something different, and to encourage more visitors to stay longer and spend more. The project ran from April 2015 until December 2016.

Encouraging understanding and promoting access

Community access project

We worked with local communities to help them improve paths within and between communities. Local people also gained the skills needed to care for the paths in the future.

Lime and Ice

Events, working with schools, and volunteer experiences were all ways the Lime & Ice project sought to enhance understanding about the distinctive landscape heritage of the south-west corner of the National Park and the adjoining northern Howardian Hills AONB. This HLF funded partnership project finished summer 2013.