Bid for Isle of Axholme AONB

CPRE Northern Lincolnshire is supporting a move to have the Isle of Axholme officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

North Lincolnshire Council will soon be consulting on the proposal to protect areas across the Isle of Axholme including Crowle, Belton, Epworth, Haxey and surrounding villages.

The area has a unique landscape and is home to many rare and valuable ecological and cultural landscapes, including England’s largest areas of lowland raised mire, some of the most extensive surviving medieval strip field systems in the country, and the first landscapes in Britain to be drained by Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden in the 1620s.

The aim of an AONB is to protect the character of the landscape but at the same time meeting the need for quiet enjoyment of the countryside and having regard for the interests of those who live and work there.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The unique landscape across the Isle of Axholme should be protected now and into the future – it is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and we will now press ahead to ensure it is properly recognised as such.”

David Rose, Chair of CPRE Northern Lincolnshire commented: “we are delighted to support this bid along with the bid for the extension of the Lincolnshire Wolds, that is currently being considered by Natural England. Both bids are important steps to protect and enhance our natural environment.”