A BID to have the Yorkshire Wolds granted Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) status has received welcome backing from two councillors.

Ryedale District Councillors Nathan Garbutt-Moore (Con) and Tracie Middleton (Ind) will put forward a motion to the next RDC meeting, which will be held on Thursday, April 15.

Created by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949, AONBs represent 18 per cent of the finest countryside in England and Wales and are designated because of their flora, fauna, historical and cultural associations as well as scenic views.

Councillor Tracie Middleton, who represents the Wolds ward, said: “A large part of the Wolds sits in Ryedale and I have been privileged to reside and raise family there.

“It is a natural landscape like no other and it deserves the recognition of becoming an AONB.”

East Riding Council wants to see the Wolds recognised as part of the Government’s 2020 pledge to increase the number of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and National Parks in England.

There are 46 in England ranging from moors to water meadows and the hope of local councillors is that the Yorkshire Wolds will become the 47th.

Councillor Nathan Garbutt-Moore, vice-chairman of RDC, added: “If the bid is success it will support the local economy while protecting the environment.”

“We want to see Ryedale working with East Riding to ensure the bid is successful.”

If the Yorkshire Wolds’ bid is successful, it will be the first AONB to be designated in 25 years.

The smallest is the Isles of Scilly - at just 6.2 square miles, while the largest is the Cotswolds. All English and Welsh AONBs have a dedicated AONB officer and other staff.

If Natural England accepts the bid, the council will create a management plan which will go out for public consultation.

Each AONB has a management plan that sets out the characteristics and special qualities of the landscape and how they will be conserved and enhanced.