The Ure Dales Landscape Recovery Scheme
A 20-year partnership between Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and 18 upland landowners to restore the Ure Dales landscape.
This site is a decision-aid for the 30 April 2026Consortium workshop. Everything here is written in plain English. If something doesn’t make sense, that’s a writing problem — not a reading problem.
Where should you start?
Pick the path that matches your situation.
“I don't know if this is right for my holding”
“I like the idea — I want to understand the numbers”
“I'm minded to proceed — what do I need to know before committing?”
A note from the partnership
This guide has been prepared as part of the Ure Dales Landscape Recovery project — a partnership built on the shared conviction that restoring our landscape means caring for the whole system: the peatlands and river catchments, the farming families whose livelihoods depend on them, and the communities connected to both. We are grateful to every partner, landowner and steering group member who has given their time, trust and expertise to bring this project to its current stage — people who have stewarded this land for generations and people arriving more recently to add their stewardship. As we enter Phase 2 of scoping, this document is offered in the same spirit of openness and collaboration that has brought us this far.
At a glance
What is this?
is a -funded scheme that pays for large-scale environmental restoration over 20 years. The Ure Dales project brings together 18 upland holdings and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust () as a single .
What happens on 30 April?
A facilitated workshop where the 18 landowners consider six decisions. The format is listen → map → decide.
No permanent decisions are made that afternoon. A 14-day period follows, ending 14 May 2026. Consent given on the day but not ratified is treated as “not yet” rather than “yes”.
What does it mean for your holding?
- Your land stays yours. The scheme does not acquire, lease, or restrict your ownership.
- Your is site-specific — agreed with you, not imposed on you.
- Exit is available without penalty after Year 3. Delivered restoration stays with your holding.
- Obligations are held at scheme level, not by individual landowners.
- (procurement, insurance, vet, training) reduce your costs and admin.
What this is not
This is not a compulsory purchase. Not a land grab. Not an environmental restriction order. Not a conservation covenant without consent. It is a voluntary partnership with financial returns, shared costs, and individual exit rights. Read the full list →
Six decisions for 30 April
Each decision is explored in detail across this site. Start with any one.
Governance option
Which structure holds the DEFRA contract and governs the scheme?
Surplus distribution
How is scheme surplus shared between producers, scheme, and community?
Trustmark participation
Bronze, Silver, Gold assurance tiers and premium market access.
Audit model
Pooled scheme-level audit or individual holding audit?
Timeline
The twenty-year, five-phase pathway with review points.
4 Returns framing
Commonland framework: Inspiration, Social, Natural, Financial.
Supporting material
“This site exists to make the scheme understandable — not to persuade. If you read something that does not make sense, or leaves a gap, tell us. We will improve the writing.”