Ilkley Moor has been chosen to pilot one of three major national projects which are set to determine the 50-year future of Britain’s moorlands.

Natural England, the Government’s advisor on the countryside, unveiled its vision of how areas like Ilkley Moor will survive under the threat of climate change at an event in the town.

Its strategy ‘Vital Uplands: a 2060 vision for the upland environment’ sets out how moorland benefits people from food and water to flood defence, carbon storage and recreation and how it might look and be managed in future.

After the plan was unveiled at the Craiglands Hotel delegates, including Bradford Council’s executive, took to the famous moor to find out how the upland environment can be used for the benefit of farmers, land managers and tourists, among others.

Natural England wants to see landowners use the moorland to: l produce food, wood and other raw materials l reduce the impact of climate change l protect wildlife ecosystems l provide clean water supplies from upland rivers and lakes l reduce natural hazards such as flooding and wildfires l promote the benefits of recreation.

The report also points out the need to manage England’s upland peat and soil to help absorb up to four million tonnes of carbon dioxide – a similar amount produced by domestic flights.

Natural England’s acting chairman, Poul Christensen said: “The uplands face many challenges and in the face of this we need a 21st century approach which recognises that food production, a healthy natural environment and the economic stability of the uplands go hand-in-hand.”

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “We were delighted to welcome Natural England to Ilkley and look forward to working with them as closely as we have in the past, to help secure the future benefits we gain from these landscapes.”