Heronby: A New Town Shaped by Landscape

What if the landscape shaped a new town, rather than the other way around?

That is the approach we are taking at Heronby, where landscape is being used as the framework for a new community. Shaping where people move, meet, play and connect with nature.

Following last month’s public consultation, attended by Donald Roberts and Kate Astbury, we are continuing to develop the landscape proposals, informed by feedback from local communities.

At the heart of the vision is a 47-hectare Country Park, alongside the protection and enhancement of Heron Wood, existing hedgerows, wetlands and wildlife habitats.

Running through the new town will be the Heronby Hank, a generous green movement corridor connecting neighbourhoods, schools, the town centre and wider landscape. Designed as much more than a route, the Hank will combine walking and cycling, meadow, trees, habitat, informal recreation and, in places, grazing to bring a distinctly rural character into everyday life.

The wider landscape strategy also looks to strengthen connections to Escrick, Riccall and the Trans Pennine Trail, while creating a network of green spaces where play, movement, water, biodiversity and everyday encounters with nature overlap.

The ambition is not simply to provide enough green space. It is to create a landscape structure that gives Heronby its identity from the outset.