A National Character Area (NCA) is a natural subdivision of England based on a combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity and economic activity.
There are 159 National Character Areas and they follow natural, rather than administrative, boundaries.
As part of its responsibilities in delivering the Natural Environment White Paper, Biodiversity 2020 and the European Landscape Convention, Natural England is revising its National Character Area profiles to make environmental evidence and information easily available to a wider audience.
Revised profiles for all 159 NCAs were published in September 2014.
The new NCAs are being published in a rolling program and can be found on the Natural England website.
[1] NCAs are areas that share similar landscape characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment.
National Character Area profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform their decision-making about the places that they live in and care for.
The information they contain will support the planning of conservation initiatives at a landscape scale, inform the delivery of nature improvement areas and encourage broader partnership working through local nature partnerships.
The profiles will also help to inform choices about how land is managed and can change.
Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features that shape our landscapes, how the landscape has changed over time, the current key drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area's characteristics and ecosystem services.
Statements of environmental opportunity (SEOs) are suggested, which draw on this integrated information.
The SEOs offer guidance on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future.
NCA profiles are working documents which draw on current evidence and knowledge.
Natural England aim to refresh and update them periodically as new information becomes available.
Tyne Gap & Hadrian's Wall 12.
South East Northumberland Coastal Plain 14.
North York Moors and Cleveland Hills 5.
Tyne Gap & Hadrian's Wall 17.
Morecambe Coast & Lune Estuary 32.
North Yorkshire Moors & Cleveland Hills 26.
Derbyshire Peak Fringe & Lower Derwent 51.
Derbyshire Peak Fringe & Lower Derwent 51.
Mid Severn Sandstone Plateau 67.
Cannock Chase & Cank Wood 68.
Clun & North West Herefordshire Hills 99.
Black Mountains & Golden Valley 100.
South Norfolk & High Suffolk Claylands 84.
South Suffolk & North Essex Clayland 87.
Salisbury Plain & West Wiltshire Downs 134.
Salisbury Plain and West Wiltshire Downs 133.