AN action plan to improve the environment, community and heritage assets across a nationally important landscape is set to be approved.

Members of the advisory committee for the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – a 79sq mile area between the North York Moors National Park, the Yorkshire Wolds and the Vale of York – are set to consider approving community projects supporting sustainable development and the rural economy.

Potential projects to be funded include wildlife interpretation boards at Slingsby Church, equipment for a kitchen extension at Oswaldkirk village hall and recording and communications equipment for the Helmsley Mobile Rural Watch Scheme.

The proposed annual budget for landscape and biodiversity works is £27,500, and projects to be funded include hedge restoration schemes and work to control the spread of Himalayan balsam.

About £15,500 looks set to be approved to conserve and enhance historic environment for potential projects such as works on scheduled monuments and repairs to listed buildings at risk at Coulton and Wiganthorpe.

Members of the advisory committee include North Yorkshire County and Hambleton and Ryedale district councils, parish councils, Ramblers, Natural England, the Forestry Commission and the National Farmers Union.