© Mark Morton. Creative Commons License: www.geograph.org.uk/reuse.php?id=41661

The historic character of these areas is defined by an open landscape with strong rural indicators such as open space, relict field patterns and boundaries, high levels of woodland and a general absence of housing or active industry. Nevertheless, the influence of nearby or surrounding urban settlement has fundamentally altered their character. All these areas have previously been dominated by agricultural or industrial character (sometimes both), however these activities have now generally ceased and the management of these landscapes is generally concerned with maintaining their amenity value as green spaces whilst encouraging opportunities for recreation and biodiversity. This zone is fund within all four districts of South Yorkshire and is generally located on the edge of the major settlements, Barnsley, Sheffield, Doncaster and Rotherham, but is also found near Chapletown and Stocksbridge.