A NEW management plan for the North York Moors includes new “wildlife super highways”, new rural jobs and increased food production.

The 120-page document follows original research carried out by the National Park Authority.

The proposed wildlife super highways are patches, strips and corridors of good habitat created to join up wildlife-rich gems, so species such as the rare Duke of Burgundy butterfly, lizards and water voles can spread and cope better with challenges.

Targets by 2017 include an additional 300 hectares of woodland and 150 hectares of species rich grassland, the restoration of 600 hectares of ancient woodland planted with conifers and an additional 75 affordable homes.