We are thrilled to share the news that the new Management Plan 2022-2027 from Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) has been officially adopted by Cornwall Council this May.
The five-year plan is a shared strategy for those who live, work and visit the Cornwall Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty.
It provides guidance to help Government, statutory organisations and any public body to ensure they are fulfilling their Section 85 (Countryside & Rights of Way Act) duty to ‘have
regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty’ of AONB.
The four key priorities of People, Place, Nature and Climate are at the forefront of the
Protected Landscape’s Policies, Aims and Objectives and Cornwall Heritage Trust is one of 20 partners which support the Cornwall AONB to deliver these.
The Management Plan is fully interactive to make it as accessible as possible for everyone to
engage with.
Cornwall is a beautiful part of the world, with a world-renowned coastline, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site designation, and a host of natural and heritage features that make it unique and such a draw for visitors and residents alike.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are protected landscapes whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them. As such they have been nationally designated by the same legislation as National Parks and have the same status and level of protection.
Cornwall AONB is unique, it is the only AONB that has 12 separate sections totalling almost a third of Cornwall – an area bigger than Dartmoor National Park.
“What happens in AONBs matters. Cornwall has very strong strategic frameworks in place that shape its response to both the climate and ecological emergencies. These frameworks, reflecting national policy directives such as the legal commitment to net zero by 2050 and committing to 30% of our land in positive management by 2030, can only work if partners from across Cornwall work together to common aims,” said Emma Browning, Partnership
Manager Cornwall AONB.
“Within this Management Plan, we have committed to the key priorities of people, place, nature and climate as the driving ethos of its focus for the next 5 years.
“We have ambitious targets that we will achieve, with support and collaboration with our Partners, and our Plan has been shaped through extensive public consultation to be inclusive of all who live, work and visit -the stakeholders – of the Protected Landscape.”
The Cornwall AONB has 12 separate sections that reflect, recognise and define the diversity of our designated landscapes. Each of the 12 sections has its own representation in the Management Plan to create a sense of place. This includes its own local policies and objectives which are locally significant and align with the strategy as a whole. The detailed Local Sections reflect a diverse range of information which is useful for organisations, community groups and individuals including landscape character areas, biodiversity, culture & heritage, local partnerships and neighbourhood plans, other designations, landscape condition, health & wellbeing statistics: population, inequalities, risk groups.
“The 12 local sections within the Management Plan are aimed to be inspirational, informative and supportive, connecting people with place.
“As examples, these sections can support a neighbourhood plan’s development process,
support a funding application by a community group, stakeholder or partner, support an
educational programme and inspire residents and visitors to explore the protected
landscape in a sensitive way,” said Emma Browning, Partnership Manager, Cornwall AONB.
This plan is designed to help with accessibility to information. It is digital and interactive in its full form with downloadable chapters of the plan for ease of use. The AONB team are also preparing audio versions of sections of the plan and an abridged version, all of which will be made available on the website.
This is an important time for the Protected Landscape, and we want as many people to engage with the Management Plan, and use it, as possible.
To read the Management Plan visit: https://www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk/
You can find the Cornwall AONB Team at Royal Cornwall Show Stand 248 from 9 -11 June 2022 and take away a copy of the abridged version of the Management Plan.