Contact: David Carman, ext 5967 email:[email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

That the draft Management Plan for the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty be approved as a consultation document, subject to the strategic comments set out in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.6 of this report and the detailed comments in Appendix 3.

2. Reason

2.1 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are landscapes of national and international importance. The production and adoption of the Management Plans is a statutory duty on the local authorities. The plans have the potential to improve the quality of life for residents of Hampshire living and working in the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty through the conservation and enhancement of their landscapes.

3. Other Options Considered and Rejected

3.1 Not to produce Management Plans. Not to produce drafts for consultation.

4. Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Decision Maker or a Member or Officer consulted - None.

5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - Not applicable.

6. Reason(s) for the Matter being dealt with if Urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: Date:

Councillor K B Estlin

Councillor J K Glen

Councillor J Waddington

1. Summary

1.1 This report has been prepared jointly by the Environment Department and Recreation and Heritage Department, and recommends approval of the draft Management Plan for Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), subject to the strategic comments set out in paragraphs 4.1 to 4.6 of the report and the detailed comments set out in Appendix 3.

1.2 Under the terms of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000, constituent local authorities have a statutory duty to publish Management Plans for AONBs. Four AONBs with a requirement for Management Plans lie within the boundaries of Hampshire:

(i) the North Wessex Downs;

(ii) Chichester Harbour;

(iii) East Hampshire; and

(iv) Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs.

1.3 This report comments on the first draft of the plan for Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs. A report on the North Wessex Downs and Chichester Harbour AONB Management Plans was submitted to the Executive Members for Environment, Spatial Strategy, and Recreation and Heritage in September, and a report on the East Hampshire AONB will be submitted in November. Following revision of the drafts after public consultation, the final plans will be submitted to the local authorities for adoption in March 2004.

2. Introduction

2.1 AONBs are landscapes of national and international importance. The production and adoption of the Management Plans is a statutory duty on the local authorities. The plans have the potential to improve the quality of life for residents of Hampshire living and working in the AONBs through the conservation and enhancement of their landscapes.

Background to AONB Management Plans

2.2 This report considers the consultation draft of the Management Plan for the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB. AONBs are designated by Government under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, for the primary purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape. Their legal status and importance are on a par with National Parks, although they do not have the same administrative powers as National Parks. The Government has made extra funding available for the management of AONBs (refer to paragraph 2.8).

2.3 Part IV of the CROW Act places a statutory duty on constituent local authorities of AONBs to publish Management Plans for AONBs by 1 April 2004 and to review them at five-yearly intervals. The Act also:

(i) places a duty on all public bodies and statutory undertakers to `have regard' to the purposes of AONBs;

(ii) establishes a process for creating AONB Conservation Boards, where this is locally supported; and

(iii) reaffirms the original purposes of designation and confirms the powers of local authorities to take appropriate action to conserve or enhance the natural beauty of AONBs.

2.4 A secondary purpose of designation is to "take account of the needs of agriculture, forestry and other rural industries and of the economic and social needs of local communities. Particular regard should be paid to promoting sustainable forms of economic development that in themselves conserve and enhance the environment". Whilst recreation is not an objective of designation, `the demand for recreation should be met so far as this is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty ...". Guidance for the production of Management Plans for AONBs is provided by the Countryside Agency in its publication `AONB Management Plans: A Guide'.

2.5 Four AONBs lie within the boundaries of Hampshire: North Wessex Downs; Chichester Harbour; East Hampshire; and Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONBs. Their locations are shown on the map attached as Appendix 1. A revocation order for the South Hampshire Coast AONB was issued in January 2002, and will take effect in the event of the New Forest becoming a National Park. The local authorities are not required to produce a Management Plan for this AONB.

2.6 The Management Plans are a Key Decision for the County Council's Forward Plan because of their significance for communities living and working in the AONBs.

2.7 The County Council has committed resources to the production of all the Management Plans, including Member participation and officer involvement in executive, steering and stakeholder groups, and funding.

2.8 Funding for the Management Plans is being shared between the Government and local authorities, with the detail of the arrangements varying according to local circumstances. In Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs, the Government, through the Countryside Agency, provides 75% of the core costs of plan production, including staff, office, publication and other overheads, and 50% for projects. The balance is met by the local authorities on an area pro-rata basis.

3. Background to Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB

3.1 The AONB was designated in 1983 under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, with the primary purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the chalk landscape. Straddling two regions and covering an area of 980 square kilometres, the AONB is the seventh largest in the country. Only 3.4% of the AONB lies within Hampshire, which includes the National Nature Reserve at Tidpit and Martin Down in New Forest District.

3.2 To date there has been no existing Management Plan or partnership upon which to build the statutory plan and its implementation. Paradoxically, this has proved to be one of the strengths of the AONB over the last two years, enabling a new, forward-looking and enthusiastic partnership to look afresh at this important and highly valued landscape.

3.3 A Steering Group, comprising 9 members of the partner authorities and 10 members from Government agencies and the voluntary and private sectors, oversees the production of the management plan. Working groups on the environment, economy and local community support its work. These have been supplemented by an extensive programme of public consultation, which has contributed significantly to the content of the plan.

The Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB Management Plan

3.4 In line with current thinking about sustainability, the integration of environmental, economic and social interests characterises the Management Plan. It is based on a shared 20 year vision for the AONB as a whole, addressing the environment, economy and communities of the AONB, underpinned by details of 12 separate but integrated topics. The plan has been informed by a recently completed landscape character assessment. The plan is in six parts:

(i) Part 1 covers frequently asked questions and the consultation process;

(ii) Part 2 covers the description, issues, aims, objectives and policies for the 12 topic areas;

(iii) Part 3 sets out the draft Action Plan for the next five years;

(iv) Part 4 establishes the need for a monitoring programme;

(v) Part 5 sets out the next steps following adoption of the Management Plan and how to comment on the draft; and

(vi) Part 6 covers appendices.

Copies of the Management Plan are available for inspection in the Members' Room.

3.5 Following a brief introduction that includes the overarching 25 year vision for the AONB, Part 1 provides answers to a range of common questions relating to the AONB, and to the preparation and implementation of the Management Plan. It describes the process of consultations with working groups, local communities and interest groups under the heading of `Listening and Learning'. The consultation process is a good example of outreach working, leading to a genuine involvement of local people in the content of the plan, and raising the profile of the AONB.

3.6 Part 2 sets out the special qualities of the AONB, as described in the landscape character assessment, and the reasons why it is a landscape of national significance, deriving from its exceptional cultural and environmental importance. It provides the factual background information on which the subsequent aims, objectives, policies and actions are based. Visions for the three areas of environment, community and economy establish the aspirations for each theme. The topics covered are:

Environment

(i) Landscape Character

(ii) Biodiversity

(iii) Agriculture

(iv) Forestry

(v) Planning and Development

(vi) Historic Environment and Archaeology

(vii) Built Environment

(viii) Roads, Traffic and Rights of Way

Economy

(ix) Local Economy and Employment

(x) Recreation, Tourism and Access

Community

(xi) Sustainable Rural Communities

(xii) Awareness and Understanding.

3.7 Each of the topic areas is described and the particular characteristics that contribute to or impact upon the AONBs importance are summarised. These brief descriptions are useful in setting the context for the rest of the plan, but it is acknowledged that detailed information on the economy and local community is limited. The issues relevant to each topic are listed, together with their aims and objectives, many drawn from the community consultation. The policies for each of the three themes provide the context for the more detailed actions in the Action Plan. Arranging the policies under three purposes - furthering knowledge, raising awareness and contributing to AONB management - clarifies the direction of the actions and what they seek to achieve.

3.8 Part 3, the Action Plan, sets out over 100 actions for the AONB partnership over the next five years, with those of the highest priority being highlighted. Views on those priorities, drawn from the consultation process, are sought. Many of these activities are already under way and meet AONB objectives, but require consistency across the AONB. Given the small area within Hampshire, there is little extra demand on County Council staff resources. Most effort will go into coordinating with local authority colleagues on cross-boundary issues, mainly through an officer advisory group or through steering groups for research projects and studies.

4. Comments of the Director of Environment and the Director of Recreation and Heritage

4.1 Preparation of the Management Plan has involved a high degree of local consultation, which has raised the profile of the AONB amongst local communities and businesses and this is welcomed.

4.2 The plan benefits from having drawn heavily on the new landscape character assessment, which addresses the links between the economics of land management and farming, and the future of the AONB's landscape. It also provides valuable information on the likely trends in the environment and land-based economy of the AONB.

4.3 The organisation of policies across the three themes, rather than for each individual topic area, ensures that policies within each theme are integrated. Those policies that cut across two or more themes and so deliver multiple objectives need to be identified. This would help to ensure that the plan and the activities arising from it are fully integrated.

4.4 The plan needs to address issues of natural resources (particularly soil, water and renewable energy and sets out the AONB's position in relation to the use of renewables, particularly where these can demonstrate environmental, economic and social benefits. The AONB will need to establish its position in relation to an alternative energy infrastructure and bio-fuels. The Management Plan will also need to reflect the policies in SEERA's `Proposed Alterations to Regional Planning Guidance, South East - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy', May 2003.

4.5 Climate change will have a very significant impact on the AONB and should be highlighted as a key issue across the whole "natural environment" section. It should be linked to flood risk and summer water level issues. Connections with receiving and contributing to climate change research and strategies should also be included in this section. Indeed, the impact of climate change across all Management Plan topics (perhaps as a theme in its own right) deserves thorough investigation. It should certainly be a consideration in the "Historic Environment and Archaeology" and "Built Environment" sections. Although its likely effects can only be surmised, it will be vital for the AONB to respond to change.

4.6 The monitoring programme for the AONB should feed into the Government's work on national indicators for change in the countryside. Reference to this should be made in Part 4 and include an outline of how the AONB will set about establishing indicators. This could refer to work being undertaken by the South West Protected Landscapes Group.

4.7. The problem of attracting staff to the tourism industry in remote areas is a major issue and should be recognised in the plan.

4.8 The approach to recreational routes in the Roads, Traffic and Rights of Way section appears to be too narrow - there is potential here to renew and improve access to the countryside as a whole through the Countryside Access Plans. It is also important to make reference to the role of the various local access forums in guiding the improvements to countryside access.

4.9 The implications of the CROW Act in relation to open access has a potentially high impact on the large tracts of open access land such as the downland in the AONB. The policies should include an access planning strategy to ensure an integrated and coordinated approach to fulfilling the potential for access improvements in the area between the various organisations duty bound under the CROW regulations.

8247/DC

APPENDIX 2

LOCAL AUTHORITY PARTNERS IN AONBs

North Wessex Downs

Hampshire County Council

Oxfordshire County Council

West Berkshire Council

Wiltshire County Council

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

Kennet District Council

North Wiltshire District Council

South Oxfordshire District Council

Swindon Borough Council

Test Valley Borough Council

Vale of White Horse District Council

Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs

Dorset County Council

Hampshire County Council

Somerset County Council

Wiltshire County Council

East Dorset District Council

New Forest District Council

North Dorset District Council

South Somerset District Council

Salisbury District Council

Chichester Harbour

Hampshire County Council

West Sussex County Council

Havant Borough Council

Chichester District Council

East Hampshire

Hampshire County Council

East Hampshire District Council

Winchester City Council

South Hampshire Coast

Hampshire County Council

New Forest District Council

APPENDIX 3

DETAILED COMMENTS ON THE CRANBORNE CHASE AND WEST WILTSHIRE DOWNS AONB MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. RO10: it is important that the issue of conflict is supported by evidence.

2. RO11 is inaccurate - all existing RUPPs will in fact become restricted byways by statute - a process not related to Rights of Way improvement plans.

3. RO12: first line should read `Many' (not All) and `likely' (not due).

4. RO13: first line should read `include' (not provide) In fact ROW improvement plans (or access improvement plans) are intended to be much broader than this and to look at access to the wider countryside as a whole.

5. RK11: as above, has the potential to be much more ambitious than as written.

6. RK12: needs to be clear whether there will or will not be a reduction in conflict.

7. RK13 is important. See general comments on integration, coordination and consistency. Authorities must work together on this.

8. Page 9 first paragraph: whilst the plan lists all 11 local authorities covered by the AONB, it omits to mention that the AONB also straddles a regional boundary too. This could complicate things when applying for grants from, for example, the England Rural Development Programme.

9. Page 9 last paragraph: the importance of linking into the local authority Community Strategies is mentioned here but this point is not flagged up in the Action Tables.

10. Page 11 last paragraph mentions an AONB website. The web address should be stated.

11. Page 35 AG05. FMD illustrated how important tourism was to the rural economy - much more so than agriculture is, rather than vice versa as stated here.

12. Page 36 AGS1. This is the only time that figures from the South East region are used to illustrate a point. They are equally relevant to AGS3/AGS4/AGS5 as well.

13. Page 57 RO8L: in Hampshire, Rights of Way are not the responsibility of the `County Council Highways Department'. The word `usually' should be inserted before `the responsibility of ...'.

14. Page 70 LE09.2 Distribution, Hotels and Catering - 23%, is separated from LE09.5 Tourism - 2.5%, although they are the same sector. The rationale for this should be explained.

15. Page 72 LEK4. It is unlikely that a lack of `access to public transport is reducing the area's ability to attract overnight stay tourists'. As the Plan states, the lack of overnight visitors is due to lack of accommodation and lack of facilities but also lack of marketing and promotion of the area. The Plan steers clear of mentioning any marketing and promotion for the AONB.

16. Page 74: the AONB's key visitor attractions are limited in RECO10- RECO12, but no mention is made of the two in Hampshire, namely Rockbourne Roman Villa and Martin Down National Nature Reserve.

17. Page 74 RECS3: here it is stated that `generally the area has a relatively low level of visitors'. This should be backed up by evidence.

18. Page 136 SEDRA should be SEEDA - South East England Development Agency. References should be made to SEEDA and not SEDRA as a player in the Action Tables.

19. Tourism South East, the regional tourist board for SEEDA region should also be listed on p. 136 and mentioned as a player in the relevant parts of the Action Tables.

20. Paragraph PD03 should note that the four County Councils are also responsible for preparing Minerals and Waste Local Plans or (under new Government proposals) Minerals and Waste Development Frameworks.

21. Paragraph PD07 should note that under the new planning arrangements Mineral and Waste Planning Authorities (in this case the County Councils, often with Unitary partners) will be responsible for producing Minerals and Waste Development Frameworks.