Archived decisions

COUNCIL MEETING, 27 NOVEMBER 2003

AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY MANAGEMENT PLANS: CONSULTATION DRAFTS

1. 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 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) by 1 April 2004 and thereafter to review them at five-yearly intervals. Accordingly, Management Plans have been prepared for the four AONBs that lie within the boundaries of Hampshire, namely North Wessex Downs, Chichester Harbour, East Hampshire and Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs.

2. A joint decision to approve the Management Plans as consultation documents, subject to a number of detailed comments, has been made by the Executive Member for Environment, the Executive Member for Spatial Strategy and the Executive Member for Recreation and Heritage.

3. The Management Plans contain a number of themes under the broad headings of Environment, Economy and Community and have the potential to improve the quality of life for the residents of Hampshire living and working in the AONBs. Funding for the Plans is being shared between the Government and local authority partners, with the detail of the arrangements varying according to local circumstances. 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. Following revision of the drafts after public consultation, the final plans will be submitted to the local authorities for adoption in March 2004.

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