We
received a report regarding the publication of the Landscapes
Review of AONBs & National Parks in England.
In
doing so, the following information was noted:
·
Review of Designated Landscapes (National Parks and
AONBs) in England was launched by Environment Secretary Michael
Gove MP last year with a small advisory panel chaired by Julian
Glover.
·
The ‘Landscapes Review’ final report was published on 21st September
2019 with 27 ‘Proposals’ for
Government.
·
The Review identifies that AONBs should be
strengthened, with increased funding, governance reform, new shared
purposes with National Parks, and a greater voice on
development.
·
The report references future designation of the
Forest of Dean and also stakeholder proposals for the Herefordshire
Marches.
·
The publication coincided with the ‘National
moment’ by AONBs, including the poem ‘Fugitives’
by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, as part of the 70th Anniversary
celebrations of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside
Act 1949.
·
The Wye Valley River Festival is used as a case
study in the Report.
·
It is believed that the Review has been favourably
received by DEFRA and a formal Government response will be provided
in due course next year.
·
The National Association for AONBs (NAAONB) has made
an initial brief formal response.
Having received the report the following points were
noted:
-
Encouraging access and enjoyment is not currently a
statutory duty of AONBs, unlike National Parks. The Wye Valley AONB Unit is involved in tourism
and recreation issues depending on priorities, capacity and
resources. However, reaching out to
more diverse communities and hard to reach groups can be expensive
and time consuming.
-
Publicity is key. The
national press and television programmes such as Countryfile have made reference to the Wye Valley
in a positive manner. More locally, the Wye Valley River Festival
has been very successful in promoting the region.
-
In response to a question raised regarding bicycle
friendly public transport provision in the Wye Valley area, it was
noted that 15 to 20 years ago the Wye Valley AONB Partnership
subsidised a Sunday bus service which had some cycle carriage
capacity. However, this was stopped
when the service was taken over by a main bus service
provider.
-
There is a need to pursue co-ordinated public
transport further with strategic linkages being required across
counties. Monmouthshire County Council’s Strategic Transport
Group is looking to pursue cross border working. The Chair of
Monmouthshire County Council’s Strategic Transport Group
(also a member of the Joint Advisory Committee) extended an
invitation for a member of the Joint Advisory Committee to join the
Strategic Transport Group.
-
In response to a question raised regarding
responding to climate change, the AONB Manager informed the Joint
Advisory Committee that when responding to planning applications as
part of the consultation process he recommends that photo voltaic
panels be included on properties where appropriate.
-
It was noted that the Review is critical of the
general lack of collaboration between the National Park and AONBs,
although there are some notable exceptions.
-
It was suggested that local authorities tend not to
have their own aspirations for AONBs although they have a duty of
regard to the AONB and provide support for their AONB
Units.
-
The Review argues that national landscapes have not
always had the support within Whitehall. It was suggested that MPs
should be lobbied to ensure appropriate support is
provided.
-
The Review references future designation of the
Forest of Dean and also stakeholder proposals for the Herefordshire
Marches.
-
The Review expressed support for the strengthening
of the Duty of Regard. DEFRA is working
on how to replace this.
-
It was noted that the Welsh Government Civil Servant
leading on AONBs is familiar with the challenges regarding cross
border working as they formerly worked on the Arriva Rail
franchise. He is establishing a Welsh Government cross departmental
Working Group to ensure that the workings of AONBs and National
Parks are understood, including the cross border issues being
faced.
We
resolved:
(i)
to receive the report;
(ii)
that an item regarding transport collaboration be added to the agenda
for the next meeting and that appropriate officers be invited to
attend.