Agenda item

We received a report regarding the revised programme for the review of the Wye Valley National Landscape Management Plan.

In doing so, the following information was noted:

·        There has been further slippage in the Management Plan Review programme and a consultant has now been commissioned to assist with process.

·        The public consultation draft Management Plan is currently being finalised with previously agreed draft policies retained but the Special Qualities have been further condensed and combined down to ten.

·        The proposed public consultation period for the new Plan will cover 6-8 weeks in the autumn.

·        The current Wye Valley AONB Management Plan (2021-2026) will remain valid until the new National Landscape Management Plan is adopted in 2027.

The programme has continued to experience delays, and it was noted that delivery could not be achieved in-house as originally hoped. Following a small increase in core funding from Defra, the decision was made to appoint an external consultant to support the development of the Management Plan. The consultant has now been commissioned and is actively progressing the work. Despite the slippage, confidence remains high due to the consultant's extensive experience preparing management plans for other National Landscapes and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

As part of the review process, the consultant assessed the National Landscape's special qualities and recommended further consolidation. While it was already recognised that the existing list was too extensive, the revised work has successfully reduced the number from 27 in the current plan to 10. The revised list is considered to continue reflecting the distinctive characteristics of the National Landscape effectively.

An amended timetable has been included. The intention is to launch a public consultation during the autumn of 2026. The consultation is expected to run for approximately six to eight weeks. Following consultation, the responses will be used to refine the draft plan further, with the aim of presenting a revised version to the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) in March 2027 for endorsement before it is submitted for formal adoption.

The current programme anticipates that a finalised Management Plan will be presented to the JAC in July 2027, by which stage it is expected to have been fully adopted by all partner organisations. Stakeholders and Members will be kept informed throughout the process, including notification of consultation dates. As part of the consultation programme, three public meetings are also expected to be held to gather feedback and encourage engagement.

We endorsed the revised programme, supported the further refinement of the special qualities, and acknowledged the existing AONB Management Plan. During discussion, it was asked whether technical comments on the special qualities could still be submitted. It was confirmed that, as the document remains in draft form, any technical feedback would be welcomed and should be sent directly to the project lead.

We resolved:

(i)              To endorse the revised programme for the review and publication of the National Landscape Management Plan.

(ii)             To endorse the further refinement of the Special Qualities for inclusion in the Draft Management Plan.

(iii)           To recognise that the existing AONB Management Plan 2021-2026 remains valid until the new National Landscape Management Plan 2027-2032 is finalised and adopted.