Agenda item

To receive a report from Paul Esrich (AONB Partnership Manager) on the Landscapes Review. To note and then to discuss any issues pertinent to the Malvern Hills AONB.

In celebration of the 70^th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, which paved the way for the creation of 46 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage had been commissioned to write the poem ‘Fugitives’. A hard copy of the poem was given to each member of the Committee. A reading of the poem by Simon Armitage over footage of a ‘National Moments’ campaign organised by the National Association for AONBs (including footage of the Malvern Hills AONB) is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKDjTPnDdjU

Following a year-long review during which all National Parks and AONBs had been visited, The Landscapes Review was published on 21 September 2019 to coincide with the 70^th anniversary of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.  Paul Esrich summarised some key points of the Review report which included:

1.     Landscapes alive for nature and beauty: more should be done for biodiversity and conservation and AONB Management Plans should be clearer on how this would be achieved.

2.     Landscapes for everyone: Significant sections of society feel that AONB’s were irrelevant to them. Management Boards tend to be unrepresentative of society at large. The benefits gained from nature in the form of physical and mental well-being were great and should be increased. If there were to be a conflict between conservation and recreation, conservation should be the priority in AONBs as well as National Parks. It was recommended that there be more Rangers and more volunteering.

3.     Living in Landscapes: people living and working in National Parks and AONBs may face additional challenges such as higher housing costs, lack of job opportunities and poor public transport. Economic vitality should be encouraged. It was proposed that AONBs become statutory consultees for planning.

4.     More special places: the process for becoming a designated landscape or for reviewing designated landscape boundaries should be reviewed and streamlined.

5.     New ways of working: AONBs should be renamed National Landscapes, new powers should be introduced and funding should be doubled with a review of the existing funding formula to follow.

In the discussion the following points were considered:

·       It may be difficult to engage young people in AONB governance through direct representation on the JAC; sixth formers could be asked to become members of the JAC but some members felt that although the individual may benefit personally, there may be less benefit for the committee since knowledge and experience were often key to successful participation.

·       Some believed that the document was unrealistic because to increase footfall would be incompatible with wildlife whilst increasing the use of the area with organised events like music festivals and triathlons could deter existing users. It is not always possible to engage different communities and sectors of society because they may have different interests.

·       By contrast many members of the committee welcomed the report and found it well written and accessible. It was thought to fit well with the Environment Bill. The suggestion of increased funding was particularly welcome and the ambition to engage with more people and reflect and respond to society’s changing needs should be embraced.

·       The proposed change of name to National Landscape was generally not favoured. It was felt that it did not successfully define the area which it would be describing. A change of name may be a good idea but not to National Landscape.

·       It was suggested that a new Landscapes Service may be a good thing as it could create a stronger voice for what protected landscapes could offer.

·       It was cautioned that following the Forestry Review, Government only adopted a small amount of the recommendations made, so it was not sure how much difference the review would make.

·       The issue of more affordable housing in the AONB could be thought to be at odds with protecting the environment but it was accepted that affordable housing was needed so the opportunity to have a say on where and how sites were developed should be encouraged.

·       The discrepancy between Government resources received by National Park Authorities and AONB Partnerships was noted and members were pleased to see this addressed in the report. It was explained that targeted and more efficient efforts to access alternative funding streams perhaps from philanthropic or entrepreneurial streams/areas was encouraged in the Review document.

·       Many Members felt that more could and should be done to raise awareness of the Malvern Hills AONB, for example, through signage to promote the area and what visitors could see and experience around them.

·       The concept of ‘recovery’ of nature was queried as it was unclear what time should be gone back to. It was agreed monitoring and action was important but it was not always possible or even desirable to ‘restore or recover’.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

a)     Noted the publication of the Landscapes Review report;

b)    Raised and discussed any issues pertinent to the Malvern Hills AONB Partnership and to its work moving forward, including in the short and longer terms; and

c)     Agreed that a letter from the Malvern Hills AONB JAC be sent to Government welcoming the review and the potential it affords to empower delivery and change.