Decision details

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 local authorities and Conservation Boards (where applicable) are required to produce Management Plans for National Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)) within their boundaries and to review them at intervals of no more than five-years. The Cotswolds National Landscape Board adopted the Cotswolds National Landscape Management Plan 2023-2025 last year. This item will seek endorsement of the Cotswolds National Landscape Management Plan 2023-2025 as the basis for safeguarding and managing the unique beauty and distinctive character of the National Landscape and to be taken into account in the preparation of the Council’s Local Development documents and in the determination of planning applications.

To endorse the Cotswolds National Landscape Management Plan 2023-2025 as the basis for safeguarding and managing the unique beauty and distinctive character of the National Landscape and to be taken into account in the preparation of the Council’s Local Development documents and as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

By endorsing the Cotswolds National Landscape Management Plan, the Council will fulfil its duties under the provisions of Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act for local authorities to have regard to the conservation and enhancement of the National Landscape when carrying out their operations and statutory duties within the National Landscape. The Management Plan will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications, with the weight to be determined by Development Management case officers. It should be noted that the Bath and North East Somerset Council Development Plan will retain primacy as the statutory basis for determining planning applications. This is a crucial point procedurally and has been outlined within the management plan.

None.

Failure to endorse and have a Management Plan in place for the Cotswolds National Landscape will leave the Council in breach of its statutory duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.