Decision details

The two management Plans were referred to Cabinet by the Mendip Hills Partnership and the Cotswolds Conservation Board respectively.

(1) To APPROVE the Mendip Hills AONB Management Plan 2014 – 2019 as the basis for safeguarding and managing the unique beauty and distinctive character of the AONB and to be taken into account in the preparation of the Council’s Local Development documents and in the determination of planning applications; and

(2) To ENDORSE the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan 2013 – 2018 as the basis for safeguarding and managing the unique beauty and distinctive character of the AONB and to be taken into account in the preparation of the Council’s Local Development documents and in the determination of planning applications.

The adoption of a Management Plan for the Mendips Hills AONB is a statutory requirement to meet the Council’s duty under the CROW Act 2000.

The endorsement of a Management Plan for the Cotswolds AONB enables the Council to fulfil its duties under the provisions of Section 85 of the CROW Act for local authorities to have regard to the conservation and enhancement of the AONB when carrying out their operations and statutory duties within the AONB.

The objectives within both plans support the priorities of this Council and also enable the Council to benefit from shared resources and access to external funding to deliver action on the ground to safeguarding and managing the unique beauty and distinctive character of these AONBs.

Failure to approve and have a Management Plan in place for the Mendip Hills AONB will leave the Council in breach of its statutory duty under the CROW Act 2000. Failure to adopt/endorse these two plans will undermine the Council ability to fulfil its duties to have regard to the conservation and enhancement of AONBs when carrying out its operations and statutory duties within both AONBs.