Issue - meetings

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 local authorities and Conservation Boards are required to produce Management Plans for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty within their boundaries and to review them at least every 5 years, describing how the AONBs will be protected to maintain their special character. The two Management Plans are presented for Cabinet approval.

Councillor Tim Ball, in proposing the item, welcomed the two very good management plans for the Mendips and Cotswolds areas.  He said that management plans were required to protect public rights of way, landscape and habitat.  He warmly recommended the plans to Cabinet.

Councillor Paul Crossley seconded the proposal and agreed that the management plans would be critically important to protect the two important local assets.

Councillor Ben Stevens observed that the outstanding surroundings were part of Bath’s appeal to tourists and visitors.

Councillor Tim Ball summed up by warning however that the beauty of the area might be threatened by shale gas extraction and the Council would robustly defend its local landscape and habitats.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Ball, seconded by Councillor Paul Crossley, it was

RESOLVED (unanimously)

(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.