Purpose

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 within their boundaries and to review them at least every 5 years. These plans describe in more detail how the National Landscape will be protected to maintain their special character. The existing Mendip Hills National Landscape Management Plan has been reviewed by the Partnership on behalf of partner authorities (including B&NES Council) and rolled forward for the period 2025-30. The Management Plan now needs to be endorsed to be taken into account in preparing the B&NES Development Plan Documents and as a material consideration in determining planning applications.

Decision

The Cabinet Member agrees to:

Endorse the Mendip Hills National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030 as the basis for safeguarding and managing the unique beauty and distinctive character of the area 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.

Reasons for the decision

The Mendip Hills National Landscape (formerly referred to as the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is a significant local landscape which has national recognition, safeguarded by statutory designation. The National Landscape is a key resource for both residents and visitors, providing important wellbeing, health, environmental and economic benefits.

The Mendip Hills National Landscape falls within the three local authority administrative boundaries of Somerset Council, North Somerset Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council. Elected Members from each Local Authority sit on the National Landscape Partnership alongside representatives of other stakeholders. This Partnership oversees the delivery of the Management Plan.

The Management Plan has been consulted on, amended and is now being presented for approval prior to sending a copy to the Secretary of State. Under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000, local authorities are required to produce and adopt management plans for National Landscapes within their boundaries. The Act also requires local authorities to review Management Plans every five years. The purpose of the management plans is to provide a framework for coordinated management of these outstanding natural and built assets.

The provisions of Section 85 of the CROW Act also require local authorities to have regard to the conservation and enhancement of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) (now National Landscapes) when carrying out their operations and statutory duties within the AONB. To demonstrate compliance with this duty, the Management Plans should be taken into consideration, where appropriate, when determining planning applications and in drafting Local Development Documents to ensure a consistent approach to policy development and to help protect the AONBs.

Alternative options considered

Failure to approve and have a Management Plan in place for the Mendip Hills National Landscape will leave the Council in breach of its statutory duty under the CROW Act 2000. Failure to adopt/endorse the plan will undermine the Councils ability to fulfil its duties to further the purpose of conservation and enhancement of the National Landscapes when carrying out its operations and statutory duties.