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 (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.

Decision

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.

Reasons for the decision

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.

Alternative options considered

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.