Outstanding Natural Beauty Managementplan 2018-2023

COTSWOLDS AREA OF

OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY MANAGEMENTPLAN 2018-2023

DRAFT THREE

MAY 2018

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Executive Summary should summarise (possibly as an infographic in the published version?):

• The Management Plan: what it is, why we have one and who will deliver it

• 1 Vision

• 2 purposes

• 3 key issues

• 4 ambitions

• 14 themes and outcomes

• 20 policies

The Executive Summary should also be made available as a separate document.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF POLICIES

MINISTERIAL FOREWORD

CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

MANAGEMENT PLAN - CONTEXT

MANAGEMENT PLAN – STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

MANAGEMENT PLAN - PROCESS

CHAPTER 2. SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE COTSWOLDS AONB (STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE)

CHAPTER 3. PORTRAIT OF THE COTSWOLDS AONB

CHAPTER 4. KEY ISSUES AND AMBITIONS

KEY ISSUES

AMBITIONS

CHAPTER 5. VISION AND OUTCOMES

VISION

THEMED OUTCOMES

CHAPTER 6. THEMED POLICIES

CROSS CUTTING THEMES

WORKING TOGETHER

CLIMATE CHANGE

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND NATURAL CAPITAL

CONSERVING AND ENHANCING

LANDSCAPE

LOCAL DISTINCTIVENESS

TRANQUILLITY

DARK SKIES

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

BIODIVERSITY

RURAL LAND MANAGEMENT

DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORT

INCREASING UNDERSTANDING AND ENJOYMENT

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

ACCESS AND RECREATION

HEALTH AND WELLBEING

CHAPTER 7. DELIVERY

COTSWOLDS CONSERVATION BOARD DELIVERY

STAKEHOLDER DELIVERY

APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1. COTSWOLDS AONB DESIGNATION

APPENDIX 2. NATURAL BEAUTY

APPENDIX 3. THE ‘DUTY OF REGARD’

APPENDIX 4. MANAGEMENT PLAN – BUSINESS PLAN FLOWCHART

APPENDIX 5. MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

APPENDIX 6. STAKEHOLDER DELIVERY

APPENDIX 7. MONITORING INDICATORS

LIST OF POLICIES

POLICY CC1: COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 85 OF THE COUNTRYSIDE AND RIGHTS OF WAY ACT (THE ‘DUTY OF REGARD’)

POLICY CC2: DEVELOPING A CONSISTENT, COORDINATED AND LANDSCAPE-LED APPROACH ACROSS THE AONB

POLICY CC3: WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP

POLICY CC4: CLIMATE CHANGE - MITIGATION

POLICY CC5: CLIMATE CHANGE - ADAPTATION

POLICY CC6: NATURAL CAPITAL AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES - PRINCIPLES

POLICY CC7: SOILS

POLICY CC8: WATER

POLICY CE1: LANDSCAPE

POLICY CE2: LOCAL DISTINCTIVENESS

POLICY CE3: TRANQUILLITY

POLICY CE4: DARK SKIES

POLICY CE5: HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT

POLICY CE6: BIODIVERSITY

POLICY CE7: RURAL LAND MANAGEMENT

POLICY CE8. PLANNING PRINCIPLES – ALL DEVELOPMENT

POLICY CE9. PLANNING PRINCIPLES – MAJOR DEVELOPMENT

POLICY CE10. WASTE MANAGEMENT

POLICY CE11. TRANSPORT

POLICY UE1: SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

POLICY UE2: ACCESS AND RECREATION

POLICY UE3: HEALTH AND WELLBEING

MINISTERIAL FOREWORD

CHAIRMAN’S FOREWORD

1

CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION

MANAGEMENT PLAN - CONTEXT

What is the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)?

The Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated in 1966, and extended in area in 1990. At 790 square miles, or 2038 square kilometres, it is the largest AONB - and the third largest protected landscape, including National Parks - in England. The AONB cuts across 15 local authority areas.

AONBs are landscapeswhose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation's interest to safeguard them[1]. The statutory purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance their natural beauty[2].

Each AONB has been designated for special attention by reason of its ‘special qualities’. These include the flora, fauna, historical and cultural associations as well as landscape and scenic views. Information on the ‘special qualities’ of the Cotswolds AONB is provided in Chapter 2. A ‘portrait of the AONB is provided in Chapter 3.

Further information on AONB designation is provided in Appendix 1 and information on ‘natural beauty’ is provided in Appendix 2.

What is the Cotswolds Conservation Board?

The Cotswolds Conservation Board (‘the Board’) was established by Parliament in 2004 and has two statutory purposes[3]:

1. To conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Cotswolds AONB.
2. To increase the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the Cotswolds AONB.

In fulfilling these roles, the Board has a duty to seek to foster the economic and social well-being of people living in the AONB.

In circumstances where these purposes and duties are irreconcilable, the Board must give priority to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB[4].

The Board’s work programme is administered by a small team of core staff, together with project staff who are contracted to deliver specific, time-limited projects. The Board is supported by a network of Cotswold Voluntary Wardens who deliver a programme of practical projects and guided walks across the AONB. The Board, itself, consists of 37 members, of which15 are nominated by local authorities, eight by parish councils and 14 are appointed by government.

Further information about the Board can be found on the Board’s website:

What is the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan?

The Cotswolds AONB Management Plan (‘the Management Plan’) is a statutory plan which sets out policies for the management of the AONB[5]. The purpose of the Management Plan is the same as the purposes of the Board, as outlined above.

Although the Board is the only body responsible for influencing the management of the AONB as a whole, the Board doesn’t actually own or directly manage any of the land in – or in the setting of – the AONB. As such, the management, conservation and enhancement of the AONB and the successful delivery of the Management Plan’s vision, outcomes and policies depends, primarily, on other stakeholders. Therefore, the Management Plan is intended to be used and delivered by all stakeholders who play a role in the management of their section of the AONB.

Why do we have a Cotswolds AONB Management Plan?

AONB Management Plans are a statutory requirement under Section 89 of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000[6]. The Board is the body responsible for preparing and publishing the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan and for reviewing it at intervals of no more than five years. This is the fourth such document prepared by the Board.

Who will deliver the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan?

This plan is ultimately about partnership working to make the vision a reality.

The Board will play an important role in delivering the vision, outcomes and policies of the Management Plan. However, as outlined above, their successful delivery is also dependent on other stakeholders, including local authorities and other public bodies, land owners and land managers, non-government organisations, developers, businesses and individuals.

It is a legal requirement for public bodies to have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB[7]. This legal requirement is known as the ‘duty of regard’. So, for example, local planning authorities shall have regard to this purpose when developing their Local Plans and when making decisions on planning applications. More information about the ‘duty of regard’ is provided in Appendix 3.

How will the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan be administered and resourced?

The Board’s work programme for how it will contribute to the delivery of the Management Plan is set out in the Board’s separate, rolling, three-yearBusiness Plan. The Business Plan also details the Board’s income and expenditure. Appendix 4 provides a flowchart of the links between the Management Plan and the Board’s Business Plan, which shows how the vision, outcomes and policies of the Management Plan are translated into measurable actions.

The detail of how other stakeholders administer and resource their contributions to the delivery of the Management Plan is too complex to cover in this Management Plan, particularly given that the AONB cuts across 15 local authority areas. However, the ‘Stakeholder Delivery’ table in Appendix 6 provides an indication of the key measures that the Board invites specific stakeholders to undertake in order to help deliver the Management Plan and achieve a conserved and enhanced AONB that is better understood and enjoyed.

How will the delivery of the Cotswolds AONB Management Plan be monitored?

The Board will monitor and evaluate its contribution to the delivery of the Management Plan through the quarterly and annual review of its Business Plan. The Board will also produce a ‘State of the Cotswolds AONB Report’ prior to each Management Plan review, which will help to gauge progress towards achieving the Management Plan vision.

The Board will endeavour to monitor ‘headline indicators’ relating to the ‘Stakeholder Delivery’ table in Appendix 6. The Board will also endeavour to monitor compliance with the ‘duty of regard’ (see Appendix 3).

Appendix 7 shows the key indicators that will be used to monitor the delivery of the Management Plan.

MANAGEMENT PLAN –STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

The Management Plan is structured as outlined below:

• Introduction
• Portrait of the Cotswolds AONB
• Key Issues and Ambitions
• Vision and Outcomes
• Issues and Policies
• Delivery

Brief information on the content of each section to be added.

MANAGEMENT PLAN - PROCESS

Need to outline the Management Process to-date and through to adoption (and delivery), including SEA and HRA.

CHAPTER 2. SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE COTSWOLDS AONB (STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE)

The ‘special qualities’ of an AONB are the key attributes for which it the AONB is considered to be important and on which the priorities for its conservation, enhancement and management should be based. They bring out the essence of the AONB as an evocative description of the area rather than as a statistical account.

THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE COTSWOLDS AONB – STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE
The Cotswolds are a rich mosaic of historical, social, economic, cultural, geological, geomorphological[8] and ecological features. The special qualities of the Cotswolds are:

• the unifying character of the limestone geology – its visible presence in the landscape and use as a building material;
• the Cotswold escarpment, including views from and to the AONB;
• the high wolds – a large open, elevated predominately arable landscape with commons, ‘big’ skies and long-distance views;
• river valleys, the majority forming the headwaters of the Thames, with high-quality water;
• distinctive dry stone walls;
• internationally important flower-rich grasslands, particularly limestone grasslands;
• internationally important ancient broadleaved woodland, particularly along the crest of the escarpment;
• variations in the colour of the stone from one part of the AONB to another which add a vital element of local distinctiveness;
• the tranquillity[9] of the area;
• dark sky areas;
• distinctive settlements, developed in the Cotswold vernacular, high architectural quality and integrity; an accessible landscape for quiet recreation for both rural and urban users, with numerous walking and riding routes;
• historic associations dating back 6,000 years, and characterised by significant legacies such as those of the medieval wool churches and historic trails;
• cultural associations such as the Arts and Crafts movement of the 19th and 20th centuries, famous composers and authors and traditional events such as the Cotswolds Olympicks, cheese rolling and woolsack races.

CHAPTER 3. PORTRAIT OF THE COTSWOLDS AONB

Landscape

The Cotswolds is an asset of national importance, recognised by its designation as an AONB. It is an area shaped by its geology and thousands of years of human activity resulting in a unique landscape of remarkable visual unity and scenic diversity. Many features of the Cotswolds evoke strong images, particularly the dramatic escarpment and expansive high wolds, the network of dry stone walls, the beech woods, the secluded valleys, open common land, a distinctive local vernacular, and the wild flower rich grasslands.

Landscape is not static and changes over time. Such change is often perceived as slow or non-existent, but when a view or place is compared to its earlier self, even over a comparatively short time span, the change can be dramatic.

Since designation in 1966 much has changed in the Cotswolds. This change has been driven, and will continue to be so, to a large extent by technological advances in agriculture, increasing commodity prices and demand, population growth and migration and changes in employment and communications. Government policy and financial support have had an influence on all these factors. To retain the characteristics that define the Cotswolds, landscape change needs to be managed and guided.

Biodiversity

The AONB has rich and diverse habitats, which support a myriad of wildlife. This particular mix of wildlife is unique, resulting from the underlying geology and past land management practices. The Cotswolds retains a significant number of important habitats and species which are in decline elsewhere. A large number of species, many of them rare and found only on limestone or calcareous soils continue to survive here, particularly wild plants, bats and insects. The AONB contains many sites designated for their biodiversity, including five Special Areas of Conservation, three National Nature Reserves, two Nature Improvement Areas, 89 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and an extensive number of Local Wildlife Sites.

Cultural heritage

The built environment reflects the cultural heritage and ranges from dispersed farmsteads, hamlets and villages to larger market towns that have evolved as centres for trade over thousands of years. The Cotswolds has come to be recognised as the quintessential pre-industrial English landscape. This notion was strongly expressed through the Arts and Crafts movement in the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries and continues today in the cultural life of the AONB.

Historic environment

Shaped by more than 5,000 years of human activity, the AONB contains a wealth of archaeological sites and historic buildings set within a distinctive historic landscape. This includes the World Heritage Sites at Bath and Blenheim Park which abuts the AONB boundary. Added to this are numerous Registered Parks and Gardens, Listed Buildings, ancient tracks, and historic pathways and routes. The AONB designation recognises the importance of this heritage and reinforces the need to protect and manage characteristic features. However, these resources are also fragile, vulnerable to insensitive change and irreplaceable.

Development

The Cotswolds AONB has many settlements, sites and features of rich cultural interest. The character of buildings and settlements within the AONB exhibit subtle variations, with a strong vernacular building style. Building materials reflect local geology and traditions, contributing to the unique Cotswolds landscape character.

Planning legislation affords the highest level of protection to AONBs. Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 places a duty on all public bodies and statutory undertakers to ‘have regard’ to the ‘purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area of outstanding natural beauty.’ National planning policy gives the conservation of landscape and scenic beauty in an AONB a particular enhanced status, notably in footnote 9 to paragraph 14, paragraph 109 as well as paragraphs 115 and 116 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

The scale of development required to provide housing, employment and services to an expanding and ageing population will be considerable and the pressure to develop land within and around the AONB, especially where local planning authorities do not have an agreed five year housing supply, will remain significant. This is of particular concern as the AONB is surrounded by larger towns and cities, all of which are expected to accommodate significant housing and employment development in the next 20 years which could have both positive and negative impacts on the AONB.

Transport

The Cotswolds is easily accessible via the road network including motorways and other high speed roads running through, and close to, the AONB. This provides easy access for tourists, those commuting in and out of the Cotswolds to work, whilst also providing ‘short cuts’ between surrounding motorways which serve major cities. The roads and lanes of the Cotswolds can serve to raise awareness and foster greater appreciation of the AONB as people pass through with many offering views of the landscape, lined with verges rich in wildflowers. However, increasing traffic volume and vehicle sizes is resulting in greater air and noise pollution as well as detrimental impacts on tranquillity, roadside verges, drainage and non-motorised users travelling on foot, by bike or on horse. Four railway lines serve the AONB providing good access to and from all parts of the UK. Major international airports of Bristol, Birmingham and Heathrow, the military airports of Fairford and Brize Norton and the more local Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Cotswolds airports have both positive and negative impacts on the Cotswolds.

Perceptions, combined with the actual provision of public transport, discourage its wider use. Infrequency and reducing levels of services, long journey times, poor reliability, uncoordinated connections, information and ticketing, difficulty of access to the network and low standards of comfort are issues to be addressed.

Economy

The economy varies across the AONB, in terms of type of business, economic activity and prosperity. The local economy is focused upon a number of key sectors. The high quality of the natural and built environment underpins the valuable Cotswolds tourism and recreation industry. Farming and forestry will continue to play an important, albeit changing role with the UKs plans to exit from the EU.

Both positive and negative effects are associated with AONB designation. The businesses most likely to benefit from being located in the AONB include tourism businesses (e.g. accommodation, food and drink serving, visitor attractions), tourism-related businesses (e.g. retail, diversified farm businesses, transport), farm businesses, countryside trades (e.g. walling) and businesses which benefit from the quality of the brand or the environment (e.g. creative/new media businesses).

The businesses most likely to be disadvantaged from an AONB location include large industrial activities, haulage, and businesses which develop and grow rapidly. The expansion of these businesses will be appropriately managed through development decisions in line with national and local (including neighbourhood) planning policies relating to the AONB.