AONB Management Plan

AONB Management Plan

The Management Plan mainly deals with land management/community issues and is a series of practical ideas to guide the AONB into the future. It encourages positive action to look after the landscape, wildlife, historical and cultural heritage of the AONB, whilst also recognising the importance of a healthy rural economy. In addition it helps people to enjoy the area and to solve problems where conflicts exist.

The Management Plan is not concerned directly with planning issues. These are dealt with by regional planning guidance and the various Local Development Frameworks prepared by the Local Authorities. They are the main documents that guide planning decisions in the AONB.

The Management Plan is a statutory plan that complements the Local Authority Plans and provides an agreed approach to looking after the area. Nothing in the Plan is compulsory however - action will only take place through partnership and co-operation.

The Plan is prepared on behalf of the three Local Authorities by the AONB Joint Advisory Committee, which represents farming, conservation, community, recreation and Local Authority interests. This Committee acts as a focus for putting the Plan into action.

The Management Plan discusses various issues affecting the AONB. It sets out recommendations and makes a number of proposals. The current Management Plan was published in July 2004, following consultation with interested organisations and local people. For a copy of the Management Plan please contact Paul Jackson at the AONB Unit.


The Management Plan is currently undergoing its first 5-year review. The timetable is as follows:

May-June 2008 ~ Topic Groups to discuss individual chapters/topic areas.

May-June 2008 ~ Community events, to update knowledge on community aspirations.

July-October 2008 ~ Preparing the new Management Plan.

July 2008 ~ Completion of the Scoping Report stage of the Strategic Environmental Assessment process.
SEA Scoping Report (1.05 mb)
Appendix 1 (265 kb)
Appendix 2 (231 kb)
Appendix 3 (17.5 kb)
Appendix 4 (172 kb)

November-December 2008 ~ Public consultation on the draft new Plan and the Environmental Report of the Strategic Environmental Assessment.

January-February 2009 ~ Amendments to the draft Plan, in light of comments received.

March 2009 ~ Adoption of the new Plan.

A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being carried out as part of the process of preparing the new Plan, as required by EU legislation.


Current 2004 - 2009 AONB Management Plan

Introduction (436 kb)

The Vision (86 kb)

A Rich Heritage (2.68 mb)

Living & Working in the Howardian Hills (1.74 mb)

Enjoying the AONB (963 kb)

Future Local Management Priorities (115 kb)

Action Programme (173 kb)

AONB Management Plan STI Booklet (513 kb)

References & Acknowledgments (65 kb)