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EAST

East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership ANNUAL REVIEW 2018 / 19 2Seaton Wetlands Countrysideaonb annual annual review 2018/19review 2014 / 15 3

EAST DEVON

Front cover image: Branscombe Right: East Hill Strips Back page: Harvest time,

CONTENTS

4 Foreword 6 Landscape and heritage 10 Environmental quality and climate 14 Biodiversity 18 Coast 20 Farming and land management 22 Access, recreation and tourism 24 Planning and development 28 Rural economy and services 30 Community and culture 32 Communication, awareness - - KEEP UP TO DATE and engagement Sign up to our quarterly newsletter 34 Management and finances on the homepage of our website 37 About East Devon AONB eastdevonaonb.org.uk 40 Partners Follow East Devon AONB on Twitter @eastdevonAONB

CONTACT THE AONB

Phone 01404 46663 Email [email protected] Write / East Devon AONB Partnership visit Kennaway House, Coburg Road , EX10 8NG 4 aonb annual review 2018/19 Chairmans foreword 5

CHAIRMAN'S

FOREWORD Ladram Bay

Our work with local This Annual Review provides our role in conserving and The Glover review of a brief snapshot of the work enhancing our landscape and communities has been exemplified through the designated landscapes of the AONB Partnership and biodiversity has never been more will undoubtedly present team over the last financial relevant. The delivery of the HLF Lottery-funded Legacy to Landscape project and our challenges, but I am year, working with our partners funded Devon Greater Horseshoe sure there will also be on environmental, community Bat Project with project managers partnership with the Thelma Cllr Graham Godbeer Hulbert Gallery (THG) on the opportunities for AONBs. Chairman, East Devon and rural economy projects and Devon Wildlife Trust and our In my final year as Chairman activities across the AONB. engagement in the River Otter and wider areas AONB Partnership of the AONB. These projects have I look forward to a future The Making it Local (MIL) Beaver Project are key areas of where those opportunities EU rural development funding activity, alongside our support engaged people in the countryside through art and conservation are fully exploited, and the programme for East Devon and to community projects via the Partnership is appropriately AONBs will Sustainable Development Fund. activity, enhancing understanding, EASTappreciation andDEVON well-being. supported by its local be effectively complete by the We are also developing authorities to enable it to time this Review is in print. partnerships to help protect The creative relationship with THG is developing positive continue to play a key role The programme has been a key our trees and woodlands, in this special landscape. support mechanism for our rural such a fundamental component opportunities for both economy and whatever your views of East Devon’s landscape character organisations and we look are on the EU, it has clearly had a and bolster against the impacts of forward to further developments significant impact on businesses Ash dieback disease. over the coming years. and communities in the area. Our Farm Facilitation Our Defra funding agreement, COMMITTED TO A vacuum remains in its wake programme is encouraging so critical to our success in as there is no clear succession collaboration between farmers in delivery, ends in March 2020 CONSERVING AND programme to follow this hugely the management of the countryside and the team and the National successful investment in the and we have delivered a range of Association are working hard PROUD OF ITS AONBs as a result of our status events and workshops this year to ensure the AONBs are well ENHANCING OUR with Brexit. to support this, alongside our placed to assist in delivering the TOP PERFORMING At a time when species collaboration with the Princes Farm government’s 25 year Environment LANDSCAPE extinction and climate change Resilience Programme on behalf of Plan through our recently revised DELIVERY is so high in the public profile, the Princes Countryside Fund. AONB Partnership Plan. 6 aonb annual review 2018/19 Landscape and heritage 7

LANDSCAPE Legacy to Landscape collecting of seed from the rare Heath The Legacy to Landscape project (L2L) Lobelia and planting Devon apple varieties, entered its final year and thanks in large including the Crimson Victoria which part to our enthusiastic project co-ordinator, originates from Shute. We also assisted with AND HERITAGE Ruth Worsley, and the excellent support of an event at Shute Church, where volunteers our local partners, the project has engaged collected together a staggering 83 varieties Improved coordination and influence a diverse range of people in and around the of local apple to help orchard owners in the management of the distinctive historic Shute Estate and Coly valley. identify the trees in their orchards. Once again we have held a wide range of The project was largely funded by the landscape and historic environment activities looking at the heritage of the area. Heritage Lottery Fund and over the three features of the AONB, to ensure they We use a wide definition of heritage, which years engaged with over 4000 people at included discovering ancient documents in 142 different events. We have ambitions to are maintained, enhanced, understood archives and transcribing them, following continue the fantastic activity the project and appreciated. the route of the proposed, but never built, has inspired and are working with partners Colyton Canal and a demonstration by to see if we can develop a new dimension ENGAGED A Colyton’s own wheelwright. Wildlife is also that will attract external funding for a included so we visited wildflower meadows, further 3 years. tracked dragonfly’s and damselfly’s down For more information visit DIVERSE RANGE the river and learnt all about the grey www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk long eared bat. Our volunteers also helped /our-work/wildlife/legacy-to-landscape OF PEOPLE enhance their environment through the

Seeing how it’s done, Colyton’s Greg Rowland Wheelwright for the Queen demonstrates. Photo: Helene Buse

Volunteers spreading mulch around King John’s Oak to retain soil moisture. 8 aonb annual review 2018/19 Landscape and heritage 9

Ash Dieback Ash trees hold a strong cultural, landscape and wildlife place in the UK. Home to almost 1000 species and a highly valued wood for tools and furniture, the importance of our ash woodlands has been calculated annually at over £230m in social and environmental value. Of England’s 10.2% woodland cover in total, 12% is Ash. East Devon AONB, with 18% woodland cover, has around 22% Ash and so Ash Dieback will inevitably hit the AONB hard. In many East Devon woodlands, lime and field maple, oak or aspen may fill the ecological and landscape gap left by ash. In urban or parkland locations, Woodbury Castle (Steve Bennett) sycamore may provide a similar function. For silviculture, we may struggle to find broadleaved species that resist squirrel damage as well as ash, so Ancient Ash tree, Roncombe valley AONB Heritage we may need to be open to the idea of more softwoods like Douglas fir or Scots Conference pine, which can provide an income and An established feature in the AONB carbon storage, protection from soil calendar, the AONB Heritage Conference erosion and still offer ecological benefits event continues to attract a diverse range when compared with some alternative The Devon Ash Dieback Forum (to of knowledgeable and stimulating speakers habitats. Whatever our objectives, we which East Devon AONB belongs) has who serve to raise awareness of the rich need to be planning and planting now to produced a set of useful leaflets covering heritage of the AONB and beyond. The mitigate the impact of the disease. the disease, the importance of ash trees conference, supported by Devon County Since 2012 government has invested and choosing alternative species. They Heritage Council, promotes and raises awareness over £6 million in research to protect ash are promoting the Devon formula of Conference of the heritage of the AONB and wider from pest and disease threats. As well 3-2-1: for every large ash tree removed, flyer areas, as well as promoting action for as basic research into the biology and three should be replanted to replace

the historic environment. pathology of the disease, scientists have it, for a medium tree, replace with two Programme

09.30 - 10.00 REGISTRATION

10.00 - 10.10 Chris Woodruff (East Devon AONB Partnership) Opening remarks This year’s conference theme, ‘Art, trees and for small trees, replace one for sequenced the ash genome and the Ash 10.10 - 11.00 Prof. Robin McInnes (Visiting Professor, Univ. of Southampton) Using

Historical Imagery in Support of Coastal Management and Planning in Devon

11.00 - 11.30 Coffee/tea Literature and the Historic Landscape’ Dieback fungus. Good progress has been one. Devon Wildlife Trust are taking 11.30 - 12.15 (Univ. of Lincoln) A spacious horizon is an image of liberty: Dr Ian Waites Artistic representations of the English common field landscape, 1720-1830 12.15 - 13.00 Patrick Dillon (Emeritus Prof. Univ.) Marking Place: Enduring inscriptions and persuasive maps explored the relationship between art forward a project called Saving Devon’s 13.00 - 13.45 Lunch provided made in screening for tolerant trees and

Hutchinson water colour showing a pre-enclosure Hill 13.45 -14.10 John Torrance (The Branscombe Project) Poem and Place, the Case of East Devon Art, literature and the historic landscape in East Devon Peter Orlando Hutchinson’s watercolours depicting an unenclosed Salcombe Hill, 14.10 -14.35 Nigel Hyman (Sidmouth Museum) Sidmouth and its surroundings and our landscapes, touching on the conserving the genetic diversity of our Treescapes, supported by East Devon coupled with Cornish’s nostalgic descriptions* of post-enclosure Salcombe Hill only half through the eyes of literary residents and visitors a century later, illustrates the important contribution of pictorial depictions and literary 14.35 -15.00 Volkhardt Müller (East Devon Way Art project) Inside the picture – Landscape art between observation and intervention descriptions to our understanding of the historic landscape and changing patterns of land- use in East Devon. Today much of Salcombe Hill has been transformed yet again to 15.00 - 15.15 Short break

become what many people assume to be woodland of some antiquity. role of historic imagery in modern AONB, to encourage everyone to get 15.15 - 15.40 (Wyvern Heritage) Heywood Sumner and the synergy of art native ash trees. The first planting of Emma Rouse Adding another layer of narrative to the mix, archaeologists and historians contribute and archaeology their own depictions and literary descriptions in the course of their work. One only has 15.40 - 16.05 Chris Scoble (Biographer) Stephen Reynolds and the landscape of the East to think of the Lees Cottage excavation report (East Devon AONB, 2013) Devon fishing industry with its rich reconstructions drawings and accompanying poem by a local historian. 16.05 - 16.30 Barbara Farquharson (The Branscombe Project) Closing planning and coastal management, tolerant ash trees will take place in 2020 involved with celebrating Ash in our Artistic depictions and literary descriptions do more than monitor historic change; their remarks/questions necessarily and avowedly subjective nature also provides a mirror for our own changing identities and sensibilities.

As has become the norm in our conferences – and this is our 11th consecutive year, we Booking Form and payment – note early bird discount the connection between poetry and and these trees may allow us to develop landscape, and planting replacement once again present you with a mix of local studies and broader presentations to Please enclose a cheque made payable to “East Devon District Council” for the contextualise our theme.

early bird sum of £18 per person if received by 28 Feb. Fee £20 thereafter.

*“Partridges were plentiful then, for nearly all the red marl on the west side of Salcombe Hill was under the Name plough and much of the poor light land on the hilltop, while further east and north where the hilltop clay is Address/postcode our experiences of landscape, and the seed orchards of tolerant trees. trees for the future. deeper there were few grass fields. So the partridges reared fine broods on the hillsides and the light land ….. And the country was far more interesting, for there was the change of crops, wheat, barley, oats, rye-grass, fallow, mangolds, turnips, where now we find only one or two arable fields to six or eight of grass. It seems Email strange to me now to look at a steep hillside covered with bracken or even gorse and brambles, and to think how I saw oats being sown by hand on it and the carter standing at a perilous angle to harrow in the grain.” Please contact us is you have any special needs/access requirements use of art as an engagement tool for Cornish, J. G. Reminiscences of Country Life, London, Country Life, 1939, p.131. Please note booking fee is non-returnable once processed. Overleaf >> dietary choices exploring the landscape. 10 aonb annual review 2018/19 Environmental quality and climate 11 ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND CLIMATE The sustainable management of the natural resources of the AONB.

East Devon Catchment Delegates shared their knowledge and success stories and came up with Partnership fresh ideas for collaborative projects. The Catchment Communities Conference, There were three workshops identifying Leaky dams are being installed through the NFM project on Friday 19 October 2018, brought together the big issues affecting our catchments, to slow the flow. community representatives, land owners exploring solutions together and and managers, as well as practitioners from networking to forge alliances. the East Devon Catchment Partnership, with Following the conference, some of Woods for Water The W4W programme has created 5 a view to working together for the future the delegates took part in an hour-long and Natural Flood woodland schemes, 3 small planting areas health of the river catchments of the Axe tour of the grounds of Deer Park Country and 5 SuDS totalling around £60k of funding (including Yarty), Otter, Culm and Clyst. House and the River Otter. Management (NFM) investment in the East Devon catchments. In addition, six farms have installed SuDS Neil Parish MP gave the key note The passion, drive and enthusiasm of The Woods for Water project is being measures under the NFM programme, with speech, setting the context for East the delegates was very clear on the day. coordinated across the rivers Axe and Otter 47 leaky dams (large woody, brash, flow Devon catchments and highlighting Delegates were keen to focus on ways by the Blackdown Hills AONB with East spreaders), 2 watercourse crossings, 609m the opportunities to work together in of working together to drive existing Devon AONB. Links have been developed watercourse fencing and a cross drain. partnership. A range of interest groups projects and initiatives forward and with flood team to including farmers, farm advisory projects, develop new projects, including those led fund Natural Flood Management actions community action groups, species recovery by individual communities or developed in key sub-catchments. projects and angling groups, spoke about through the East Devon Catchment The main purpose of the Woods for the great examples of the breadth of Partnership (who hosted the conference). Water (W4W) programme is to stimulate projects and action already underway woodland planting and management in our catchments. that will benefit water bodies suffering from phosphate and sediment problems. A secondary element of the project is to apply SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) measures in existing woodlands and proposed planting areas that are outside the scope of Countryside Stewardship. The emphasis is on new woodland and tree planting under Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant or others e.g. Woodland Trust. The project has focused on those parts of the Otter & Axe catchments that are most failing Water Framework Directive (WFD) water quality targets. It has also sought to link to the NFM project by targeting those sub-catchments upstream of settlements that have a significant number of properties at risk; namely the Coly and Corry. 12 aonb annual review 2018/19 13

Ash firewood

Woods to woodfuel This year, with support from the potentially large investments in what Forestry Commission, we undertook a may be long-term returns. joint review with the Blackdown Hills • Many woodland owners would consider AONB on the opportunities and barriers the involvement of community wood- to supporting the effective management fuel and/or conservation groups to of woodlands and their potential as assist in management. a resource for woodfuel. The review • Local wood processors would be willing carried out visits to a range of farms and to utilise local sources, but larger land-holdings across the AONBs companies require higher quality and found the following headline issues: timber than is available and a reliability • Environmental and ecological reasons of supply that could not be met locally. appeared to be one of the primary Imported timber is often pre-treated, motivations. Financial return was highly milled, of high quality and cheaper rated by some, but was a lesser factor for than local suppliers. owners of recreational woodland and a • Smaller companies are interested in charitable Woodland Trust. Improving smaller loads but have specific species amenity and farmland diversity were requirements. also recognised drivers. • There are viable opportunities to create • Barriers included accessibility (especially employment in arboreal management gradient and soil conditions), lack of and to develop a practical skills base in woodland infrastructure, abstraction all aspects of woodland, forestry and (size of timber, lack of abstraction timber management. points), poor quality of timber, safety • There is a general view that while the factors around some stands and demand present timber economy is buoyant, for specific tree species. that local woods remain very much on • There was a general concern over grant the margin of economic viability and aid in relation to the complexity of that quality and supply are such that applications; a sense that it is primarily it may take a significant period of time for start-up schemes and seemed and economic and social investment to not to assist in continuation and bring them into secured viability. consolidation. It was also evident that If you have a small woodland that the degree of uncertainty around the you would like some advice on, contact future of subsidies and the agricultural the AONB team. economy in general, combined to make landowners more reticent to make 14 aonb annual review 2018/19 Biodiversity 15

MYTH-BUSTING BIODIVERSITY FACTS IS A VERY The conservation and enhancement IMPORTANT PART of the biodiversity and geological assets of the AONB. OF ADDRESSING CONCERNS

River Otter Beaver Trial As they colonise new areas of the catchment, the opportunities to The five-year River Otter Beaver Trial study impacts and interactions (ROBT) is now entering its final year, and with existing land-use and river the emphasis is on the completion of the users are increasing. Where issues research work, and the development of the are raised, often through the outputs for government. The population ‘beaver hotline’ email address, a size of beavers on the River Otter is rapid response is provided, with becoming increasingly difficult to assess advice and support to resolve any accurately, but the most recent winter impacts. Where concerns about survey combined with trapping data from beaver feeding on large trees are 2019 identified seven breeding pairs, and raised, fencing and sandy paint a further six locations where a focus on are being used to protect those feeding behaviour suggests one or more trees. Riverside orchards are high resident animals may be holding a territory. risk areas and proactive work with With many young animals in the population, orchard owners/tree nurseries there are likely to be a number of singletons is ongoing. in this second category. A Protocol for Passage A second beaver mortality was detected Assessment of Beaver Dams (The in 2018/19, and the body recovered from PAD Protocol) has been developed Chesil Beach. Although it was confirmed as to guide the manipulation of beaver originating from the River Otter, the body dams to aid fish passage during the was too decomposed to provide any useful autumn fish migration season. information. The astonishing levels of interest The ROBT Steering Group are preparing in beavers and their ecology and for scenarios where the beavers are management continues to generate permitted to remain on the river beyond a large number of opportunities to the end of the trial and are producing a speak to stakeholder groups and Beaver Management Strategy Framework provide information. A further 90 that outlines how beavers could be managed beaver events/presentations were in the River Otter. This will be published in provided in 2018/19, engaging with summer 2019. As part of the preparations around 4,000 people. This brings for scenarios where beavers are permitted the total for the whole Trial to 352 to remain in the wild on the River Otter, events and approximately 16,000 the stakeholder engagement work has people. Many of the presentation become particularly focused on those attendees come with genuine key stakeholders that may have a role in questions and concerns - the the future management of beavers and provision of accurate information their effects. and ‘myth-busting facts’ is a very important part of addressing these concerns.

Some signs of beaver activity are obvious! 16 aonb annual review 2018/19 Biodiversity 17

Devon Greater Local people have really helped the project Horseshoe and got behind the Bat project Devon Bat Survey. They have placed bat A partnership of 17 organisations detectors in a hedge or including fellow AONB’s and orchard and left them conservation bodies have been busy for 4 nights to count the delivering this county wide £2m bat calls whilst you sleep. Heritage Lottery Funded project. This has helped to build Lead partner Devon Wildlife Trust up our knowledge of the deliver the five year initiative that presence of the 17 species will develop policy, work with of British bats across landowners, provide advice, inform Devon and the AONB. people about the bats, deliver education programmes and create habitat improvements across Devon. During the year the project has worked with Farway, Branscombe and Beer Primary Schools and Millwater School; the project has Bat Buddy Awards which the schools work towards, with Millwater School receiving a gold award this year. With Partners they have organised hedge planting and laying so volunteers can help to improve bat commuter routes through the countryside. They have also organised a number of bat walks to show how the bats use the countryside to feed and travel and how conservation work for the bats Farway Primary School learn about also benefits other rare species by bat predators. (Helen Parr) enhancing connectivity and improving the quality of the habitat. For real night owls, bat emergence talks have been organised outside a roost giving people Bat Friendly Beer, an initiative to celebrate that a chance to see and count the bats at the community has these rare creatures in their dusk as they come out to feed. parish, has gone from strength to strength with several talks and events being organised by the community and supported by local businesses.

Setting up a bat detector 18 aonb annual review 2018/19 Coast 19

COAST Beach management plans Last year we reported on AONB involvement The conservation and in beach management plans at Seaton and Sidmouth. With regular cliff falls at the eastern enhancement of the high end of the Sidmouth seafront there remain quality and internationally anxieties around the impact and erosion levels of the coastline. significant coastline At Sidmouth, a draft outline business case has now been produced for an additional rock groyne to the East of the town to help retain a beach in front of the cliffs there, and the replenishment of IMPACT AND the town beach as well as raising of the splashwall along the back of the esplanade to manage the risk to flooding to the town. At present, there is EROSION LEVELS Trust considers all audiences living, working a shortfall in the funding required to be provided and visiting the coast and how all locally and East Devon are in discussions with OF THE COASTLINE In the past two years, from transition various organisations to seek to address this. from Local Authority structure to partners can tailor communication to capacity build and achieve outcomes. In Seaton, the plans are to improve the an independent charitable trust, The existing concrete and rock revetments and a Jurassic Coast Trust has established The new membership scheme continues to grow and has been draft outline business case has been produced. a baseline of sustainable income that Unfortunately, due to the relatively low number has enabled the creation of exciting successful in securing funding to deliver new projects, such as the Jurassic Coast of properties benefiting from any proposed new projects that closely align to changes, funding is unlikely to be available organisational aims. Volunteer Network, which aims to build passion and skills for a new generation within the current Environment Agency The Trust was delighted to be one of programme. Again, additional partnership the partners responsible for bringing of volunteers. The Trust is currently creating the funding is likely to be required to get approval Dippy to Dorset and creating the for the project. Natural History Adventure outreach new 5 year Partnership Plan for the programme, which engaged over 20,000 Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, visitors, schools and local communities in consultation with a wide range of along the breadth of the Jurassic Coast. stakeholders and partners; this will The Trust has created key pieces of articulate the vision and mission for work, which have become resources collaborative working to achieve core for delivery partners across the coast, aims, as identified by partners. including the Jurassic Coast Story Book and the Learning Framework, which

THE NEW MEMBERSHIP SCHEME CONTINUES TO GROW Sidmouth seafront 20 aonb annual review 2018/19 Farming and land management 21 FARMING AND

LAND MANAGEMENT Princes The Programme structure Countryside Fund – comprises of a series of group a sustainable farming and land workshops and one-on-one Farm Resilience meetings with local co-ordinators. management sector that helps A key feature of the programme is Programme the Business Health Check Tool; conserve and enhance the East Devon AONB Partnership is an entry-level benchmarking tool character of the AONB delighted to be partnering with designed to demonstrate the benefits The Prince’s Countryside Fund to of improved record keeping on farm, deliver The Prince’s Farm Resilience and allow anonymised comparison Programme, with support from the against similar businesses. EDDC’s East Devon Business Centre, The initial 5 workshops were . delivered in 2017-18 then during The aim of the programme is to the summer of 2018 we carried out support family farm businesses to on-farm visits to help the families improve their confidence, efficiency develop their farm action plans. and resilience. An added bonus of There were then two final workshops the programme is that it brings one focused on succession planning together like minded small-to-medium and the final event looking at farm sized family farm enterprises in diversification and making better use local networks, to help them review of redundant farm buildings. their current activity and identify Further details can be found at opportunities and improvements Looking at the www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/ benefits of mixing that can be made on-farm to build farmresilience chicory, bird’s-foot resilience, and to help sustain a trefoil and other diverse farming sector in the UK. herbs with grasses.

East Devon Farmers our alternative forage crop trials proved very timely and generated much interest, being Group - farm facilitation a highly visible field of green in a parched The Countryside Stewardship (CS) landscape. This mix of grasses and herbs roots facilitation fund supports people and more deeply in the soil so can access moisture organisations that bring farmers, foresters, and nutrients not available to pure grass mixes. and other land managers together to The Group submitted 11 applications for improve the local natural environment Countryside Stewardship grants for assistance at a landscape scale. It builds on the with enhancing the environment and landscape principles of partnership working to deliver of the AONB. environmental benefits supported through We have also expanded the support we earlier farmer-led Nature Improvement give these farmers and have helped organise a BUILD RESILIENCE Areas (NIAs) and farmer clusters. farm safety day and a book keeping course for Our East Devon Farmers Group, now members and have connected them with other consists of over 60 farms, sitting in the training opportunities being offered AND HELP heart of the AONB, and we are delivering locally, including IT skill development run the initiative with FWAG SW and the by Cosmic and Business Advice supplied by SUSTAIN A DIVERSE Devon Greater Horseshoe bat project, East Devon District Council through B.I.P. as joint advisors. For further details contact The Group meets roughly monthly Pete Youngman at 01404 310012 or FARMING SECTOR Resilience programme depending upon the challenges of the [email protected] family farm members farming calendar. With the hot dry summer 22 aonb annual review 2018/19 Access, recreation and tourism 23 ACCESS, RECREATION AND TOURISM A sustainable access, recreation and tourism sector that is in keeping with AONB purposes and does not harm the conservation of natural beauty or the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses.

East Devon Way This long-distance walking route Hutchinson, who painted many well- through the heart of the AONB is a key known East Devon scenes. The artists area of work for the team and this year will work with coastal communities, we have been focussing on improving schools, Sidmouth Museum and our website presence and making boatbuilder/storyteller Gail McGarva. further enhancements to the routing, Gail will use her Story Boat to in particular on the pebblebed heaths. bring to life the heritage of East In addition, we have partnered up with Devon coastal communities, including the Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) Beer and Sidmouth, through creative in Honiton to deliver an art-based writing, music, visual art and craft. engagement programme on the route, The Sidmouth and East Devon which was part of an exhibition we held Walking Festival, encompassing the alongside our 2018 Annual Meeting. East Devon Way, continues to grow and Art on the East Devon Way focused had another successful year in 2018. on engaging a diverse range of people The East Devon Way provides a focal on the route, including primary and point for this now well-established special school students, through the event and walkers will have the medium of art. A series of events opportunity to complete the whole were delivered across summer 2018. route through 4 stage walks across the Our positive partnership with Emma festival period. Molony and Anna Aroussi at the THG The festival will take place 22-27 secured funding from Defra/AONB, September 2019. For further details see Tesco, Northbrook Community Fund, www.visitsidmouth.co.uk/sidmouth- Parishes together Fund and the Arts events/sidmouth-walking-festival Council. The success of the collaboration with THG has led on to a successor project which will get underway in 2019. ‘Tree to Sea’, involving contemporary art and artists, revisits the work of local 2019 WALKING FESTIVAL Victorian antiquarian Peter Orlando Art on the East 22-27 SEPT Devon Way 24 aonb annual review 2018/19 Planning and development 25 PLANNING AND East Devon and Blackdown Hills Landscape Character Assessment 2019 2.0 THE DEVON-WIDE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT Planning development and policy protects the special landscape character and tranquillity of the AONB and will enable appropriate forms of social and economic development that are compatible with the landscape, so conserving and enhancing the environment East Devon and Blackdown Hills Landscape Character Assessment 2019 2.0 THE DEVON-WIDE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

Landscape character Through the AONB team, the AONB Partnership continues to respond to planning consultations, where resources allow, under a protocol with the local planning authorities. Although not a statutory consultee, our involvement often involves consultation with the statutory consultee for AONBs, Natural England and we use the landscape character assessment models available at National, County and District scale to frame our responses. The District Council wide landscape character assessment for East Devon (including both AONBs) was revised across 2018-19, updating the assessment model in line with the broader County level assessment and following nationally accepted protocols. Over the last 20 years or so, the landscape character assessment model has become much more embedded in the planning process and an integral part of medium to large scale development proposals across rural areas. The revised assessment will be incorporated into future consultation responses from the AONB and serve to guide strategic approaches to landscape management across the area. 15 Landscape character map of East Devon including all of the Blackdown Hills 15 AONB into Somerset 26 aonb annual review 2018/19 27

Julian Glover and Sarah Mukherjee (right) visiting Dorset AONB and the Jurassic Coast.

AONB Partnership Plan Glover review Weakening or undermining their existing protections or geographic scope The plan for the AONB is a statutory On 27th May 2018 Environment will not be part of the review, which will document which is required to undergo a Secretary Michael Gove committed instead focus on how designated areas review every five years. It guides the work to conserve and enhance England’s can boost wildlife, support the recovery of the AONB Partnership and Team and is EAST DEVON most cherished landscapes as a review of natural habitats and connect more a key part of our business plan relationship launched into the nation’s National people with nature. with Defra, our main funder. Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Undertaking a review is one of the This year we undertook a light touch Beauty (AONBs). key commitments of the government’s review of the plan, given the uncertain Partnership Plan Nearly 70 years after the country’s –24 25 Year Environment Plan, which circumstances we are currently in but used 2019 National Parks were first established, outlines our vision for improving the the opportunity to confirm our priorities opening up the countryside and allowing environment over a generation by for future action and targets. Internal more people to connect with nature, an connecting people with nature and and external consultations were carried independent panel will look at how these helping wildlife to thrive. out across 2017/18 alongside regulatory 1 iconic landscapes meet our needs in the Management framework for the East Devon The AONB responded to the review assessments to ensure the plan policies Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 21st century – including whether there on behalf of the Partnership and were ‘sound’. The renamed Partnership is scope for the current network of 34 the National Association for AONBs Plan was adopted by Devon County and AONBs and 10 National Parks to expand. coordinated a prospectus for feeding East Devon District Councils in March The review, led by writer Julian into the review. 2019 and will be supported by an annual Glover, will also explore how access You can read more about the delivery plan. to these beloved landscapes can be Landscapes review here: www.gov.uk/ improved, how those who live and work government/news/national-parks- in them can be better supported, and review-launched their role in growing the rural economy. 28 aonb annual review 2018/19 Rural economy and services 29 RURAL ECONOMY Summary funding and outputs AND SERVICES for Making it Local (2017-2022) A sustainable rural economy Priority No. of projects Value (£) Jobs supported that serves to conserve and enhance the special qualities 1 Support to increase 18 546,828 8.5 of the landscape farm productivity

2 Support for micro 23 585,229 46.8 and small businesses (non-agricultural) and farm diversification

3 Support for 4 353,394 12.95 rural tourism

4 Provision of 1 11,040 1 Making it Local rural services After two rounds of additional funding received from EU exchange 5 Support for cultural 2 24,140 0.88 rate adjustments, the Making It and heritage activity Local final budget of £1.9m has Distribution enabled approximately £1.6m map of funded support to project allocation across projects the Blackdown Hills and East Devon 6 Support for 4 57,653 2.4 AONB wider area. The programme is increasing forestry now 98.5% committed with £1.58m productivity allocated to projects supporting 52 local businesses including farmers, foresters; rural businesses and community groups, creating 73 jobs in the local area. A final project The Making it Local programme has approval meeting is scheduled for had a significant impact on the rural SIGNIFICANT autumn 2019 and the programme economy of the Blackdown Hills and will complete financially in late 2020. East Devon AONBs and we are in IMPACT ON THE dialogue with economic development officers at Devon County Council on RURAL ECONOMY how the AONBs can continue to support future Rural Development funding to our rural communities.

Otter Dairy new facilities supported by Making it Local 30 aonb annual review 2018/19 Community and culture 31

Sustainable Development Fund Recipient Project outcomes Recipient SDF Project COMMUNITY status claimed (£) value (£) Thanks to Defra support we continue to operate a Sustainable Development Fund A garden themed upon the Charity 3,554 4864 (SDF) to support small scale community Heritage plants that Thomas Whitty AND CULTURE initiatives across the AONB. The SDF panel originally used to introduce comprises Alistair Handyside (CLA), Ian the colourful patterns in Improved access to services Todd (NFU), Greg Page-Turner (FSB), Geoff Axminster carpets and facilities and the active Pook (EDDC) and Ruth Angell (Donkey participation in community Sanctuary). The fund can provide funding up Devon Bat conservation through Charity 4000 21000 to £4k, with applications requesting more Wildlife building of a purpose-built and appropriate landscape than £1k SDF being decided by the panel and Trust bat roost. those seeking under £1k SDF delegated to related social enterprise the AONB Manager. All applications undergo an officer assessment and project scoring to ensure funding is allocated to proposals that Thelma Connecting communities Council 3000 17900 are in support of AONB management plan Hulbert to their environment policies and achieve a minimum threshold. Gallery through art. SUPPORTING SMALL The SDF Panel applications are considered on a rolling application window SCALE COMMUNITY and determined by majority decision. Last year’s SDF supported a wide range of Axe Vale Enhanced audio Charity 1800 2410 projects across the AONB and geared the and District interpretation of INITIATIVES funding by over three times. Conservation nature reserve Society

Total £ 20,007* £64,888 Recipient Project outcomes Recipient SDF Project status claimed (£) value (£) *Includes admin fee Seaton Town Development of a round Council 1,897 2550 Council town heritage trail SDF grant multiplier effect 2009/18 Grant allocation by category % (2009/18) Percentage of grants Wildlife 14

RSPB Development of bat Charity 536 4081 Community Facilities 13 hibernaculum Interpretation/Information 12 £281k £1.831m Recreation 8.4 SDF granted Total project Environmental 8.4 East Devon Promotion of tourism Business 2,302 8800 value Artisitic/Creative 7.5 destinations and group Excellence Economic 7.5 accommodation providers to encourage repeat visits Woodland & Land Management 6.5 Heritage 5.6

Honiton Environmental Charity 2,718 3200 Training 5.6 Millennium enhancements to public Local Food 4.6 Green open space in Honiton. Tourism 3.7 Parish Plans 2 Transport 1 32 aonb annual review 2018/19 Communication, awareness and engagement 33

AONB Ambassadors (also our East Devon AONB Vice COMMUNICATION, Chair) and insights into the varied Our February Ambassador networking projects and valuable work of meeting is now a regular slot in the our recent Acland Award 2018 calendar and this year we hosted winner - the Axe Vale and District AWARENESS AND our Ambassadors at the AONB HQ, Conservation Society. Kennaway House. The trademark ‘speed Delegates received an AONB update networking’ session was replaced ENGAGEMENT on our work to conserve the landscape, with a series of ‘lightening’ talks heritage and wildlife in East Devon from our network members and A greater awareness of the AONB, the AONB; Sustainable Tourism in East received a big thumbs up as a Devon from Alistair Handyside, Chair better format for all concerned. purposes of the designation, the role of the of the South West Tourism Alliance Partnership and the range of opportunities for involvement in environmental education

The Acland Award and Annual AONB Meeting Our 16th Annual meeting was hosted at the Beehive community building in Honiton. With a theme of wellbeing, the event focused on recognising the benefits of an outdoors lifestyle and the role the natural environment plays in our wellbeing. We enjoyed keynote presentations from Dave Stone, Chief Scientist at Natural England, Virginia Pearson, Director for Public Health at DCC and artist Anne-Marie Culhane. This year’s Acland Award, which forms an important part of our Annual Meeting, also focussed on art, well-being and the environment. Once again, we had some excellent Annual Meeting Q&A session submissions from a wide range of Field visit to the river Coly organisations, demonstrating the breadth and depth of activity across July field event the AONB. Our field events are aimed at our Top awards went to: Ambassador network and Partnership Winner - Axe Vale and District as well as other interested parties. Conservation Society - for their varied This year’s event focused on the community conservation and activity importance and role of trees in programme our landscape, in particular their relationship to water quality and Highly Commended - Otter Valley Risk Team, Blackdown Hills AONB flood risk. Association - for their walking and and West Country Rivers Trust. Presentations were provided by community programmes A short walk along the nearby river a wide range of partners engaged in Coly explored issues of flood risk and Commended – Wild East Devon and projects across the AONB including natural flood management further. Leisure East Devon for their education/ Forestry Commission, Devon Flood conservation and healthy walking projects. Acland Award winners 2018 34 aonb annual review 2018/19 Management and finances 35

Core Funding

Expenditure Operations: £9,800 Where the money MANAGEMENT Support services: £13,178 was spent Staff: £108,491 Transport: £4,678 AND FINANCES ESTIMATED 2018 / 19 total: £136,147 The Partnership will act as ambassadors for East ACTUAL 2018 / 19 total: £139,018

Devon AONB, influence policy and decision making Staff: £109,982 Transport: £6,281 affecting AONBs and work to secure funding for the Support services: £13,204 long-term coordinated management of the area, Operations: £9,550 annually reporting on its actions

Staffing and Our projects budgets supported Income Devon County Council: £16,113 Where the money additional work associated with the East Devon District Council: £17,687 operations Management Plan review and survey came from Core budgets were slightly over for this work, IT equipment and research/ Defra: £102,110 year with variations on staffing and development for a citizen science travel costs, the latter as a result of monitoring project. We have also been ESTIMATED 2017 / 18 total: £136,147 increased engagement with National revising our website and developing a AONB programmes under the Taking successor HLF project to the successful ACTUAL 2017 / 18 total: £139,018 the Lead HLF funded transition Legacy to Landscape activity. Data/ programme which is seeking to evidence has also been collated which Defra: £102,110 Other £3,108* enable the AONB family to adapt we hope will assist our proposals for East Devon District Council: £17,687 and develop under current public a Defra Test and Trial project under Devon County Council: £16,113 sector austerity measures. the emerging Environmental Land Management System. * includes £1500 in kind support from EDDC

Defra project funding Estimated Actual Sustainable Development Fund East Devon Way

SDF grants SDF fund recipients £20,000 £6,000 £64,000 £20,007 £6,000 Number of Trust / charity group Business group enquiries: 10 Project Development Legacy to Landscape Number of grants made: 8 5 1 £10,000 £1,000 £11,207 £1,000 19,807 Management Plan Review/Research Ambassador Scheme 2 £6,000 £2,226 Public sector £6,555 £1,953 Value of Total value of projects Natural Capital grants made Totals £5,000 £50,226 £4,443 £51,165 36 aonb annual review 2018/19 About East Devon AONB 37 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty A designation for the 21st century

Public s pending 12km of footpaths on AON >19,3 LE Bs is idleways pass through SS THA and br N

nal Trails tio ng 10 Na s includi AONB

PER Just under PERS N AONB PER YEAR volunteers AONBs put in over 457,000

o NB f O cover15% work days t A he an En in a year, worth glish coast is of England’s land area £36.8m to conserve the landscape and improve access Peat soils in GVA of AONBs is AONBs store millions of tonnes of £16.5BN CO2 per year – similar to that of the city of Leeds MORE THAN 256,000 156m hectares X10 66% of people in people England live within visit AONBs AONBs annually, AONBs are provide excellent 1/2HR spending in home to over of SSSIs are VFM. Every public £1 travel of an excess of £2bn in AONBs – invested is turned into AONB and supporting protecting £10 by the AONB 1 million some of our partnerships thousands of jobs people and businesses most important wildlife habitats 38 aonb annual review 2018/19 39 EAST DEVON AONB LANDSCAPES AT A GLANCE Honiton FOR LIFE The National Association for AONBs is the national voice for 46 AONBs across the UK

Axminster

Ottery east devon way St Mary

EXETER

Lyme east devon way Regis • AON Bs are about managing positive landscape change Seaton • AON Bs are strategic national assets covering 8,000 square miles and river sid involving 700 elected members Beer Sidmouth • AON Bs are locally managed nationally important landscape areas Visit landscapesforlife.org.uk river otter for further information.

south west coast path

Budleigh Salterton

1963

DESIGNATED COVERS 32% OF HOME TO 40 MILE EAST OVER 100 EAST 58 SCHEDULED 14 SITES OF SPECIFIC APPROXIMATELY 855 29 MILES OF COAST ALMOST 18% IN 1963 EAST DEVON DEVON WAY LONG DEVON AONB ANCIENT LISTED SCIENTIFIC INTEREST INC SOUTH WEST WOODLAND 2 30,000 RESIDENTS (268 KM ) DISTANCE FOOTPATH AMBASSADORS MONUMENTS BUILDINGS COAST PATH COVER aonb annual review 2018/19

The East Devon AONB Partnership is a joint initiative:

• Hosted by East Devon District Council Funded by: • Core funded by Defra (75%), East Devon District and Devon County Councils (25%) • Guiding the implementation of the AONB Management Strategy and the work of the AONB team. supported by: