Management Plan Review 2015 - 2020 the Isle of Anglesey AONB Management Plan Review 2015 - 2020
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The Isle of Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan Review 2015 - 2020 The Isle of Anglesey AONB Management Plan Review 2015 - 2020 The Isle of Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan 2015 - 2020 Contents Section 1 Executive Summary 2 The Management Structure of the Anglesey AONB 3 An Introduction to the AONB 4 AONB Guiding Principles and Forces for Change 5 The Vision and Strategy for the AONB 6 The Action Plan for the AONB All photos: ©Isle of Anglesey County Council and Mel Parry Front Cover: Bwa GwynMenai (©Mel Strait Parry) 1 Executive Summary AONB Management Plan 2015-20 1 Executive Summary 1.0 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty were established Previous plans have identified the 4 stages of the plan as a result of the National Parks and Access to the development with the key stage being the last which Countryside Act (1949). requires the monitoring and review of the management plan process over 5 year periods. It is with this in mind 1.1 The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 that the current 2009/14 management plan is being was an important development for all those concerned reviewed and the action plan evaluated. This will allow with the management of AONB’s. As a result of the Act, us to identify and measure the changes that have all Local Authorities which administer AONB’s now have occurred during the plan period. a statutory responsibility to prepare, publish and review a management plan for their area every 5 years. 1.2 Guidance on the review of AONB management plans was produced in 2009 by the Countryside Council for In September 2014 the Minister for Natural Resources Wales (CCW). This guidance took account of a range of announced a review into the purposes and governance issues which are or could impact on the AONB such as of the Designated Landscapes in Wales. This two stage Climate Change. Since then the three environmental review would firstly examine the designations public bodies in Wales, CCW, Forestry Commission themselves looking at their purposes and the merits of Wales and Environment Agency Wales, have been classifying Wales’ designated landscapes under one amalgamated into Natural Resources Wales (NRW). type of designation, before then considering the associ- ated governance arrangements. Further details of the The main purpose of NRW is to ensure that the review can be found at: natural resources of Wales are sustainably http://gov.wales/topics/environmentcountryside/ maintained, enhanced and used, now and in the consmanagement/review-designated-landscapes- future1. As such the Management Plan will need to take wales/?lang=en account of the natural resources within and outside its boundaries and understand how using an ecosystem The Isle of Anglesey AONB Management Plan evaluates approach can better manage the natural resources of and determines what the special qualities of the AONB the AONB. are, then determines what actions are required to ensure that these qualities are conserved and enhanced for In order to assist the AONBs with this process NRW future generations. commissioned Craggatak Consulting to produce specific guidance on the Ecosystem Approach for The administration of the AONB is overseen by a Joint Protected Landscapes Management Plan Reviews2. The Advisory Committee (JAC). This committee consists of review process has been slightly amended to take elected members and co-opted representatives of account of this and is shown in the following table. organisations who wish to participate in the work of promoting and protecting the AONB 1 NRW Business Plan 2013/14 2 Craggatak Consulting 2014 Rhoscolyn 1 1 Executive Summary AONB Management Plan 2015-20 Table 1 – Management plan review process The five parts of a Management Plan review REviEw PROcESS PLAN OUTPUTS SEA / SA HRA Part 1: State of the Protected Landscape Review of Review Identification of: Stage A Management Plan Special Qualities Sites of European Assessing Change & The Vision Importance Scoping of SEA Evidence Base Ecosystem Services Other Plans and Consultation with Review links to Programmes Evidence – State of Environmental Bodies other plans, policies the Protected Key environmental & programmes Landscape issues Part 2: Strategy for the Protected Landscape Stage B Revise and update Protected Landscape Screening the Plan’s the Management Management Plan Effects Plan Strategy Assessment Part 3: Reporting Stage C Production of the Protected Landscape Prepare Screening draft Management Management Plan Environmental Report Plan Action Plan Report Part 4: Formal Consultation Stage D Formal Submit Report to Stakeholder Consultation Report Consultation and Consultation review by decision NRW engagement makers Part 5: Monitoring The Twelve Principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity Biological on Convention the of Principles Twelve The Stage E Implementation Delivery delivery and monitoring of Plan Monitoring Monitoring 1.3 As can be seen from the table the Management Plan will The natural resource management process will provide a still need to be assessed against a Strategic framework for decision making that identifies Environmental Assessment due to its likely or probable opportunities to better achieve long term outcomes by environmental effects. Similarly a Habitat Regulations taking account of environmental limits and Assessment will still be required to ensure that the plan environmental opportunities. Evidence, carrying capacity does not have an adverse effect on any of the European and a better understanding of the long term impacts will designated sites within or adjoining the AONB. also help the decision making process as will input from communities and young people. 1.4 As previously mentioned Natural Resource Management is now a major consideration during the development of As part of this process the AONB is committed to the Management Plan and is touched upon throughout working with the JAC and other stakeholders to identify the plan. the key resources within and adjacent to the AONB and thus improve our understanding of the Special Qualities Natural resource management is about managing our and Features of the AONB. natural environment in a joined up way that delivers real outcomes for the environment, people, the economy 1.5 Final public consultation regarding the AONB and our communities both in the AONB and adjacent to Management Plan took place between April and June it. It seeks to establish a common approach to decision 2015. A number of points were raised during this time making about our natural resources and how they are which helped inform the process and where relevant managed and should work at all levels from central were incorporated into the revised Management Plan. Government through to landowners. 2 Coastal path between Point Lynas and Dulas 2 Management Structure of the Anglesey AONB AONB Management Plan 2015-20 2 The Management Structure of the Isle of Anglesey AONB 2.0 The Management Structure of the Anglesey AONB Welsh Government Country Land and Business Association 2.1 The Isle of Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Anglesey Antiquarians (AONB) is administered by the County Council’s Medrwn Môn Countryside and AONB Service. The Service consists of a Countryside and AONB Officer, an AONB Project The JAC supports and oversees the Countryside and Officer and two full time temporary AONB Community Rights of Way (CROW) Act’s statutory requirement on Wardens along with other wardening staff. the Isle of Anglesey County Council to prepare and publish the AONB Management Plan. The Countryside and AONB Service’s core activities include: The main duties of the JAC are: • Supporting the preparation and delivery of the • To co-ordinate the preparation and review of the AONB Management Plan and Statutory AONB AONB management plan every 5 years; purpose ; • To monitor progress and achievement in the • Delivering the Local Authorities Statutory implementation of the management plan; Requirement • To advise the local authority, and other bodies, on • The administration and promotion of the Welsh appropriate action to support the management of Government’s Sustainable Development Fund the AONB; grant; • Co-ordinate actions and guide the decision making • Interpreting and promoting the AONB; process; • Engagement with Communities and Schools • To provide a forum for discussion amongst partner (Primary and Secondary) organisations; • Administrating the Joint Advisory Committee. • To promote co-operation in those actions which • Co-ordinating the AONB Volunteers. can help meet the social, economic and environmental needs of the communities within the The costs of managing the AONB are partially funded by AONB; the Isle of Anglesey County Council and currently grant • To develop and maintain links with protected areas aid from Natural Resources Wales. elsewhere in the world, to exchange experience and good practice; 2.2 The administration of the AONB is overseen by the Joint • To help develop and maintain an image for the Advisory Committee (JAC). This committee consists of designated area; organisations who wish to participate in the work of • To co-ordinate the management of Anglesey’s promoting and protecting the AONB. Heritage Coast. Many organisations are represented on the JAC and The JAC meets formally twice a year, with the County include: Council providing administrative support. Isle of Anglesey County Council GeoMôn The National Trust The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Campaign for the Protection