EAST DEVON Partnership Plan 2019 –24 Management framework for the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 1 2 Contents 4 Map of East Devon AONB 6 Ministerial foreword 7 Partnership commendation 8 Our vision 10 Context 21 Theme 1: Place 30 Theme 2: People and prosperity 44 Theme 3: Communication and management 51 Delivery and monitoring 54 Appendices 3 to Taunton Honiton to London Waterloo Off well A358 A35 Off well Woodland Shute Axminster East Devon Area A375 Kilmington of Outstanding to Exeter A30 Gittisham Church Common Green Whitford to Dorchester Northleigh Natural Beauty Musbury Trinity Hill A35 Farway East Hill Knapp River Coly Ottery Copse Musbury Strips Castle St Mary A358 Southleigh Colyton Uplyme River Lim Tipton River Axe St John White Colyford Cross Blackbury Camp Holyford Venn River Sid Woods Ottery Sidbury Axmouth Aylesbeare Seaton Rousdon Common Wetlands Lyme A3052 Regis CANNINGTON VIADUCT Harpford Fire Beacon A3052 Woods Hill Beer Salcombe Branscombe Seaton Undercliff s Newton Norman Regis Quarry Poppleford Lockyer Caves Mutter’s Beer Moor Observatory Colaton Salcombe Hill Beer Woodbury Raleigh Head Castle Sidmouth River Otter The High Peak Commons Otterton KEY East Ladram Jurassic Coast to Exeter Budleigh Exe Estuary Bystock Bay Towns / villages Cycle Trail Pools Lower Otter Nature reserves A376 B3179 Valley South West Coast Path Exmouth East Devon Way Exmouth to Budleigh Otter Cycleway Cycle Trail Budleigh Estuary Exmouth Salterton View point Fort /castle 4 The Maer Orcombe Point to Taunton Honiton to London Waterloo Beer Off well A358 A35 Off well Woodland Shute Axminster A375 Kilmington to Exeter A30 Gittisham Church Common Green Whitford to Dorchester Northleigh Musbury Trinity Hill A35 Farway East Hill Knapp River Coly Ottery Copse Musbury Strips Castle St Mary A358 Southleigh Colyton Uplyme River Lim Tipton River Axe St John White Colyford Cross Blackbury Camp Holyford Venn River Sid Woods Ottery Sidbury Axmouth Aylesbeare Seaton Rousdon Common Wetlands Lyme A3052 Regis CANNINGTON VIADUCT Harpford Fire Beacon A3052 Woods Hill Beer Salcombe Branscombe Seaton Undercliff s Newton Norman Regis Quarry Poppleford Lockyer Caves Mutter’s Beer Moor Observatory Colaton Salcombe Hill Beer Woodbury Raleigh Head Castle Sidmouth River Otter The High Peak Commons Otterton KEY East Ladram Jurassic Coast to Exeter Budleigh Exe Estuary Bystock Bay Towns / villages Cycle Trail Pools Lower Otter Nature reserves A376 B3179 Valley South West Coast Path Exmouth East Devon Way Exmouth to Budleigh Otter Cycleway Cycle Trail Budleigh Estuary Exmouth Salterton View point Fort /castle The 5 Maer Orcombe Point Ministerial foreword I am fortunate that England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are part of my ministerial responsibilities. Whether it be rolling hills, sweeping coastline or a tranquil village, spending time in an AONB can stir the heart and lift the spirit. This is a pivotal moment for all AONBs. The government has set its ambition in the 25 Year Environment Plan which states clearly the importance of natural beauty as part of our green future, while AONBs retain the highest status of protection “ for landscape through national planning policy. Leaving the Whether it be rolling hills, sweeping EU brings with it an opportunity to develop a better system coastline or a tranquil village, for supporting our farmers and land managers, who play such spending time in an AONB can stir a vital role as stewards of the landscape. And the Review of the heart and lift the spirit National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty led by Julian Glover – the first of its kind for generations – will make recommendations to make sure our designated landscapes can flourish in the years ahead. In my visits to AONBs around the country, I have been struck by the passion of many people – farmers, volunteers, and hard-working staff – for the beautiful places they live and work in. In this spirit I am delighted to welcome publication of this Statutory Management Plan (Partnership Plan) for East “ Devon AONB. It is significant that this Plan will be delivered in Guide and regularly review partnership by those who value East Devon AONB. I would like delivery to achieve the best to thank all those involved in the preparation of this document we can for our landscape, and wish you the best of success in bringing it to fruition. its communities and in turn the economy, and in doing so help keep East Devon truly outstanding John Gardiner, Baron Gardiner of Kimble Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity 6 Partnership commendation Commendatory statement This Partnership Plan has been reviewed and is commended and endorsed by the East Devon AONB As a born and bred East Devonian, This new Plan has been revised in Partnership. The Partnership is the countryside in this south eastern preparation for this change. As we committed to the delivery of this corner of Devon holds a special place enter a new era, we will remain fleet Plan and will work with a wide range in my heart. I have been fortunate to of foot to adapt and move with the of organisations and individuals to play my part in its conservation and times and ensure we remain locally conserve and enhance the natural enhancement through my previous effective and relevant. My Partnership beauty of the East Devon AONB employment as a vet, and more will guide and regularly review for future generations. recently as a Town and District our delivery to ensure we achieve councillor and now as Chairman of the best for our landscape, our Context of review the East Devon AONB Partnership. communities and our economy and The Countryside and Rights of Way Public funding, our exit from in doing so, help keep East Devon Act (2000) requires local authorities the EU and a government spotlight truly outstanding. to prepare, publish and review (on on AONBs and National Parks in period of not more than five years) the form of the Glover review of Management Plans for AONBs in designated landscapes will all present their areas. This Partnership Plan fresh challenges and perhaps some is the result of a review carried exciting opportunities for AONBs out in 2017–8 by the East Devon over the next five years. AONB Partnership on behalf of Devon County Council and East Devon District Council to fulfil this Cllr Graham Godbeer requirement for the East Devon Chairman, East Devon AONB Partnership Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 7 Our strategic aims and objectives Our vision for an inspirational Place Strategic aim 1: Place – To conserve and enhance the natural beauty landscape of the AONB KEY OBJECTIVE 1.1 Landscape character and historic environment The natural beauty of the East Devon Improved coordination and influence in the management of the distinctive landscape and AONB landscape, its dramatic World historic environment features of the AONB, to Heritage Site coastline, internationally ensure they are maintained, enhanced, understood and appreciated. important habitats and species and 1.2 Environmental quality and climate its cultural heritage, is conserved, The sustainable management of the natural resources of the AONB. managed and enhanced to support 1.3 Biodiversity and geodiversity and benefit present and future The biodiversity and geological assets of the AONB are conserved and enhanced as part of a generations. bigger, better and more joined up landscape. 1.4 Coast The conservation and enhancement of the high quality and internationally significant coastline. 8 EAST DEVON People and prosperity Communication Strategic aim 2: People and Prosperity – Encourage and support sustainable economic development, social and management engagement and recreational activity that conserves Strategic aim 3: Communication and Management – and enhances the natural beauty of the AONB To ensure the AONB is recognised and valued as a national, regional and local asset and is effectively managed in partnership with our stakeholders KEY OBJECTIVE 2.1 Farming, forestry and land management A sustainable farming, forestry and land management KEY OBJECTIVE sector that helps to conserve and enhance the character 3.1 Communication, education and awareness of the AONB. A greater awareness of the AONB, the 2.2 Access, recreation and tourism purposes of the designation, the role of the A sustainable access, recreation and tourism sector that is Partnership and range of opportunities compatible with the protected landscape and does not harm for engagement. the conservation of natural beauty or the needs of agriculture, 3.2 Management forestry and other uses. The AONB Partnership will act as 2.3 Planning and development ambassadors for East Devon AONB, influence Planning development and policy protects the special landscape policy and decision making affecting AONBs character and tranquillity of the AONB and will enable and work to secure funding for the long-term appropriate forms of social and economic development co-ordinated management of the area and that are compatible with the landscape, so conserving and report on its work. enhancing the environment. 2.4 Transport and highways The impact on the landscape, environment and enjoyment of the AONB is considered in the planning and provision of transport networks and services. 2.5 Rural economy and services A sustainable rural economy in the AONB that serves to conserve and enhance the character of the landscape. 2.6 Community and culture Improved access to services and facilities and the active participation in community and appropriate landscape 9 related social enterprise. 0.1 Legislative context The requirement for this plan The purpose of AONB designation This Partnership Plan therefore focuses Part IV of the Countryside and Rights of Way Natural England is responsible for advising on primarily on conserving and enhancing the Act 2000 consolidates earlier legislation regarding AONB designation. In its 1991 policy statement quality of the AONB landscape, in particular the designation and purposes of AONB’s.