North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-19 Final draft for adoption North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-19 Prepared on behalf of the Council of Partners 1 North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-19 Final draft for adoption This document is the statutory Management Plan for the nationally designated and protected landscape of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), as required under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. It is a plan for all those that have a responsibility to look after this precious and treasured landscape. Following informal consultation in May 2013, an initial draft was published for comment between August and October 2013. Public events were held in each local authority area. Specialists reviewed the comments we received and brought their recommendations to a special meeting of the North Wessex Downs Management Working Group. The North Wessex Downs Council of Partners and relevant local authorities have approved this plan for publication. This Management Plan, the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the Landscape Character Assessment can all be found on the North Wessex Downs website: www.northwessexdowns.org.uk Enquiries about these documents or any other aspect of the review process can be made to the North Wessex Downs team through the website or by telephone: 01488 685440. 2 North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-19 Final draft for adoption Foreword on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are some of our finest landscapes. They are cherished by residents and visitors alike and allow millions of people from all walks of life to understand and connect with nature. I am pleased to see that this management plan demonstrates how AONB Partnerships can continue to protect these precious environments despite the significant challenges they face. With a changing climate, the increasing demands of a growing population and in difficult economic times, I believe AONBs represent just the sort of community driven, collaborative approach needed to ensure our natural environment is maintained for generations to come. AONB Partnerships have been the architects of a landscape-scale approach to land management. This approach is a key feature of the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper and emphasises the need to manage ecosystems in an integrated fashion, linking goals on wildlife, water, soil and landscape, and working at a scale that respects natural systems. This management plan also makes the important connection between people and nature. I am pleased to hear that local communities have been central to the development of the plan, and will be at the heart of its delivery. From volunteers on nature conservation projects, to businesses working to promote sustainable tourism, it’s great to hear of the enthusiasm and commitment of the local people who hold their AONBs so dear. AONBs are, and will continue to be, landscapes of change. Management plans such as this are vital in ensuring these changes are for the better. I would like to thank all those who were involved in bringing this plan together and I wish you every success in bringing it to fruition. Lord de Mauley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for natural environment and science 3 North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-19 Final draft for adoption Introduction by Chairman of the North Wessex Downs Council of Partners This statutory plan has been drawn up after wide consultation and sets out objectives for the next five years. As well as informing the work of the AONB unit, we hope it will guide the relevant activities of local authorities, agencies, businesses and individuals. The North Wessex Downs landscape and the AONB Partnership face greater pressure than ever before. As the restrictions on public finances tighten, it is important that we do our utmost to protect the huge benefit that such a high quality landscape brings. Our society benefits from its influence on our good health and the cultural value that it represents. The economy relies on the processes performed by the natural environment and benefits from it being an attractive place in which to do business. Through our Management Plan, the AONB Partnership and unit are actively involved in a range of delivery projects. Over the past five years, the North Wessex Downs AONB has increased the amount of non- government and local authority funding by almost 600%. We have found significant benefit in partnerships with other protected landscapes, joining bids such as the Our Land project, promoting tourism in the AONB and 1SW, which aims to increase access to the countryside. We retain a Sustainable Development Fund that has distributed £0.5m in small grants to over 150 local projects to date, bringing match contributions in excess of £1.5m. The North Wessex Downs LEADER programme 2009-13 was hosted by the AONB. It awarded £1.419m to 65 different projects - to farmers, foresters, small businesses and rural communities across the North Wessex Downs. The grants have facilitated a total investment in the area of more than £3 million since 2009. Money awarded will help grow the economy, developing business, creating and supporting jobs, improving competitiveness and sustainability and encouraging tourism. We have worked with landscape-scale conservation projects including the successful farmer-led Marlborough Downs Nature Improvement Area, Stepping Stones Project and Winning Ways for Wildlife. We also contributed to the development of county-based Local Nature Partnerships where we have been working more closely with nearby AONBs. This commitment to conservation of the natural environment has led the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to re-affirm the Category V status of the North Wessex Downs as “an area of distinct character with significant ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value”. I would like to thank all the people who have contributed to the work of the North Wessex Downs Partnership and the development of this Plan, in particular our nine local authority partners. I hope that everyone who reads this Plan will be able to contribute in some way to its success. Byron Carron, Chairman of the North Wessex Downs AONB Council of Partners 4 North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-19 Final draft for adoption Contents Foreword on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 1 Introduction by Chairman of the North Wessex Downs Council of Partners 4 List of Figures 6 1. A Vision for the North Wessex Downs 7 2. Introduction 2.1 About the North Wessex Downs 9 2.2 Definition of Natural Beauty 11 2.3 Why is this Management Plan important? 11 2.4 Monitoring Strategy 14 3.The Landscape 3.1 Geology, Landform and Land Use 15 3.2 Landscape Character Types 18 3.3 Special Qualities: Landscape 24 4. Land management 4.1 Agriculture 25 4.2 Forestry 26 4.3 Horse Related Activity 27 4.4 Field Sports 28 4.5 Special Qualities: Land Management 28 5. Biodiversity 5.1 Chalk Grassland 29 5.2 Woodland 30 5.3 Chalk Rivers and Streams 30 5.4 Enclosed Farmland 30 5.5 Protecting Biodiversity 31 5.6 Special Qualities: Biodiversity 32 6. Historic environment 6.1 Features of the North Wessex Downs 33 6.2 Historic Landscape Character 34 6.3 Settlement Pattern 38 6.4 Special Qualities: Historic Environment 38 7. Natural resources 7.1 Accounting for Natural Benefits 39 7.2 Conserving Resources and Maintaining Ecosystem Function 42 7.3 Climate 44 7.4 Special Qualities: Natural Resources 45 5 North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-19 Final draft for adoption 8. Development 8.1 Relationship with the National Planning Policy Framework. 46 8.2 The Approach to Development in AONBs 47 8.3 The Local Economy and Rural Business 47 8.4 Additional Guidance 48 8.5 Special Qualities; Development 52 9. Communities 9.1 Employment and Training 54 9.2 Travel and transport 54 9.3 Special Qualities: Communities 55 10. Leisure and tourism 10.1 Tourism 56 10.2 Rights of Way and Access 57 10.3 Special Qualities: Leisure Tourism 58 11. Key Issues, Objectives and Policies 11.1 Landscape 59 11.2 Land Management 61 11.3 Biodiversity 63 11.4 Historic Environment 65 11.5 Natural Resources 67 11.6 Development 69 11.7 Communities 72 11.8 Leisure and Tourism 74 12. Stakeholder responsibilities 76 13. Glossary of Terms 79 List of Figures Figure 1 Map of the North Wessex Downs 8 Figure 2 The location of the North Wessex Downs 10 Figure 3 Local Authority Boundaries 12 Figure 4 The Geology of the North Wessex Downs 17 Figure 5 Landscape Character Types of the North Wessex Downs 19 Figure 6 Present Historic Landscape Character of the North Wessex Downs 36 Figure 7 HLC time depth analysis of the North Wessex Downs 37 Figure 8 Goods and Services Provided by the North Wessex Downs 40 Figure 9 Stakeholders and Opportunities to Contribute 76 Figure 10 Glossary of Terms used in Document 79 6 North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan 2014-19 Final draft for adoption 1. A Vision for the North Wessex Downs Vast dramatic, undeveloped and distinct chalk downlands with nationally significant areas of semi-natural chalk grassland, contrasting with well-wooded plateaux, arable lands and intimate and secluded valleys, all rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage; a national landscape that stands apart from the increasing urban pressures that surround it; where people live, work and relax; and where visitors are welcomed and contribute to a vibrant rural economy. We seek to make the North Wessex Downs: • A place where actions meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and where people have the skills and energy to adapt to change in ways that respect the unique qualities of the North Wessex Downs and deliver wider environmental, economic and social benefits.