Management Plan 2009 - 2014
The Blackdown Hills AONB Management Plan 2009 - 2014 has been produced by the AONB Partnership on behalf of the six partner local authorities following a review of the 2004 2009 Plan and public consultation.
The Plan does not set out to deal with all of the issues facing the Blackdown Hills - it focuses on objectives and policies relevant to conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB, and the management actions needed to conserve this special place for future generations.
The delivery of the Management Plan is not the responsibility of the AONB Partnership alone. It is a plan for all those who value the area and have an interest in it, and the involvement of a wide range of organisations is essential in achieving the Plan's aims over the next five years.
You can download the entire Plan, the Management Plan Summary, or one of eight individual sections for ease of reference:
Management Plan full document (2.59 mb)
Management Plan Summary (1 mb)
Section 1 - Introduction, contents and foreword (848kb) Includes national, regional and local maps
Section 2 - Special qualities (299kb)
One of the key purposes of the Management Plan is to highlight the significance and importance of the special qualities of the AONB. Also includes information about landscape character and historic environment.
Section 3 - Management strategy context (243kb) Explains the purpose and status of the Plan and includes a 20-year vision for the AONB. The main strategy section is presented under three themes, each divided into sub-themes. Each one follows the same format of: Vision, Background, Facts and figures, Successes, Forces for change, Objectives, Polices, and Measuring progress.
Section 4 - Landscape theme (30kb)
Deals with topics related to the primary purpose of conserving and enhancing natural beauty: Landscape character and historic environment; Biodiversity and geology; Environmental quality and climate.
Section 5 - Sustainability theme (551kb) Relates to the secondary purposes of promoting sustainable forms of social and economic development that contribute to conserving and enhancing natural beauty: Farming, Forestry and Land Management; Access, Recreation and Tourism; Planning and Development; Transport and Highways; Rural Economy and Services; Community and Culture.
Section 6 - Communications & Management (247 kb)
Covers the core functions of AONB management: Communication, Education and Awareness; Partnerships, Organisation and Management.
Section 7 - Implementation and Review (194k)
Details the AONB Partnership's role in delivering the plan, information about monitoring and includes references.
Section 8 - Appendices (317 kb)
Five appendices to the plan providing background information, including references to other plans and strategies, additional data and a glossary.
Delivery Plan (725kb)
Key to the success of the Management Plan is the implementation and delivery of priority actions. The Delivery Plan sets out what will be done to meet the objectives and policies over the five-year plan period.
Supporting documentation
In compliance with EU regulations a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Sustainability Appraisal of the impacts of the Plan upon the environment was carried out. The resulting Environmental Report can be downloaded here. A Screening Report on the impact of the Plan upon sites covered by the Habitats Regulations was also prepared.
SEA Environmental Report (496kb)
SEA Environmental Report Supplementary Review (959kb)
Habitation Regulations Screening Report (4.18mb)
Review Report (174kb) Describes the review process and amendments made.
