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Cornwall AONB Partnership Business Plan 2012- 2014
Introduction
Cornwall AONB Partnership Business Plan 2012-2014
Introduction
The Cornwall AONB Partnership Business Plan 2012-2016 sets out in broad terms the key areas of work for the Cornwall AONB
Partnership and its staff unit for the next 5 years with a more detailed focus on delivery over the coming two years.
Purpose of the AONB designation
The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty.
In pursuing the primary purpose account should be taken of the needs of agriculture, forestry, other rural industries and of the economic
and social needs of local communities. Particular regard should be paid to promoting sustainable forms of social and economic
development that in themselves conserve and enhance the environment.
Recreation is not an objective of designation, but the demand for recreation should be met as far as this is consistent with the
conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses.
The Cornwall AONB Management Plan 2011-2014
The Cornwall AONB Management Plan and Delivery Plan 2011-2016 has now been adopted by Cornwall Council (February 2011) and
published.
Partnership Delivery
Strategic work areas
Landscapes and Seascape
Planning and Development
Climate Change and Energy
Biodiversity and Geodiversity
Communities and Economy
Farming, Food and Forestry
Heritage
Rivers, Coast and Marine
Sustainable Tourism
Transport and Access
Communications, Interpretation and Awareness
The Cornwall AONB Partnership
The Cornwall AONB Partnership has been in existence since 2002, so it is now 9 years old. The Partnership has successfully seen the
production of two statutory Management Plans and negotiated its way through the tricky move to a Unitary Authority for Cornwall. Much
has been achieved by Partners in working towards the aims and actions of both Management Plans.
The Cornwall AONB Partnership has come a long way and has developed and matured over the years. The role of the AONB Unit is to
support the Partnership and encourage the Partnership to work together to achieve the delivery of the Management Plan.
In addition, the strategic and operational context for the Partnership has shifted significantly since 2002, notably:
The creation of a unitary Cornwall Council
the current economic climate means that the drive to undertake more ‘joined up’, integrated working towards shared outcomes, is
stronger than ever
The Coalition Government’s various initiatives relating to the natural environment, including:
o the creation of possible new Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Partnership
o the introduction of Neighbourhood Plans through the Localism Bill and the National Planning Policy Framework
The main duties of an AONB Partnership are set out in the document CA24Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – A guide for AONB
partnership members. The primary role of an AONB Partnership is to plan and implement AONB management via the AONB
management plan. The make up of the Cornwall AONB, dispersed across 12 separate areas of the county, creates challenges for the
Cornwall AONB Partnership. The Partnership must maintain a strategic view of the AONB as a whole while identifying and highlighting
the management needs of individual areas. Addressing those needs has to be done at the local level, through the work of the Partners
and other organisations and individuals. The key roles for the Cornwall AONB Partnership therefore are to promote the importance of the
landscape of the AONB, to influence and advise others whose work might impact upon the AONB and to coordinate the protection and
management of the AONB according to the purposes of designation.
The Cornwall AONB Partnership is comprised of 14 different organisations
Cornwall Agricultural Council
Cornwall Association of Local Councils
Cornwall Council – Environment and Planning Services
Cornwall Rural Communities Council
Cornwall Sustainable Tourism Project (CoaST)
Cornwall Wildlife Trust
Countryside Landowners Association
English Heritage
Environment Agency
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
National Farmers Union
Natural England
Rural Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership
Visit Cornwall
SWOT analysis of the Cornwall AONB Partnership
This SWOT analysis is based on the return of Partners to a questionnaire in Dec 2010 about the effectiveness, strengths and
weaknesses of the Partnership
Strengths
A committed membership with well attended meetings
A good history and track record
Good past achievements in the areas of landscape character, monitoring, planning, agriculture and sustainable tourism
A good reputation and experience of AONB recognised by the public
Management Plan policies used
A good new Management Plan written with good inclusion of the public and professionals
A strategic focus
Weaknesses
A tendency to talk and not act
Partner organisations working alone
Projects developed and reported on but not necessarily because of an action in the management plan
Management Plan actions not seen as a priority for delivery
Strategic rather than projects focused
Opportunities
Leadership in landscape matters
A strategic approach
A co-ordinated approach
Learning from other AONB’s and National Parks
Influencing the development of new strategies and plans
Delivering sustainable local activity
Threats
Lack of resources
Low understanding of the benefits of the AONB
Lack of awareness of the management plan policy/ actions
Lack of co-operation/ willingness to co-operate
The way forward for the Cornwall AONB Partnership
At a special meeting of the Partnership in 2011, following the publication of the Management Plan 20111-2016, the
Partnership agreed to alter its structure to better enable delivery and so that the Partnership has a closer relationship with the
AONB Unit.
In preparation for the meeting, the Cornwall AONB Unit developed the following aspirational vision for the Cornwall AONB Partnership
The Cornwall AONB has a fully functioning Partnership with all Partner organisations signed up and committed
to the delivery of the Cornwall AONB Management Plan. This is achieved through policy alignment and, delivery
mainstreamed within their own organisational plans.
Groups of committed and enthusiastic people from Partner organisation are actively working together,, also
drawing in other stakeholders from outside the Partnership organisations, to deliver different aspects of the Plan
The AONB Partnership is a strong and, active Partnership, deciding on the strategic direction for the AONB, and
directly guiding the work of the AONB Unit.
The Partnership uses its meetings to work through difficult issues, unblock barriers to achieving agreed goals
and take decisions.
It agreed that a task and finish group of the partners would work to discuss and recommend a new structure for the
Partnership consisting of an ‘executive’ type board which would meet more regularly, the wider Partnership coming together
to set priorities and discuss issues. Delivery would happen through a series of ‘Task and Finish’ groups which would work to
achieve specific outcomes. A draft new Terms of Reference for the Cornwall AONB partnership is included in Appendix A
Proposed new structure for the Cornwall AONB Partnership
Representation on other Partnerships and Forums
The role of the Cornwall AONB Unit
As well as delivery of the actions in the management plan, the AONB Unit is required to undertake ancilliary work to support the work of
the Partnership and to monitor the health of the AONB. Support task include the organisation of partnership and officer/ technical groups
or project groups working on behalf of the Partnership. The AONB Unit also has a role in provision of specialist advice to AONB Partners
and others with regard to landscape and planning matters. As such, staff attend a number of training courses each year, organise
guidance and training for staff in partner organisations and attend other county, regional and national forums and groups. Monitoring work
is undertaken both with regard to landscape condition, using a set of defined landscape indicators and with regard to activity toward
management actions by Partners and other organisations. The AONB Unit is also responsible for communications and marketing as set
out in the management, the dissemination of AONB information and the management of Partnership finances.
Core functions of an AONB staff unit
a) Developing, reviewing, preparing and publishing the AONB vision and the CRoW Act AONB Management Plan.
b) Raising awareness of the AONB, promoting the AONB vision and management plan to help distinguish the AONB from adjacent
countryside.
c) Advising upon, facilitating and co-ordinating implementation by others of the Management Plan
d) Advising Local Authorities on their activities within AONBs, to encourage them to go beyond normal levels of service (attain the highest
possible standards) in countryside management
e) Monitoring and reporting on progress against AONB Management Plan targets.
f) Monitoring AONB landscape condition
g) Accessing resources for management activities
h) Working with and contributing to the NAAONB activities, Participating in and promoting joint working between AONBs and across
protected landscapes family.
i) Providing a management role to co-ordinate AONB protection through the actions of the AONB unit, the AONB partnership and other
partners at a local and strategic level
j) Developing an involvement by the community in the management of the AONB.
k) Providing landscape related planning advice.
Delivery 2012 -2014
Management Plan Actions
The Plan details actions to be undertaken by Partners over the coming 5 years. The accompanying Delivery Plan sets out these actions
into short (1-2yrs), medium (2-3 yrs) or long (4-5 yrs).
Some of the actions are relatively straightforward and can be achieved relatively quickly with little no extra resources fro example e.g.
A/ST6 – Ensure representation from the Cornwall AONB partnership on the VisitCornwall Partnership. Others are large complex
actions or projects which involve the co-operation of partners over a long period with significant input of resources e.g.A/CE5 -
Develop a project to trail approaches to self sustaining and low carbon communities within the AONB…. Some actions will only be
able to be achieved by working with other bodies, not currently members of the AONB Partnership e.g.A/CE8 Improve links
between the Cornwall AONB Partnership and the health sector, so that the AONB can be better utilised for health benefits,
targeting areas of health deprivation in and around the Cornwall AONB.
The local Sections of the Management Plan are a new addition to the plan and contain Guiding Principles many of which can be directly
delivered upon by Partners.
Prioritising delivery
Given limited staff and financial resources, the Partnership recognises the need to prioritise those actions and provide realism about
which actions can be delivered within the business plan period, given the current social, political and economic climate.
At the special meeting of the Partnership in Dec 2011, the Partnership discussed a list of ten specific areas of work which the Partnership
could focus on the work collaboratively over the coming 4 years, which could result in the delivery of a number of actions in the
Management Plan. The Partnership agreed on four main priorities with specific outcomes.
In addition to these 4 main areas of Partnership Activity, it is appropriate to include the core functions of the AONB Unit in planning future
work.
Strategic Priority Areas 2012-2014
1. Landscape character 2. Community 3. AONB businesses 4. West Penwith – Integrated Land
Planning Management
Outcome: Landscape character Outcome: Parishes Outcome: The AONB Outcome: Strategic, integrated (across
and local distinctiveness of the within the AONB have designation is being used to organisations and across social, economic
AONB are conserved and produced community economically benefit tourism, and environmental areas) land
enhanced through the work of led plans, particularly food and drink and creative management in an agreed geographical
Partners and will be considered Neighbourhood Plans industry businesses who area with the priority focus being West
in their relevant future decision contribute to the local Penwith should be seen as a pilot
making and actions. distinctiveness of the AONB approach. The work should have additional
specific goal of supporting/ showing how
the approach can be rolled out in other
areas
Rationale: Achieving gains for Rationale: The Rationale: The economic Rationale: The ending of the
character requires a joint effort Localism Bill will be downturn, ecosystem goods Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme in
across a wide range of enacted next year and and services, the rise of and West Penwith is a major cause for concern
organisations and AONB it will be vital to ensure potential joint working and there is a need and opportunity for
considerations are not usually AONB Parishes can between the Local Nature biodiversity improvement and an
mainstreamed within the policies produce high quality Partnership and the Local ecosystems approach to management of
and actions of Partner plans which deal Enterprise Partnership the area
organisations locally with AONB
considerations,
particularly with the
Core Strategy and the
NPPF being very brief
Meeting actions: A/LS1, A/LS4-6 Meeting actions Meeting actions A/CE2, Meeting Actions
A/FF2, A/RCM 2, A/RCM4, A/CE4, A/CE7 A/FF4, A/FF8, A/ST5
A/RCM5, A/ST2, A/TA1, A/TA4
&5
Activity monitoring and reporting
Part of the supporting role of the Unit will be to monitor and report on Partnership and Unit activity towards the management plan. The
delivery timetable within the business plan will provide the structure upon which partners report on progress towards actions set out at
priorities for delivery. Partners will be asked to report progress at Partnership meetings which will be compiled and produced in the form
of an annual report at the end of the financial year.
Business Plan review
The Business Plan will set out the detailed priorities for the Partnership over a two year rolling period and will be reviewed annually. The
Partnership may decide to alter the business plan based on the following
The level of financial and human resources available and the changing picture in terms of international, national, regional and
local legislation and policy
The fluid nature of forces of change on the AONB landscape
Improvements in data gathering and monitoring.
Delivery timetable
April 2012- March 2014
Project Delivery
Activity 2012-2013 2013-2014 Partner Organisations
(Lead in bold) AONB Unit Staff lead
Cornwall AONB Local Set up task and finish Initiate Cornwall AONB Nigel Sumpter, AONB
Landscape Character group, agree scope and Local Landscape Officer
initiate project Character project
development
As part of the Cornwall Develop pilot areas for
AONB Local Landscape AONB gateway and
Character project explore Rights of Way signage
the feasibility of AONB
footpath and gateway
signage within current
and new project work
including development of
an agreed strategy.
*
Community planning Promote and publicise Submit funding bid for
the Cornwall support for AONB
Neighbourhood Planning parishes
Guidance produced in
2011/2012
Continue existing task
and finish group to
explore the possibility of
grant funding to support
Parishes within the
AONB to produce
Neighbourhood Plans
AONB Business Establish an AONB
Business task and finish
group
Develop a food and
tourism project and
submit for RDPE funding
Support the inclusion of
Community Forestry in
the Fowey Valley as part
of a South West AONB’s
joint bid to HLF for a SW
Community Forestry
Project
Integrated land Support the development Contribute to the
management : West of a project for West initiation of locally
Penwith Penwith, with the full supported projects with
involvement of local full community
communities involvement.
Core delivery
Core functions of an AONB staff unit
a) Developing, reviewing, preparing and publishing the AONB vision and the CRoW Act AONB Management Plan.
2012-2013 2013-2014
Reprint of Management Plan Summaries Further training needs on management plan identified and
delivered
Distribution of Management Plan Summaries Attend the Royal Cornwall Show
Attend the Royal Cornwall Show Maintain and enhance new website keeping it fresh and updated
with news and information, ensure links to all relevant Partner’s
websites
Redesign of the Cornwall AONB website Weekly articles in the West Briton newspaper
Weekly articles in the West Briton newspaper
c) Advising upon, facilitating and co-ordinating implementation by others of the Management Plan
Taking forward the St Agnes undergrounding scheme with Western Promote the St Agnes scheme
Power Distribution
Working with VisitCornwall and CoaST to input into the review of Implement Cornwall AONB aspects of Cornwall Tourism Strategy
Cornwall’s tourism Strategy and to integrate the Cornwall AONB
Sustainable Tourism Strategy within it
Continue to work with the Linking the Lizard Partnership to Continue to work with the Linking the Lizard Partnership to
implement land management and sustainability initiatives on the implement land management and sustainability initiatives on the
Lizard Lizard
Steer the LNP capacity building project and continue active Support the fledgling LNP in setting priority and strategy for
involvement in the Local Nature Partnership Cornwall’s landscape and environment
d) Advising Local Authorities on their activities within AONBs, to encourage them to go beyond normal levels of service (attain
the highest possible standards) in countryside management
Publication and adoption of a Rural Highways Protocol that covers Implementation of the Rural Highways Protocol on all schemes
both rural roads and rural rights of way. within the AONB, deliver training for officers
Advice on the development of the A30 (planned dualling over Advice on the development of the A30 (planned dualling over
western Bodmin Moor) consistent with the principles of the Rural Bodmin Moor) consistent with the principles of the Rural
Highways Protocol. Highways Protocol.
Sit on the Cornwall Green Infrastructure Steering group and input Integrate the Cornwall GI strategy with a landscape strategy for
into the Cornwall GI strategy the Cornwall AONB
Continue to define, develop and promote the Landscape Sensitivity Input into the development of the Marine Plan and participate in a
Toolkit, including development of historic and biodiversity elements new Maritime Forum for Cornwall
Input and comment into the Cornwall design Guide regarding Conservation and enhancement of local landscape character in
conservation and enhancement of local landscape character in the the AONB promoted through the Cornwall design Guide.
AONB
e) Monitoring and reporting on progress against AONB Management Plan targets.
3 year Annual review document printed and distributed Annual report produced as PDF
Monitoring reports submitted for each Partnership meeting Monitoring reports submitted for each Partnership meeting
f) Monitoring AONB landscape condition
Scoping review of Cornwall, Tamar Valley and Isles of Scilly AONB Undertake monitoring on 2007 landscape baseline and produce a
Joint Monitoring Project (2007) and recommendations for further report on landscape change for the AONb
monitoring work in 2013/14
g) Accessing resources for management activities
Attend the steering group for the development of a Landscapes Participate in project initiation and delivery
Partnerships bid for West Penwith; appoint and steer Project
Development Officer
Develop a broad based landscape character project for the Initiate delivery of the landscape character project for the
Cornwall AONB Cornwall AONB
RDPE project – Cornwall AONB extension to South West Coast Unlocking our Coastal Heritage outputs completed, training
Path ‘ Unlocking our Coastal Heritage’ – delivery team established provided and publicity generated
and project initiated
RDPE Project: Food and Tourism in the AONB – Project
development
Atlantic Coast and Valleys steering group: Support the use of
remaining funds to develop a slate trails project and/ or habitat
improvement project for the large blue butterfly
Explore the possibility of an application to Big Lottery fund for the
production and delivery of neighbourhood plans within AONB
parishes
SWPLF Community Forestry
Act as the accountable body and steering partner for the 1SW Cycle access improved in a manner that respects local landscape
Cycle Hub Project to develop improved cycle trails around Loe character.
Pool and between Helston and Porthleven on the Lizard
h) Working with and contributing to the NAAONB activities, Participating in and promoting joint working between AONBs and
across protected landscapes family.
Attend NAAONB meetings –regional Chairs meetings, lead officers
business meeting topic groups inc communications, planning and
monitoring
Submit 1 article for Outstanding
Submit examples of best practice and projects to the NAAONB/
SWPLF website
Participation in online discussion forums and consultations using
‘basecamp’ networking
Maintain membership of Europarc – attend relevant meetings and
training events
i) Providing a management role to co-ordinate AONB protection through the actions of the AONB unit, the AONB partnership
and other partners at a local and strategic level
Hold 2/ 3 major Partnership meetings annually
Initiate and hold 6 executive board meetings annually
Initiate and administer the following Partnership task and finish
groups: AONB Businesses; AONB Community Planning; West
Penwith Integrated land management; AONB Landscape
Character
Carry out staff appraisals and staff development
j) Developing an involvement by the community in the management of the AONB.
Use the local chapters as part of the management plan review to Potential projects, partners and delivery mechanisms identified
prepare ground for possible community led projects to be and preparations made for delivery.
developed in subsequent financial years and also delivered within
other project areas such as neighbourhood planning and local
landscape character.
Promote the AONB to communities through talks, events and
activities
Develop links with community planning process within Cornwall
Council, Cornwall Rural Communities Council and Cornwall
Association of Local Councils and seek to co-ordinate/ overview
this activity within the AONB
Develop a trail neighbourhood plan with an AONB parish
k) Providing landscape related planning advice.
Influence and input into the new Cornwall Council Local
Development Framework and associated planning guidance
Implement the Cornwall AONB Planning Protocol - to be signed by
the Cornwall Council, Natural England and the Cornwall AONB
Staff Unit
Undertake training on the AONB management plan for planning
officers and local authority planning committee members and
Parish Councils
Respond to planning consultations in line with agreed Protocol
Support the Local Authority in necessary appeals for major
developments where the AONB has been grounds for refusal
Provide support and co-ordinate planning responses in line with
agreed planning protocol including:-
Maintain data base on planning application consultations and
monitor of planning decisions within the Cornwall AONB.
Source application details and liaise with planning officers on
timetable for response;
Co-ordinate and submit responses utilising the on line planning
system;
Assist with the facilitation of protected landscape planning training
and other support for community groups, officers and councillors;
Assist in the sourcing of material to use as evidence to support
planning policy or development management work;
Delivery Development for next business plan period
