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South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
AONB Partnership Committee Meeting
to be held at
10.30am on Friday 17th June 2011
at
Follaton House (Repton Room)
Agenda & Papers
South Devon AONB Staff Unit, Follaton House, Totnes, TQ9 5NE
Telephone 01803-861384 e-mail enquiries@southdevonaonb.org.uk
South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
AONB Partnership Committee Membership
Members nominated by local authorities
South Hams District Council Cllr Rosemary Rowe
Cllr Richard Foss
(officer advising: Ross Kennerley)
Devon County Council Cllr Roger Croad
Cllr Jonathan Hawkins
(officer advising: Peter Chamberlain)
Torbay Council Cllr Mark Kingscote
(officer advising: Tracy Brooks)
Plymouth City Council Richard Bara
Members nominated by statutory agencies & other agencies
Environment Agency Paul Sadler
Natural England Cathy Fitzroy
National Trust David Ford
Members appointed at the AONB Annual Conference
Landowning/farming community Richard Foss
Business community Trevor Lethbridge
Environmental organisations (NGOs) Sally Hope Johnson
Community/voluntary groups John Peters
Parish Councils Val Mercer
AONB Unit staff attending
AONB Manager Robin Toogood
AONB Administration and Information Officer Sarah Porter
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Agenda
Item 1 Changes to Partnership Committee membership: introductions &
apologies for absence
Item 2 Minutes of last Partnership Committee meeting (1st April 2011) – Page 4
for approval - and any matters arising
Item 3 Natural Environment White Paper Page 7
Item 4 South Devon AONB Landscape Projects and Initiatives Page 11
Item 5 AONB National and Regional Activities Page 13
Item 6 Planning and development issues Page 14
Item 7 AONB Management Services: Adapting to Change Page 19
Item 8 “Round the table”: any verbal updates from Partnership Committee Verbal
members updates
Item 9 Arrangements for the next Partnership Committee meeting (16th Discussion
September)
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Agenda Item 2
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
SOUTH DEVON AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY
PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE
HELD AT FOLLATON HOUSE, TOTNES
st
ON FRIDAY 1 APRIL 2011
1. INTRODUCTIONS & APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Those present were:
Richard Foss (Chairman) Representative: farming/landowning community
Cllr Rosemary Rowe (Vice Chairman) South Hams District Council
Simon Dunsford Natural England
Cllr Roger Croad Devon County Council
Cllr Jonathan Hawkins Devon County Council
Peter Chamberlain Devon County Council
Ken Carter South Hams District Council
Tracy Brooks Torbay Council
David Ford National Trust
Tracy Reeve Environment Agency
Trevor Lethbridge Representative: business community
Sally Hope Johnson Representative: environmental organisations
John Peters Representative: community/voluntary groups
Val Mercer Representative: parish councils
Robin Toogood AONB Manager
Nicky Bailey AONB 50th Anniversary Project Organiser
Roger English AONB Project Officer
Sarah Porter AONB Administration & Information Officer
Apologies for absence were received from:
Paul Sadler Environment Agency
Cllr Michael Hicks South Hams District Council
Cllr Christine Carter Torbay Council
2. MINUTES OF THE LAST PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING (17th SEPTEMBER 2010)
AND ANY MATTERS ARISING
2.1 The minutes of the AONB Partnership Committee meeting held on 21st January 2011 were
accepted as a true and correct record.
3. MINUTES OF THE LAST AONB CORE FUNDING GROUP MEETING (22nd MARCH 2011)
3.1 When discussing the minutes of the last Core Funding Group meeting it was reported that a
positive discussion was had when planning how best to respond to the changing financial climate.
3.2 Members noted that a new four year Memorandum of Agreement template has been received from
Defra and that officers are pursuing the necessary arrangements for its renewal and adoption.
4. AONB 50th ANNIVERSARY PROGRAMME: “SHOWCASE” REPORT AND FUTURE LEGACY
4.1 Following a presentation highlighting the activities of the 50th Anniversary year Members were
asked to consider how the work should be taken forward in the future. In discussion the following
suggestions were noted:
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Extend the wild flower project to include invasive species;
Take on volunteers to help with work;
Instigate projects and activities and then facilitate others to take them over (Kingsbridge
Information Centre taking on the Walking Festival is a good example of this);
Extend work with schools using different themes e.g. water, woodland, and landscape. Funding
for education work is quite achievable;
Recognise that schools are a gateway into the wider community: other opportunities include
working with youth and drama groups;
Look to exhibit the photo competition photos at other venues.
4.2 It was highlighted that the 50th Anniversary activities have made raised the profile of the AONB to
the community and have proved to be a huge success.
4.3 The Partnership Committee:
a) Noted the success of the 50th Anniversary year;
b) Expressed thanks to the AONB Team, in particular Nicky Bailey and Sarah Scaife, for their work
throughout the year.
5. THE WATER FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE: PRESENTATION BY TRACY REEVE OF THE
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
5.1 Tracy Reeve from the Environment Agency gave a presentation about the implementation of the
Water Framework Directive which seeks to improve the ecology of rivers, lakes and coastal waters,
and to achieve more naturally functioning water bodies, high quality habitats for wildlife, and ‘good’
status by 2015.
5.2 Tracy reported that the role of the Tidal Waters Team is to produce Implementation Plans for the
estuaries. Robin will investigate how to get copies of the plans that are local to the area.
5.3 Following the presentation Tracy answered a number of questions and agreed to pass on to her
colleagues the questions that were more relevant to them.
5.4 The Partnership Committee expressed thanks to Tracy for attending and presenting at the meeting.
6. DEVELOPING OUR APPROACH TO LAND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS
6.1 Members were asked to consider the approaches the AONB Unit could take to progress a new
activity theme on land management. The following suggestions were made:
The AONB Unit could help with the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) schemes by providing
feedback on the ground. Worthwhile to have maps of where the current agri-environment
agreements are.
Assist small farms with applying for Stewardship schemes;
Look for opportunities to take on volunteers;
Pursue a project which tackles invasive species;
Look for projects with farm owners whose farms don’t fulfil HLS criteria but still have a wide range
of biodiversity;
Look at joining Dartmoor and the AONB to improve corridors;
Assist people with Entry Level Stewardship Schemes encouraging them to be more
environmentally aware;
Link key Devon habitats and species together, i.e. Hedges, Brown Hare, Cirl Bunting, Greater
Horseshoe Bat;
It would be useful if the AONB could express a clear vision in relation to assisting with land
management / stewardship schemes and then facilitate them through information sharing,
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
training, pulling together the different partners and land managers and assist them to get
together. Having a clear vision delivery tool also makes it easier to pull in funding;
Generate awareness about the Campaign for the Farmed Environment amongst land managers
and farmers;
Be aware of the land management duties and roles of other organisations and local authorities
and be careful not to duplicate work, also be aware that there might be only so much the AONB
Unit can do;
The atlas work could provide evidence of where land management linkages could be made;
Look at the different categories of land ownership, e.g. public / voluntary / commercial / non
commercial, and establish what’s being done and what needs to be done;
Generate awareness amongst the non commercial smaller land owners to avoid inappropriate
use of land.
6.2 The AONB Manager thanked Members for their helpful ideas, advice and suggestions on
opportunities for new land management project work, which will be built in to future project planning
and funding bid development.
7. ROUND THE TABLE UPDATES
7.1 Trevor reported that he has been approached about chipping 100 acres of larch trees in South
Devon due to them becoming infected with phytophthera disease. Advice is needed about
replanting.
7.2 Tracy reported that the planning application appeal for the development at Wall Park in Brixham is
coming up soon. Tracy also reported that there are significant changes to the planning system
pending, particularly with a new emphasis on encouraging economic growth. In relation to this,
after the meeting Tracy provided the following links which provide more information –
Department for Communities and Local Government press release on ‘Planning and the Budget’
(March 2011) - http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/newsroom/word/1871051.doc
Minister of State for Decentralisation, Mr. Greg Clark, on ‘Planning for Growth’ (23 March 2011):
http://www.communities.gov.uk/statements/corporate/
Tracy suggested it may be useful to have a discussion / presentation about the changes to the
planning system at a future Partnership meeting.
7.3 Cllr Rowe highlighted an application for development at White Rock that includes creating a
footpath through a farmer’s land.
7.4 Val reported that Moor Trees (http://www.moortrees.org/) provides trees for organised landscape
projects.
7.5 Ken reported that he will be retiring at Easter. News about his successor is awaited.
7.6 On behalf of the AONB Partnership Richard Foss expressed thanks to Ken and Simon for their
valuable contribution over the years.
8. NEXT MEETING
8.1 Members were reminded of the remaining programme of Partnership Committee meeting dates for
2011:
Friday 17th June
Friday 16th September
Friday 2nd December
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Agenda Item 3
Natural Environment White Paper
Purpose of the report
1. This item will provide a short briefing on the Government White Paper on the Natural Environment,
published on 8th June, and identify where there might be implications for the South Devon AONB.
Recent Government legislation and policy initiatives
2. The AONB Office is currently digesting a series of important government policy statements and
government-commissioned studies, which will have implications for the future of AONB management.
These are:
the new Government White Paper on the natural environment: “The Natural Choice: Securing the
Value of Nature” (published this week);
the major study commissioned by Defra called “The UK National Ecosystem Assessment”;
(published a few days ago)
these two documents follow the major study commissioned by Defra called “Making Space for
Nature” published last September (the “Lawton Report”) – and the Government’s response to the
report published last week.
Implications for the South Devon AONB
3. The AONB team will be working on these documents to identify and highlight where there are
implications for the AONB and its management.
4. Some explanatory material copied form the Defra website is attached as appendix 1 and 2.
5. A short presentation will be given to the Partnership Committee meeting.
Recommendation
6. The Partnership Committee is recommended to:
a) receive a short presentation about these policy initiatives at its meeting
b) consider the implications of these documents for the AONB
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Appendix 1: Natural Environment White Paper
Material taken from the Defra website:
Natural Environment White Paper
The Natural Environment White Paper is a bold and ambitious statement outlining the Government’s
vision for the natural environment over the next 50 years, backed up with practical action to deliver that
ambition.
Nature is sometimes taken for granted and undervalued. But people cannot flourish without the benefits
and services our natural environment provides. A healthy, properly functioning natural environment is the
foundation of sustained economic growth, prospering communities and personal wellbeing.
You can read the White Paper and press release.
Alongside the White Paper, the Government has published its response to the Lawton Review. The
Review, Making Space for Nature, found that nature in England is highly fragmented and unable to
respond effectively to new pressures, such as climate and population change. The Government’s response
reflects evidence in the National Ecosystem Assessment, and builds on outcomes of the Convention on
Biological Diversity in Nagoya in October 2010.
White Paper themes
Protecting and improving our natural environment
We will work to improve the quality of our natural environment and will aim to halt the decline in
habitats and species, degradation of landscapes and erosion of natural capital. We will achieve this
through more joined-up action at local and national level to create an ecological network resilient to
changing pressures.
Growing a green economy
Protected natural areas can yield returns many times higher than the cost of their protection. There are
multi-million pound opportunities available from greener goods and services, and from markets
protecting nature’s services. We will create a green economy, in which economic growth and the health
of our natural resources sustain each other, and markets, business and Government better reflect the value
of nature.
Reconnecting people and nature
We recognize the huge benefits that we all get through contact with nature and how it helps our well-
being through its positive impact on mental and physical health, improves education, encourages social
activity and reduces crime. In return, voluntary activity can enrich the natural environment, as can well-
informed choices by shoppers, householders and gardeners. We will work to reconnect people with our
fantastic natural environment and ensure fairer access.
International and EU leadership
We will show environmental leadership internationally and within the EU, to protect and enhance natural
assets globally, promoting environmentally and socially sustainable growth. We will advance
internationally the approach and principles set out in this white paper.
New Initiatives in the White Paper
Find out more about some new initiatives announced in the White Paper:
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Local Nature Partnerships – strategic partnerships of organisations that work to create a shared vision for their area and
deliver better, more integrated, environmental outcomes.
Testing a new voluntary approach to biodiversity offsetting in a number of pilot areas
Nature Improvement Areas
Working together
We all need to work together to deliver the ambitions in the White Paper. Government, devolved
administrations, the Government’s environmental bodies, businesses, land managers, civil society
organisations, local government and communities and individual citizens can all play their part – find out
more (PDF).
Local area trailblazers
Local area trailblazers are examples of local councils working in partnership with other organisations and
across traditional boundaries to get the best possible natural environment outcomes for their local people
and places. Read a summary of local area trailblazers (PDF) and the local area trailblazers in more detail
(PDF).
Appendix 2: UK National Ecosystem Assessment
Material taken from the Defra website:
UK National Ecosystem Assessment
The UK National Ecosystem Assessment (UK NEA) is the first analysis of the UK’s natural environment
in terms of the benefits it provides to society and our continuing economic prosperity.
The project has produced an independent and peer-reviewed assessment of the state and value of the
UK’s natural environment and ecosystem services, identifying what has driven change observed in the
natural environment and the services it has provided over the last 60 years, and what may drive change in
the future. It includes an investigation into the monetary and non-monetary value to the economy, society
and individuals from various ecosystem services, including how some of these may change in future.
Over 500 UK scientists and economists have been involved in the assessment which was funded by the
governments of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and by the Natural Environment
Research Council and the Economic and Social Science Research council and cost £1.3m.
The assessment provides values for a range of services we gain from nature to help us fully understand
the worth of the natural environment and how the benefits to individuals and society as a whole can be
better protected and preserved for future generations. It stresses the need for a more collaborative
approach to enhancing our environment, with everyone playing their part to capture more of nature’s
benefits.
The six key findings of the assessment are:
The natural world, its biodiversity and its constituent ecosystems are critically important to our well-
being and economic prosperity, but are consistently undervalued in conventional economic analyses
and decision making.
Ecosystems and ecosystem services, and the ways people benefit from them, have changed markedly
in the past 60 years, driven by changes in society.
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
The UK’s ecosystems are currently delivering some services well, but others are still in long-term
decline.
The UK population will continue to grow, and its demands and expectations continue to evolve. This
is likely to increase pressures on ecosystem services in a future where climate change will have an
accelerating impact both here and in the world at large.
Actions taken and decisions made now will have consequences far into the future for ecosystems,
ecosystem services and human well-being. It is important that these are understood, so that we can
make the best possible choices, not just for society now but also for future generations.
A move to sustainable development will require an appropriate mixture of regulations, technology,
financial investment and education, as well as changes in individual and societal behaviour and
adoption of a more integrated, rather than conventional sectoral, approach to ecosystem management.
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Agenda Item 4
South Devon AONB Landscape Projects and Initiatives
Purpose of the report
1. This item provides a briefing on some of the landscape projects and initiatives currently being
undertaken or developed by the AONB Office and our various partner organisations.
Community landscape mapping project
2. The AONB 50th Anniversary programme over the last year-and-a-half involved a wide range of
community activities about landscape awareness, expressed through photography, art, historic
research, exhibitions, music, events, training courses, voice recordings, wildlife surveys and so on.
Much of this has been uploaded to the AONB anniversary website.
3. Building on these activities and contacts, the AONB office proposes to take this forward into a new
phase of pilot and experimental projects, which will aim to link the creative, celebratory and
community based landscape activities with a more structured and organised mapping framework.
4. To do this, we are developing a closer partnership with the Sharpham Trust, which is helping us
understand the potential for using free Google Earth mapping as a “platform” for working with
communities on landscape survey and awareness projects.
5. We will also be taking this forward through the “CORDIALE” project, a partnership of South West
AONBs and French Parcs Natural Regionaux, assisted by EU Interreg and Devon County Council
funding. South Devon AONB is hosting a training event for participants at Sharpham on June 21st.
6. The AONB office is also preparing a further Heritage Lottery Fund application to help us roll out the
project.
7. The AONB Manager will give a short presentation about this to the AONB Partnership Committee
meeting.
AONB landscape “atlas”
.
8. The AONB has been working with other Devon AONBs and Devon County Council to publish a set of
AONB “atlases” which will bring together and clearly present information and data about the AONBs
using maps, tables, photos and short text boxes. The atlases will be published on the AONB
websites shortly and will help to provide a useful resource for future project work, Management Plan
review, and further study.
9. The final phase of design and collation is in progress, being undertaken by design contractors
Diwana Creative, with data manipulation by the University of Plymouth, and text writing by freelance
contractor Kate West, all coordinated by the South Devon AONB Project Officer.
10. An example of the work in progress will be shown at the AONB Partnership Committee meeting.
National landscape initiatives
11. Natural England is also working on landscape initiatives in partnership with the National Association
of AONBs and the local AONB offices;
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
12. This work includes the development of a protected landscape monitoring framework to track changes
in the condition of England’s National Parks and AONBs. This is accompanied by the preparation of
landscape character profiles and objectives for each of England’s “character areas”.
The Brixham “fringe” and the Kingswear “peninsula”
13. The landscape study of the AONB countryside around the Brixham urban area is nearing completion
and will be circulated in the next few days. This has been led by the AONB office in partnership with
Torbay Council and Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, with the study commissioned from
landscape specialists Enderby Associates.
14. This study will provide an important evidence base to inform the forthcoming Torbay Core Strategy
and the Brixham Neighbourhood Plan, and assist in managing the many conflicting land use
pressures around the town.
15. However, the report has also identified a number of practical project opportunities to improve the
landscape and habitats, and to develop better linkages with the fine network of paths, trails and
recreational opportunities south of Brixham in the “Kingswear peninsula”. The AONB Office is
therefore in discussion with the National Trust, the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, and the
local authorities, to investigate how these projects can best be progressed. We are working out how
a major funding bid might be worked up.
Recommendation
16. The AONB Partnership Committee is asked to:
a) consider and endorse the range of landscape initiatives being progressed by the AONB office
and its partners;
b) advise on any other ideas about how the work should be taken forward in future and advise the
AONB Manager accordingly.
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Agenda Item 5
AONB National and Regional Activities
Purpose of the report
1. This briefing draws attention to activities undertaken by the national and regional “family” of AONBs.
National Association of AONBs
2. The 49 AONBs of England, Wales and Northern Ireland work together as a “family” through their
membership of the National Association of AONBs. Our annual subscription to the Association pays
for two part time national staff members, who undertake very valuable work on our behalf. This
includes:
regular meetings with Ministers and government officials;
supporting the recent ministerial visit to the South Devon AONB by Richard Benyon MP;
developing a new national framework of agreement and funding arrangement for AONBs;
responding to consultations on government policy and legislation;
organising the annual national AONB conference;
publishing the magazine “Outstanding”.
South West Protected Landscapes Forum
3. The 12 AONBs and two National Parks of South West England work together through their
membership of the South West Protected Landscapes Forum. Our subscription pays towards a
regional coordinator who leads a range of important activities, including:
coordinating the EU-funded CORDIALE landscape project for SW AONBs and French Parcs
Natural Regionaux;
bringing together working groups on specialist topics including planning and communications;
developing further collaborative projects and funding bids such as a regional woodland wildlife
initiative;
working increasingly closely with the National Association of AONBs.
Future priorities
4. The AONB Association and South West Protected Landscapes Forum will be focusing on some
important priorities over the next few months:
further developing relationships with Defra ministers and officials;
reviewing with Defra the model for distributing government funding to AONBs;
working with Natural England on the protected landscapes monitoring framework;
developing a new business plan and funding model for the National Association;
exploring with Defra whether government will produce a new position statement on AONBs.
Recommendation
5. It is recommended that the Partnership Committee notes the national and regional activities
undertaken by AONBs and gives further consideration to this at future meetings.
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Agenda Item 6
Planning and Development Issues
Purpose of the report
1. This report provides an update on the AONB office involvement in the planning system.
Planning applications
2. The recent planning applications involving input and comment by the AONB office are listed for
information in the attached appendix 3.
Brixham AONB Landscape Study
3. This project was referred to already above on page 12. However, attention is drawn to the
opportunity to link this to the proposed “Neighbourhood Plan” to be developed by Brixham Town
Council with Torbay Council, under the provisions of the government’s new approach to localism in
planning.
Government “pro-growth” approach to planning
4. In March the government’s budget was accompanied by the announcement of a clear change of
emphasis for the planning system, aimed at promoting growth and reducing the barriers to
development. The announcement included the following:
Extract from circular from Department for Communities and Local Government March 2011:
A new presumption in favour of sustainable development
This is a powerful new principle underpinning the planning system that will help to ensure that the default answer to
development and growth is “yes” rather than “no”, except where this would clearly compromise the key sustainable
development principles in national planning policy, including protecting the Green Belt and Areas of Outstanding
Natural Beauty. The presumption will give developers, communities and investors greater certainty about the types
of applications that are likely to be approved, and will help to speed up the planning process and encourage
growth. A draft wording of the presumption will be published for consultation in May 2011.
A pro-growth national policy planning policy statement
Vast amounts of paperwork and bureaucracy have made the planning system too cumbersome and complicated
for councils, developers and local people to use properly. This has acted as a brake on growth and development.
The Government intends to bring clarity to the system by combining all national planning policies into one concise,
easy to use document called the National Planning Policy Framework. It will contain the Government’s key
economic, social and environmental objectives and planning policies to deliver them. At the heart of the framework
will be the presumption in favour of sustainable development. The framework will be published for consultation later
this year with the aim of finalising it by the end of 2011, if that is possible.
Immediately prioritising growth and jobs
Some reforms to the planning system will take time to deliver. But local authorities can start immediately prioritising
growth in the decisions that they take locally. The Government has today made clear its expectation that every
council should be firmly on the front foot in encouraging and supporting growth. Local authorities should be
pressing ahead without delay in preparing up-to-date development plans which set out the opportunities for growth
in their areas. Councils must ensure they are not imposing any unnecessary burdens in the way of development.
Where development has stalled, councils should be open to reviewing section 106 agreements at the request of
developers, and look at making possible amendments to get growth underway. Section 106 agreements require
developers to make contributions to the cost of related infrastructure such as new schools and roads.
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
5. Partnership Committee members will note that this is a rapidly moving agenda, and that it is far from
clear how the balance will be struck between saying “yes” to development and protecting the
nationally important landscapes of the AONBs. This matter will require further consideration from the
AONB Partnership in future.
Recommendation
6. The Partnership Committee is recommended to:
a) note the report on planning and development issues;
b) give further consideration to the new planning framework as details become clearer.
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Appendix 3: Update on Planning and Development Issues
This provides an update on matters relating to recent South Devon AONB office involvement in development
and the planning system, as at June 2011.
The AONB area incorporates four planning authorities (South Hams, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth).
Planning applications – responses made
The AONB Manager has submitted comments on the following planning applications since September 2010:
Down Thomas village (near Plymouth boundary): proposal to build 30 dwellings;
AONB office response (December 2010): objection;
Outcome: application refused January 2011.
Appeal lodged.
Greenway (overlooking River Dart): construction of new dwelling;
AONB office response (December 2010): objection;
Outcome: application refused January 2011.
Salcombe: major alterations to Salcombe Harbour Hotel;
AONB office response (February 2011): support;
Outcome: initial application withdrawn. Revised application awaiting decision.
Challabough beach: proposed coast defences for house;
AONB office response (January 2011): holding objection (lack of information);
Outcome: application withdrawn January 2011.
Revised application refused May 2011.
Thurlestone Sands beach: proposed coast defences for house;
AONB office response (October 2010): no objection;
Outcome: application approved October 2010.
Brixham: proposed redevelopment of former Wall Park holiday camp for housing
AONB office response (November 2010): no objection, subject to conditions;
Outcome: application refused .
Appeal enquiry due June 2011.
Brixham: phase 5 of major housing development at Sharkham Village (amendment)
AONB office response: no objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Brixham: redevelopment of former Torbay Holiday Chalet site
AONB office response (March 2011): objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Brixham: Berry Head Hotel additional apartments etc
AONB office response (January 2011): no objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Loddiswell: Coldharbour Farm wind turbine
AONB office response (February 2011): no objection;
Outcome: application approved February 2011.
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Loddiswell/Churchstow: Higher Hatch Farm conversion of farm buildings to residential
AONB office response (February 2011): holding objection (seeking clarification on siting of
replacement farm buildings);
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Stoke Gabriel: Rowes Farm housing development
AONB office response (February 2011): no objection, subject to conditions;
Outcome: application approved March 2011.
Kingston: Highland Farm new slurry store
AONB office response (May 2011): no objection;
Outcome: approved April 2011.
Malborough: Demolition of Church Institute Hall etc
AONB office response (March 2011): no objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
New England Quarry, Lee Mill: “Resource Recovery Centre”
AONB office response (May 2011): objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Avonwick: construction of 33 dwellings
AONB office response (May 2011): no objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Stoke Fleming: construction of 24 dwellings
AONB office response (May 2011): no objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Hope Cove: Sun Bay Hotel redevelopment
AONB office response (May 2011): holding objection (seeking evidence of need for scale of
proposed new building);
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Soar Mill: Soar Mill Cove Hotel additional apartments etc
AONB office response (May 2011): no objection, subject to conditions;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Brixham – additional holiday chalets and housing at Riviera Bay Holiday Park
AONB office response (May 2011): objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
Bolberry: Port Light Hotel redevelopment
AONB office response (June 2011): no objection, subject to conditions;
Outcome: awaiting decision.
River Dart near Greenway: Maypool Boathouse
AONB office response (May 2011): no objection, subject to conditions;
Outcome: awaiting decision
.
Frogmore: horse stables
AONB office response (June 2011): objection;
Outcome: awaiting decision
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Planning applications involving waterside sites – technical advice on habitat/ecology
issues
The AONB estuaries officer has provided recent input to 12 applications adjoining estuaries, covering
ecological issues, construction environment management plans etc
South Hams Local Development Framework
The AONB Manager provided written submissions to the “Examination in Public” held in November, at which
the Planning Inspector considered the housing and employment land allocations in the South Hams Local
Development Framework. The AONB office submissions raised objections to four of the proposals, and the
results were:
Kingsbridge: employment site at Leigh Cross
Result: site deleted from the programme by Inspector.
Stoke Gabriel: housing site, Paignton Road
Result: development reduced in size by Inspector.
Salcombe: housing/employment site at Batson Cross
Result: site approved by Inspector.
Loddiswell: housing site
Result: site approved by Inspector.
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
Agenda Item 7
AONB Management Services: Adapting to Change
Purpose of the report
1. At recent meetings of the AONB Partnership Committee and Core Funding Group, members have
been briefed on the political, financial and organisational changes affecting AONB services and their
various sponsoring and partnership agencies.
2. This paper gives an update on the situation, and proposes some specific areas for further
investigation.
Areas for adaptation and new working
3. The budget and working arrangements for the AONB Unit for the current financial year (2011-2012)
are settled. Although the overall budget has been reduced, this has been accommodated and
planned for without needing radical change in the immediate short term. This provides a reasonably
stable platform from which to plan how to manage the more significant changes that will impact
increasingly over the following three years – particularly as funding pressures become more evident.
4. The five Devon AONB services have been working together to identify opportunities for income
generation, efficiency savings and further collaboration between services. The Devon AONB
managers have met together with their host authorities and short-listed eight areas for further
detailed investigation.
These are:
i. to review and update the “governance” of each AONB
involves reviewing partnership and working arrangements
involves adopting new Terms of Reference this autumn
involves adopting a new Memorandum of Agreement covering funding etc by January
ii. to investigate options for relocating office premises
involves exploring availability of alternative premises if significant cost savings can be achieved
needs to be suitable, possibly co-locating with a community or environmental organisation
iii. to evaluate changing host authority
is relevant for some AONBs, but not considered appropriate to South Devon AONB
iv. to evaluate other delivery mechanisms
involve exploring whether some kind of alternative or additional organisational structure could be
a suitable long-term suitable course for AONB services
could involve a trust, a community interest company, or a public/private hybrid arrangement
v. to evaluate opportunities for sharing staff and services
could include sharing the way AONBs deliver input on planning, data management,
communications, ecology, management plan reviews, archaeology, fundraising, project
development, IT, managers, admin, finance
vi. to investigate potential for sharing/improving procurement of outside services
could include more cost effective ways of buying in services such as IT, design, web hosting,
transport, data monitoring etc
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South Devon AONB Partnership Committee Meeting 17th June 2011
vii. new income generation
Includes grants, fees, selling services, project funding, sponsorship etc.
Includes scope for collaborative work using skills in AONB services and host authorities
viii. strengthen political mandate
need to build a stronger platform of local political and partnership support following local elections
and organisational change
5. The task of progressing these initiatives has been split between the Devon AONB managers and we
will be working on these over the coming weeks and months.
Conclusion
6. Addressing this adaptation plan is going to be a significant challenge over the coming year. As the
eight “tasks” are investigated, the AONB Manager will report back to the Partnership Committee with
the findings and any recommendations.
Recommendation
7. It is recommended that the Partnership Committee considers and endorses the areas for adaptation
outlined above, and advises the AONB Manager accordingly.
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