Decision details

The report of the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health outlined the process through which the High Weald National Landscape Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan 2024/29 had been prepared and recommended its adoption.   Tonbridge and Malling contained a small area of this AONB to the south of Tonbridge which accounted for less than 1% of the total area.

Cabinet had due regard to the financial and value for considerations and legal implications and noted that failure to adopt the High Weald AONB Management Plan would mean that the Borough Council would be in breach of the CRoW Act 2000, which could lead to funding sanctions from Natural England.  It was also noted that the agreed Tonbridge and Malling financial contribution for the High Weald Joint Advisory Committee for the next three years from 2024/25 was £1545.

RESOLVED: That

(1)             the High Weald National Landscape Management Plan 2024/29 be adopted as a material planning consideration; and

(2)             preparation of the High Weald National Landscape Management Plan 2024/29 be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning, to make further minor changes during the adoption process.