Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview and briefly outlines the process through which the High Weald AONB Management Plan has been prepared. It recommends the adoption of the High Weald AONB Management Plan 2024-2029.

Due to its size the Management Plan will be available as a supplement.

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. 

(Decision Notice: D240065CAB)

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.

The Management Plan was a statutory policy document for the whole of the protected landscape and guided local authorities plan and decision making.  It also set a 20-year strategy for everyone who lived in, worked in or visited the High Weald and set out the management policy for conservation and enhancement.

Under the terms of the Countryside  and Rights of Way Act (CRoW) 2000 (part IV Section 89), the Borough Council and other local authorities within the AONBs had a statutory duty to act jointly to prepare and review the Management Plans.  Details of the review process and external consultation undertaken were set out in 1.2.3 of the report.

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.