Agenda item

To inform members of the initial steps to be taken in the process of reviewing the Management Plan.

The report was submitted by the Llŷn AONB Officer.

 

It was explained that a number of steps needed to be followed when reviewing the Management Plan. It was detailed that this process included:

 

·       Considering the efficiency of the current Plan

·       Considering the latest information about the area's features

·       Taking into account and incorporating information from relevant plans and strategies

·       Reviewing the vision, aims, objectives and policies of the plan

·       Creating a new action plan for the Management Plan period

·       Reviewing the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations.

 

It was elaborated that a Draft Management Plan would be shared with residents of the AONB as well as agencies with the opportunity to comment on its contents. It was emphasised that the Joint Committee had an advisory role throughout the process and residents' comments would be included in a report for the consideration of the Joint Committee.

 

Members were reminded that one of the initial steps of reviewing the Management Plans was to assess the condition of various features to understand if changes had occurred during the previous period. It was detailed that a Report of the Condition of the AONB had been commissioned in 2021 and work was ongoing to gather more up-to-date local information to supplement this report to assist with the development of a Management Plan.

 

Attention was drawn to the features of the Llŷn AONB as defined in the creation of the previous Management Plan, noting that these were not aspects that were likely to change as they were core to the area. It was detailed that the features would not be modified for the new Management Plan, noting that they included:

 

·       Beautiful Landscape and Coast

·       Calm and Clean Environment

·       A Wealth of Wildlife and Habitats

·       The Historic Environment

·       The Welsh Language and Culture

·       People and Close-knit Communities

·       Local Produce and Businesses

·       Access and Rights of Way

 

It was reported that the long-term vision of the AONB was now outdated and a modified vision had been formulated to guide the AONB to 2050. It was detailed that this revised vision was:

 

"An area of beautiful landscape and coast where indigenous wildlife thrives, low levels of environmental pollution and an abundance of public access opportunities. Historic buildings and features in good condition, local businesses succeeding and Llŷn communities maintaining the Welsh language and culture".

 

It was confirmed that it was important to review the policies of the Management Plan, noting that some of these policies would be submitted to the Joint Committee for consideration of appropriate revisions. It was also noted that new policies may be created and these would also be submitted to the Joint Committee.

 

It was reported that a draft timetable of the process of developing a Management Plan would be submitted to the Joint Committee at a meeting in April 2025.

 

Members were asked to contact the officers if they were aware of any issue affecting the features of the Llŷn AONB and to offer ideas for projects that could address those challenges.

 

During the discussion, the following observations were noted:

 

The revised vision up to 2050 was discussed and the following wording for it was suggested:

“... Historic buildings and features in good condition, local businesses succeeding and Llŷn AONB communities maintaining and strengthening the Welsh language and its culture."

 

It was elaborated on the importance of ensuring wildlife habitats were also mentioned within the vision to ensure it received long-term consideration.

 

It was felt that many contentious matters of the previous Management Plan remained relevant in the development of a new Management Plan. The importance of ensuring that the Welsh language was protected within the policies of the Management Plan was noted in order to strengthen it for the future. It was also noted that it was important to consider any contentious matters that had not been resolved within the previous Management Plan period to assess if they could be achieved during the new Plan period considering the resources and capacity of the AONB unit.

 

          DECISION

 

·       To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

·       Amend the wording of the revised long-term vision as follows, and accept it:

o   "A beautiful landscape and coastal area with native wildlife and their habitat flourishing, a low level of environmental pollution and a variety of access and public opportunities. Historic buildings and features in good condition, local businesses succeeding and Llŷn AONB communities maintaining and strengthening the Welsh language and its culture".

·       Circulate a Report of the Condition of the AONB (2021) with Members noting that the information within the report is now slightly out of date.

·       Consider the current Management Plan and contentious matters that have not been resolved at the next meeting.