Agenda item

To provide further information on the review of the AONB Management Plan.

The report was presented by the Llŷn AONB Officer.

 

A reminder was given that an initial discussion on the Management Plan had taken place at the last meeting of the Joint Committee, held on 26 November 2024. An update was given that a Guide had been updated and published by Land Use Consultants on behalf of Natural Resources Wales on how to prepare and review Management Plans. It was emphasised that consultation with AONB residents and stakeholders was crucial. It was noted that this was a lengthy guide and that Welsh and English summaries were in hand but had not yet been published. Attention was drawn to the fact that the main steps to be taken in creating and producing a management plan included:

 

·       Assessing the latest information about the area's features

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

·       Reviewing the Aims/Objectives and Policies of the Plan

·       Creating a new action plan for the Management Plan period

·       Reviewing the Strategic Environmental Assessment / Habitats Regulations.

 

It was noted that a Report on State of the Llŷn AONB has been commissioned by the AONB Unit in 2021, with copies having recently been circulated to Joint Committee members. Attention was drawn to some observations received in light of this, such as:

 

·       Why the report was English only

·       A lack of information on some matters such as climate change, landscape, welfare, pollution and biodiversity.

·       No reference to the Shoreline Management Plan.

·       That more recent information was now available on some matters such as agriculture.

·       It would be useful to see how other plans tied in as part of the content of the revised Management Plan such as the Local Development Plan, Gwynedd and Môn Welfare Assessment and the North-West Area Statement.

·       That the State Report needed to align with the new guide commissioned by NRW

 

It was explained that the intention was to amend and update the State Report to obtain an accurate picture of the area and pressure on the environment. Assurance was given that both a Welsh and English version were being prepared. It was noted that the intention was for this revised report to be published by November 2025.

 

A reminder was given that no amendments had been made to the Special Features for the AONB but that members had formed a new vision at the last meeting of this Joint Committee, namely:

 

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 a good state, local businesses succeeding and Llŷn AONB communities maintaining and strengthening the Welsh language and its culture.

 

An update was given that officers had sought members' opinions regarding what the controversial matters were in relation to the AONB's features, for these to be incorporated into the Management Plan and present a summary of these observations and officers' response to them.

 

It was reported that officers would amend the objectives and policies of the current Management Plan to ensure that they were up to date. It was explained that it was likely that new policies would need to be introduced in light of observations and also to respond effectively to new and emerging challenges. Attention was also drawn to an Action Programme over a 5-year period which is part of the current Management Plan, confirming that most items within this had now been completed. It was noted that this document could possibly be amended for the next period with new activities whilst ensuring that anything already on the list was also noted for this period.

 

During the discussion, the following observations were noted:

 

A sense of pride was noted that this Joint Committee had a role to play in the development of the Plan. Officers were asked to ensure that the Joint Committee was central to decisions, and whether Joint Committee members would agree to share e-mail addresses so that wider considerations could take place beyond this meeting. In response, the AONB Officer confirmed that officers would seek guidance on this matter to ensure that everybody's e-mail addresses could be shared in accordance with data protection regulations.

 

Several ideas of partners that could enrich the plan were shared such as Menter Iaith Gwynedd, GwyrddNi and Cylch yr Iaith along with some matters that require a response within the plan such as Housing Assessments and Article 4 Direction within planning. Consideration was also given to asking for the opinion of the local Community Councils for the State Report to which the AONB Officer replied that the Report would be produced based merely on facts about the AONB features confirming that there would be an opportunity to discuss with councils and individuals at a later stage in the development process.

 

Responding to an enquiry, the AONB Officer gave reassurance that the Welsh language and its culture were central considerations when dealing with all aspects of the Plan.

 

In response to the query, the AONB Officer explained the need to establish two documents, as the State of the AONB Plan included vital information obtained from censuses or from partners such as Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) or Natural Resources Wales, whilst the Management Plan responded to any emerging challenges, with the community having the opportunity to make observations once the draft plan had been produced.

 

            DECISION

 

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

·       To support the intention to update the State of the AONB Report and continue with the work of reviewing the Management Plan.