New Management Plan for the Outstanding North Devon Coast

With ambitious plans to deliver improvements for places, people and wildlife, the updated Management Plan for the North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty is now live. The Plan guides the work of the Partnership of 20 organisations and nine community members to conserve and enhance the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is reviewed every five years to update the challenges and opportunities facing the area. The process involved a review of objectives and policies, debates with local and regional experts and a public consultation process last Autumn.

“This concise new Plan demonstrates the strength of partnership working across the area,” said Steve Mulberry, the AONB Partnership’s Chairman. “It will guide much of the wide-ranging work carried out in the AONB over the next five years and will be a positive tool for those caring for north Devon’s wonderful coastline.”

The AONB Management Plan for 2019-2024 has been formally adopted by the three local planning authorities – North Devon, Torridge and Devon County. The Plan is a material consideration in planning and the policies inform both planning decisions and the priority work areas of the Partnership. An annual delivery plan will be produced to ensure regular review and monitoring of progress.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment said “The natural beauty of the North Devon coast is an asset for everyone to enjoy, respect and care for. We welcome this updated Management Plan with new policies and priorities to benefit wildlife, land managers, local communities and visitors.”

The full report can be downloaded from the AONB website at https://www.northdevoncoast-nl.org.uk/about/management-plan-2019-2024