High Weald AONB Joint Advisory Committee
The High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a a protected landscape at the heart of South East England. It was designated in 1983 for its unique assemblage of rolling hills, small, irregular fields, abundant woods and hedges, scattered farmsteads and sunken lanes.
The High Weald AONB Joint Advisory Committee is a partnership of organisations that works together to achieve the primary purposes of AONB designation - to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB. It also increases understanding and enjoyment by the public of the special qualities of the AONB and seeks to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the AONB.
The Committee is composed of councillors from the 15 local authorities whose areas are covered by the High Weald AONB designation, a Natural England (central government) representative and individuals drawn from other organisations to represent community, recreation, farming, landowning and nature conservation interests.It funds and guides the work of the High Weald AONB Unit; a strategic, specialist team that furthers understanding of the area, advises on its management and enables action to conserve it.
The Unit delivers the following core functions within the context of the High Weald AONB management plan and in accordance with a three-year business strategy agreed by the High Weald AONB Joint Advisory Committee.
Developing a vision and strategy for AONB management
- Preparing, with constituent local authorities, a AONB Management plan as required by the CroW Act
- In the early stages of AONB development, promoting the vision and strategy to distinguish the AONB from adjacent countryside
- Implementing, and co-ordinating implementation by others, the Management Plan
- Monitoring and reporting on progress against management plan targets
- Tapping into advice, and liaison with AONBs at a national level
- Providing planning advice and related activities
- Co-ordinating or advising on local authority services in the AONB, to go beyond the normal level of countryside management
- Accessing resources for undertaking management activities, including external financing, project development and proposals, and providing matching funding for special projects
- Seeking additional funds to assist with delivery of management activity
- Promoting the value of the AONB to the community
- Developing an involvement by the community in the management of the AONB
- Providing an internal management role to coordinate AONB protection
The 2024 Vision for the High Weald Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty is as follows:
- The High Weald is valued by those living, working and visiting the areas a nationally important protected landscape. They support the purpose of AONB designation and the High Weald AONB partnership as advocates for the area.
- Priority areas for funding and support are identified through AON management plans, Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) and locally agreed community plans. Targeting of resources at priority areas has achieved favourable habitat conditions for characteristic and threatened BAP species and habitats; and protection of the historic environment.
- The adoption of river restoration policies maximizing opportunities for natural processes to take place has expanded the functional floodplains along rivers and demonstrated reduction in flooding and increases in biodiversity, water quality, and amenity value.
- An increasing number of households has been accommodated without compromising the characteristic historic settlement pattern. Strong planning policies and a sound understanding of the dynamics of sustainable communities have influenced development. Environmental building technologies have improved the construction of buildings and the High Weald now supports ‘green’ modern designs using local materials.
- Clear guidance has minimized negative impacts of traffic. The network of cycle routes, bridleways and footpaths has been developed to support leisure activities and provide car-free alternatives for well-used routes.
- In woodland, pilot schemes developing local markets for wood to support conservation management, coupled with rising demand for wood fuel and an increasingly skilled workforce, have led to improved confidence in growing high-quality oak and other timbers. Many parishes now support a combined heat and power plant running on local wood, or a small-scale wind turbine.
- Land is managed through diverse activities that are supported and nurtured where they deliver public benefits. Remaining full-time farmers specialize in high-quality products valued by local people. Part time farmers with a second income manage much of the land and support a contracting industry skilled in conservation management. There is a thriving population of small-holders and co-operatives who graze livestock or grow mostly specialist crops.
- The links between people, their communities and businesses, and the land has strengthened. Many residents grow their own food; are involved in small-scale production; have joined community land management initiatives; are employed in small businesses utilizing products from the local landscape; and buy local products. Most residents and visitors enjoy informal and sensitive open-air use of the AONB and benefit from a rich, protected, well-understood and celebrated cultural heritage.
Contact
East Sussex County Council (High Weald AONB Joint Advisory Committee)
Woodland Enterprise Centre, Hastings Road
TN5 7PR Flimwell
England (UK)
Phone: +44-1580-879952
Contact Person: Gerry Sherwin
E-mail address: g.sherwin@highweald.org
www.highweald.org
Fact sheets about the projects ot the High Weald AONB
