NAAONB Conference 2008 Review of 2007/8 Mike Taylor

1. NAAONB Conference 2008 Review of 2007/8 Mike Taylor

2. ChangingLandscapes 2007Major Drivers • Climate Change • Changes to Planning Systems • Changes to Agricultural Support • Organisational Changes

3. Climate Change • Now working with NPs and DEFRA on how the Climate Change Bill should be implemented in AONBs/NPs. • Arguing for better guidance on how to measure impact of change and adaptation. Still lots ambiguity. DEFRA recognise need for new methodologies.

4. Climate Change • Windfarms still high on agenda for AONBs. • Issue of sites on fringes on AONBs presents difficulties for us. Recent experience in North Devon suggests HMG and PI will not recognise importance of “borrowed landscape” • In future there may be pressure for major developments within AONBs and NPs . We need to be prepared with good arguments about the National Interest. Main partners likely to be CPRE/CPRW • Position Statement on Renewables is first step

5. Planning System • On one hand HMG recognised importance AONBs in some changes to GDO but- • Changes linked top climate change and renewable energy is disappointment , Government response to consultation not strong on logic!

6. Planning System • Need to keep on top of raft of consultations promised in next few months to ensure AONBs recognised as critically important Protected Areas • Some positive moves re. Section 85 and telecom. Operators

7. Planning • Growing interest in Air traffic and impact AONBs. Mainly in SE but growing. • Association invited to work with CAA and others such as NE and CPRE to improve methodology to assess impact.

8. Agriculture • Association still working at national level to secure best deal for agriculture in AONBs • CAP Health Check important consultation setting basis for 2010 review. • Also working in partnership wide group to set out stall for 2010 Review and 2013 RDP. Target is EU and HMG • Focus currently on UELS and impact of changes to Hill Farming support. Could be catastrophic • Regionally AONBs working with NE on targeting HLS

9. Parliament and Legislation • Marine Bill- working with Europarc and other partners . Aim is to ensure importance of sea and landscapes recognised in Bill. • Assoc. working with DEFRA/NE on the access to coast • Supported the APPG . With two meetings one to discuss Wirescapes other access for disabled groups.

10. Parliament and Legislation • Lord Renton sponsored a useful debate on AONBs which enabled Ministers to reaffirm HMG’s commitment to designation. • Martin Caton ‘s two early day motions re. wires and AONBs attracted support from MPs

11. New developments and partnerships • Association working closely NE on new basis for partnership between NE and AONBs • Working with NPs in Wales ( WANPA) to strengthen links between AONBs and NPs • Outdoor Health Forum and health agenda Membership Rural Services Network • Growing interest in new AONBs

12. Organisation Changes • Need for new ways of thinking how best to protect nationally designated and internationally important landscapes such as AONBs s e able to operate effectively at all levels, to ensure AONBs flourish as nationally important assets. • Proposals in Sub-National Economic Development Strategy raise concerns about balance and position of national designated areas.

13. Organisational Changes • One disappointment was abortive Ministerial initiative to get Regional Ministers together to discuss AONBs and NPs. • . Still in “phoney war” as far as major review of designations by Government • . • "

14. Internal Organisational work • Major review of Constitution and governance of NAAONB. • Development new Communications Strategy under way • Production of achievements booklet

15. Funding of National Treasures