Object
Proposed Submission Core Strategy
Representation ID: 20592
Received: 13/09/2011
Respondent: High Weald AONB Unit
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? Yes
Duty to co-operate? Not specified
The duty on local authorities is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) and this terminology should be consistently used
Under main paragraph of the policy text the phrase "and wherever possible " is contrary to the statutory duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 which places a duty under section 85 on Councils to have regard to the purposes of the AONB designation, the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty. There is no justification for a caveat on when or where enhancement of the natural beauty of an AONB is possible, it is a direction to be followed at all times. Similarly "ensuring the protection" should read "ensuring the conservation" using the same terminolgy as the objective at 17.8 of the plan.