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

Representation Summary:

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

Full text:

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.