Suffolk Coast

1
Suffolk Coast Heaths AONB Boundary Variation
Project

• 24 September 2014, David Vose, Jonathan Dix
• Background
• The project to formally consider a variation to
  the boundary of the SCH AONB boundary

2
Suffolk Coast Heaths AONB background to the
proposal

• AONB designation confirmed in 1970
• SCH AONB defined Additional Project Area
• Tendring and Essex joined partnership in 1993
• A long standing aspiration to extend the
  boundary into Essex
• Policy TCR10A in 1993 Tendring Local Plan
• Policy NR3 in 2001 Essex Structure Plan
• LUC undertook boundary work in 2003
• Emerging Tendring Local Plan has Policy PLA5

3
Additional Project Area
4
Making the aspiration a reality

• A long history of representations to Natural
  England and predecessor bodies, culminating in
• Sept 2011 report produced Suffolk Coast
  Heaths AONB Candidate Area Proposal for Boundary
  Variation Alison Farmer Assoc.
• July 2013 proposal that Natural England makes
  an AONB Variation Order to include almost 36 km2
  of land comprising tidal estuary and coastal
  farmland and woodland along the Southern Stour
  valley.
• December 2013 Natural Board approved the
  initiation of a project to determine for itself
  whether the AONB boundary should be varied
• July 2014 Natural England project team
  established

5
Suffolk Coast Heaths AONB Boundary Variation
Project

• Legal framework background
• The task ( guidance)
• Next steps for SCH

6
Legal Framework

• National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act
  1949
• amended for AONBs subsequently, currently
  determined by
• Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

7
Legislation requires Natural England to address
the following

• Does the landscape have sufficient
• natural beauty?
• Is it desirable to designate this landscape as
  AONB?
• Where should the boundary be drawn?

8
Guidance
9
The initial assessment process in summary

• Define Area of Search
• Define an Evaluation area
• Identify Candidate Area which meets the criterion
  for Natural Beauty
• Consider issues relevant to the desirability of
  designation
• Undertake any other required statutory
  assessments (eg possible requirement for SEA
  EqIA)
• Identify draft detailed boundaries within
  Candidate Area
• Undertake consultations including statutory
• Make any required amendments to the proposals and
  boundaries
• Submit to Natural England Board for approval

10
The formal designation process in summary (1)

• ( If Natural England Board approve the
  designation variation)
• Natural England produce draft legal orders (which
  in this case would be to vary the boundary of the
  SCH AONB)
• The draft Order is put on deposit an
  opportunity for anyone wishing to do so to make
  written representations (objecting to, supporting
  or suggesting amendments)
• Following any final amendments, Natural England
  make the legal Orders

11
The formal designation process in summary (2)

• Legal Orders are then submitted to the Secretary
  of State
• SoS may decide to hold a public Inquiry
• SoS may decide to confirm the Orders, with or
  without modifications. She may also decide not to
  confirm the Orders.
• If minded to confirm, a Confirmation Order is
  produced specifies any modifications and when
  any new designation comes into effect
• A period of Notice follows during which anyone
  may challenge the decision

12
Some technical points in a little greater detail
Defining Natural Beauty

• Characterisation and evaluation use landscape
  character assessment techniques to gather
  information in a structured way
• Characterisation divides the landscape to form a
  spatial framework
• Evaluation makes judgements on the value of the
  landscape (for AONBs the value is Natural Beauty)
• However please note Natural Beauty is not
• Landscape character
• Characteristic natural beauty
• Natural landscape untouched by man

13
Character Assessment of Stour Area
14
Natural Beauty Factors and Indicators

• Assessment covers a range of factors and
  indicators which can contribute to high levels of
  natural beauty.such as
• Landscape Quality intactness or incongruous
  elements
• Scenic Quality visual aesthetics interest,
  sense of place
• Relative Wildness sense of remoteness, openness,
  exposure
• Relative Tranquillity Contributors and detractors
  
• Natural Heritage geology, landform, habitats,
  wildlife
• Cultural Heritage historic features
  archaeology, artistic associations
• Nb assessment of current natural beauty not
  future potential

15
The desirability of designation

• The decision whether it is desirable to designate
  is at the heart of the legislation. The issues
  for Natural England to determine include
• Does the area satisfy AONB technical criteria?
• Is it of such significance that AONB purposes
  should apply to it?
• What are the issues affecting the areas special
  qualities
• Can AONB purposes be best pursued through the
  management mechanisms, powers and duties which
  come with AONB designation?
• Are there other relevant factors which tend to
  suggest whether it is or is not desirable to
  designate the area?

16
The desirability of designation

• The more directly or substantially a factor bears
  upon the achievement
• of AONB purposes the more weight Natural England
  is likely to give it
• in the decision whether or not it is desirable to
  designate
• Issues that are likely to be raised in
  consultation include
• Perceptions about the potential implications of
  designation. These are likely to include
  socio-economic issues planning
• County boundaries and identity
• Area specific issues and local campaigns
• Some of these issues are very likely to be given
  less weight.

17
Boundary Setting Considerations

• Appendix 4 of our Guidance contains guidelines to
  use when setting a boundary covering the
  following
• Transitional areas the boundary should be
  tightly drawn
• Types of boundary easily distinguishable
  permanent physical boundary
• Other boundaries avoid using LA and/ or
  landholding boundaries
• Inclusion of settlements only if within a wider
  tract of qualifying land
• Integrity of settlements avoid cutting a
  settlement in two
• Incongruous development excluded unless of a
  temporary or transient nature
• Land allocated for major development normally
  exclude
• Features of interest include where practicable

18
Statutory Consultation

• The questions to be asked
• Do you agree that each area has sufficient
  natural beauty?
• Do you agree that it is desirable to designate
  the proposed area as an extension to the SCH
  AONB?
• Do you agree with the proposed boundary?

19
Where we are now
A proposed Candidate Area as produced by Alison
Farmer Associates on behalf of the SCH AONB
Partnership
20
Next Steps

• Natural Englands Suffolk Coast Heaths AONB
  Boundary Variation Project is required to
• Determine which statutory assessments are
  required
• Review the Candidate Area proposed by the AONB
  partnership
• does this area contain sufficient natural beauty
  to be considered for designation?
• Is this the full extent of the area that should
  be considered?
• Evaluate issues relevant to a consideration of
  the desirability of designation
• Identify proposed detailed boundaries
• Submit proposed boundaries to our Executive Board
  for approval to go out to statutory consultation

21
Technical Advisory Group

• To provide professional/ technical advice and
  assistance to Natural England in developing its
  proposals to vary the boundary of the Suffolk
  Coast Heaths AONB
• Advice to be without prejudice to the Local
  Authorities  subsequent views on the emerging
  proposals.

22
In summary..........

• Developing a rigorous and defendable process is
  critical
• Ensuring that we have as a good an evidence base
  as possible is essential
• Key decisions must always be made by the Natural
  England Board
• Analysis and other technical aspects of the
  project are time consuming and therefore 2 to 3
  years is likely to be needed
• Ultimately the boundary will only change if a
  future Variation Order is confirmed by the
  Secretary of State