Carlisle City Council’s Executive has given their backing to a plan that will protect the naturally protected landscape of the Solway Coast.
The current Solway Coast Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan ends in 2020. It has been reviewed and redrafted to cover 2020 – 2025.
The plan must be reviewed every five years by the three local planning authorities across whose boundaries the AONB lies – Allerdale Borough Council, Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council. The plan is drawn up on their behalf by the Solway Coast AONB Partnership, which receives core funding from the partner authorities.
The Solway Coast AONB covers the western edge of the Carlisle district. It includes most of the village of Burgh by Sands, and the Solway marshes.
Cllr Paul Nedved, Portfolio holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing, said: “We have a statutory duty to prepare and review the management plan. It is designed to enable local communities to take action to conserve and enhance the landscape.
“Critically, it outlines the health benefits, covering topics such as carbon storage – so crucial to the issue of climate change and the manner by which our natural environment provided habitats for pollinators essential for food and the farming industry. It had been extensively consulted upon with local communities and stakeholders. We’re delighted to adopt the plan and thank all those that played their part in its formation and consultation.”
The management plan focusses on the purpose of designation – the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty – and deals with natural and cultural heritage, and issues around promoting enjoyment and understanding of the area’s special qualities.
The vision for the management plan takes an ecosystems approach to the management of the AONB going forward, focusing on the protection, enhancement and restoration of habitat and species, seeking to enrich biodiversity through the restoration of saltmarshes, the Solway Mosses and mudflats ensuring they remain free from disturbance.
Any surrounding land uses will need to be sensitive to the ecological needs of the area. The plan also seeks to ensure any future development contributes to and protect the area’s quality and historic character. The plan seeks to ensure that the Solway Coast remains open to all, as a place to live, work, explore and enjoy through an increasingly environment-led economy.
Many organisations, individuals and communities will have a role in implementing the Management Plan, which will be used to develop projects and facilitate cooperation with statutory agencies, landowners and managers, businesses and the local community. The Plan highlights actions and activities that will conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage, help people discover, enjoy and understand the area, and support the economy in sustainable ways. The plan is led by the Solway Coast AONB management team.
A link to the Solway Coast Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan is available at: https://www.solwaycoastaonb.org.uk/2019/publications/
