On the 30th anniversary of its creation, the High Weald AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Partnership has produced a new vision and strategy for safeguarding one of the country’s nationally important landscapes.
The Plan was launched this week at a gathering of parish and town council members from East and West Sussex, Surrey and Kent to discuss how the AONB Partnership can help the High Weald’s communities look after the area.
Pictured above: Parish and Town Councillors receive the new Management Plan at the ‘How can the High Weald AONB Partnership help your Parish’ event in Crowborough, July 2019.
The Plan was enthusiastically received by Councillors keen to use it to help ensure appropriate development in their localities and encourage land management that conserves soils, water, historic features and wildlife.
The High Weald is one of the best surviving medieval landscapes in Northern Europe, valued for its scenery, tranquillity and wildlife. The new Management Plan sets out a strategy for conserving the area’s special character and rural way of life for the next twenty years with actions for the next five years. It has been produced with input from land owners, businesses, community groups and a range of organisations including parish councils and local and national Government bodies.
“The Plan’s aim is to secure a green future for this outstanding area of countryside.” Says Sally Marsh, co-director of the High Weald AONB Unit. “It promotes regeneration of the area’s land-based economy, landscape character and wildlife, as well as providing a framework to guide small scale development that meets the needs of communities.”
The Management Plan has been adopted by the 15 relevant local authorities as policy for their work relating to the High Weald and for consideration in planning decisions. The Plan also provides a guide to residents, businesses and visitors on the actions they can take to help safeguard this special area.
The High Weald AONB Management Plan is available on the High Weald website, see link below, or direct from the High Weald AONB team on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01424 723011.
More information:
High Weald AONB Management Plan, 2019 to 2024