High Weald AONB Management Plan adopted by all Local Authorities

Great news! The High Weald AONB Management Plan 2024-2029 has now been adopted by all the Local Authorities with land within the High Weald boundary.

The Management Plan sets out the long term objectives for conserving this treasured landscape and how it will be looked after for the next 5 years. The High Weald team prepares the Plan on behalf of the area’s fifteen Local Authorities.

November saw the biannual meeting of the High Weald Joint Advisory Committee. Representatives from our Local Authorities and other partners came together for an inspiring day of discussion around taking forward the plan’s objectives (pictured below).

Download the new High Weald AONB Management Plan 2024-2029 >>

Learn more about the Management Plan and how it’s prepared >>

Helping Local Authorities make decisions that keep the High Weald beautiful

We are already supporting our partners to use the new Management Plan. In January and February, our Senior Planning and Policy Adviser, Diane, delivered two training sessions for Local Planning Authorities in the High Weald; one for planning officers at Sevenoaks Borough Council, and one for planning officers and councillors at Ashford Borough Council.

The sessions were designed to help Local Authorities understand the current planning legislation affecting Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and how to use Management Plans in their decision making.

Diane delivered the sessions in partnership with her counterpart at the Kent Downs National Landscape, because Sevenoaks and Ashford have land that falls within both areas.

The training was very well received, and we are looking to roll out more training for our Local Authority partners in due course.