Delivering a better future for the Shropshire Hills AONB
The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) will be 60 years old in 2018. The need to conserve and enhance the area’s wonderful landscape is as important as ever, but the world around is very different. This is why Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council along with the AONB Partnership have now formally agreed to make a joint request to Defra to create a new independent Conservation Board for the Shropshire Hills AONB.
Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for rural services and communities, explained:
“The creation of a Conservation Board will give the AONB team and its many partners the best chance of providing long term self-sustaining support for communities within the AONB within a time of growing funding and other external pressures. Our vision is for a better managed landscape with greater public involvement and social and economic benefits.”
James Williamson, AONB Partnership Chair, commented:
“Creating a permanent independent body for the AONB is a big step, with long-term advantages. Independence means a stronger voice solely for the AONB and the ability to take effective action balancing local and national priorities. A Conservation Board will also be more resilient and better able to raise its own funds, manage itself more effectively and involve more local people and businesses. It will also build on our successes – over the last five years we have secured over £4.3 million into the Shropshire Hills, support over 150 community projects through grants and advice, led project work on river catchments, heritage and tourism, and led over 100 sessions with 33 schools.”
Chris Turley, Telford & Wrekin Councillor on the AONB Partnership, said:
“The Wrekin is a really important part of the AONB, and the Conservation Board structure will continue to give representation to both Councils, as well as Parish and Town Councils and other appointed individuals.”
The new Conservation Board will bring individuals, organisations, businesses and resources together to champion the best interests of the AONB’s landscapes, wildlife and cultural heritage. It will continue to be supported by a small team of specialist staff, and collaborate nationally as one of the 46 UK AONBs.
With agreement now in place from both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council, the next step is to make the formal request to Defra. Defra will then consult with relevant organisations including Parish and Town Councils before making a final decision. If they decide to go ahead, a legal order will go before Parliament to create a new independent Conservation Board for the Shropshire Hills AONB.
The AONB Partnership is inviting comments and support via www.shropshirehillsaonb.co.uk.
