Issue - meetings

Report HPR2021/014

The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 requires local authorities to produce, adopt and keep under review Management Plans for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). Members were requested to endorse the adoption of the latest updated version of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan noting that there may be minor amendments such as design and formatting changes prior to publication.

The Committee noted that at the recent meeting of the Development Control Committee Councillor Scoates had referred to a spot of land in his ward (Darwin) between Cudham Lane South and Buckhurst Road leading up to Cudham Valley which was a spectacular sight with views of the North Downs. He asked if there was a way for this area to be included in the AONB Management Plan. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy provided an update explaining that there was some potential for AONBs to be amended although the bar was quite high.  The intention was to ascertain the exact area and take a view from the AONB Joint Action Committee as to the feasibility of a successful application for amendment being made to Natural England.

RESOLVED: that the Executive be recommended to

1. Adopt the updated version of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan at Appendix 1 (noting that there may be minor amendments such as design and formatting changes prior to publication).

2. Agree that reasonable changes made by other local authorities during the adoption process, subsequent to any decision to adopt the updated management plan by Bromley being made, can be accepted by the Director of Housing, Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing.

Report HPR2021/014

The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 requires local authorities to produce, adopt and keep under review Management Plans for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). Members were requested to endorse the adoption of the latest updated version of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan, noting that there may be minor amendments such as design and formatting changes prior to publication.

Councillor Scoates referred to a spot of land between Cudham Lane South and Buckhurst Road leading up to Cudham Valley which was a spectacular sight with views of the North Downs. He asked if there was a way for this area to be included in the AONB Management Plan. The Head of Planning Policy and Strategy stated that the AONB was a national designation and was unsure of the scope for the Council to propose amendments. He agreed to look into this matter and report back to Members.

RESOLVED that:-

1)  the adoption of the updated version of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan be endorsed, noting that there may be minor amendments such as design and formatting changes prior to publication;

2)  the Executive be recommended to adopt the updated version of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan, noting that there may be minor amendments such as design and formatting changes prior to publication; and

3)  reasonable changes made by other local authorities during the adoption process, subsequent to any decision to adopt the updated Management Plan by Bromley being made, can be accepted by the Director of Housing, Planning and Regeneration in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing.