Kent Downs AONB Draft Management Plan Consultation

The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a nationally protected landscape and home to some of the most enchanting countryside in Britain. The Kent Downs covers about a quarter of the County of Kent focusing on the North Downs and the Greensand Ridge, stretching from the White Cliffs of Dover to the Surrey and London borders. Within Folkestone and Hythe District the AONB is predominantly found to the north of the district.

In recognition of the national and international importance of AONB landscapes the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 required relevant Local Authorities to jointly prepare, publish and subsequently review a Management Plan. The Kent Downs AONB Management Plan 2020-2025 will provide the strategy for conserving and enhancing the Kent Downs and is the third revision of the plan.

The plan has been prepared by the Kent Downs AONB Unit who is employed by Kent County Council and works on behalf of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) to carry out the preparation and review of the Management Plan. All Local Authorities that have the Kent Downs AONB within their district are Members of the JAC.

The plan is now available for public consultation from 14 July- 7 September, giving people the chance to have their say before it is finalised, published and implemented. The views gathered will help the AONB Unit to conserve the landscape for future generations while ensuring that today's residents and visitors can all benefit from connection with the natural environment in an amazing landscape.

The consultation can be found here:

https://kccconsultations.inconsult.uk/consult.ti/kentdowns_aonb/consultationHome

The Draft Plan focuses on conserving and enhancing the landscape through:

• Building climate resilience, mitigating climate change, and helping to achieve net carbon zero
• Nature recovery and biodiversity enhancements
• Sustainable development - supporting our social, economic and environmental needs whist protecting the needs of future generations
• Access and inclusivity - helping more people enjoy the landscape, including more people from currently underrepresented groups in a way that benefits people, protects nature, and enables the management of the landscape to continue successfully
• Supporting health and wellbeing for all.

If you have any queries about this consultation, please contact:

Rebecca Chittock- Planning Policy Specialist

T: 01303 853337 E: rebecca.chittock@folkestone-hythe.gov.uk