The European Landscape Convention defines landscape as: “An area as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors.” Therefore, a landscape protected with national status needs to consider the needs and impacts of people alongside those of the natural, non-human world. To reflect this, the purpose of National Landscape (or AONB) designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, whilst having regard to the social and economic needs of landowners, farmers and communities. The NL also has a responsibility to meet the demands for recreation and tourism, but only if this is consistent with protecting the natural beauty of the area. The Forest of Bowland is a living, working landscape, and it is vital that we recognise and support the rural communities and workforce that sustain it
If people are to care for a place, be they local people or visitors, it is important that they can first enjoy what it has to offer. There is a need to ensure that more people, from a wider variety of backgrounds and life experiences, can discover Bowland and enjoy its natural beauty. Where there are physical and/or perceptual barriers to people’s ability to explore this landscape with confidence, these need to be removed.
