Action plan

1.1 Landscape
Action Targets and Timescales Key Partner(s) Activities Status Flag
1.1A Ensure all local planning authorities and other interested organisations have access to AONB Landscape Character Assessment GIS data layers and understand how these can be used as a planning tool
All LPAs supplied with GIS data layers.
2014
Hold at least 1 meeting per year with LPA or other partner to raise awareness of AONB LCA and its uses.
Annually
0 View
1.1B Utilise the AONB Landscape Character Assessment to monitor landscape change within the AONB, as part of a 'State of the AONB' Report
AONB LCA used to establish baseline information in State of the AONB' report
2015
1 Completed View
1.1C Continue to support the 'Traditional Boundaries' programme, managing and restoring hedgerows, dry stone walls and railing fences
Develop at least 3 traditional boundary restoration projects per year
Annually
Hold 3 training events/competitions per year
Annually
6 View
1.1D Establish new funding sources for the 'Traditional Boundaries' programme to supplement AONB support
Develop a fund-raising plan for 'Traditional Boundaries' Programme
2014
Submit bids for external funding, where available and appropriate
2015
3 Ongoing View
1.1E Develop and disseminate advice note with design guidance for fencing in sensitive open landscapes (e.g. moorland, open river floodplains)
Advice note developed
2014
0 View
1.1F Develop plan for managing landscape change due to loss of woodland and veteran trees through increased incidence of tree disease (e.g. Phytophthera ramorum, Chalara fraxinea).
Hold woodland management seminar/field visit
2014
Management plan developed
2015
2 View
1.2 Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
Action Targets and Timescales Key Partner(s) Activities Status Flag
1.2A Re-establish an AONB Biodiversity Working Group (BD Working Group), representing key agencies, local authorities, environmental organisations
Working Group re-established
2014
Produce a brief annual delivery plan for Working Group
Annually
3 Completed View
1.2B Carry out 'ecosystem approach' self-assessment produced by Natural England
Self-assessment completed
2014
3 Completed View
1.2C Contribute to research on the value of 'ecosystem services' provided by the natural environment of the AONB and communicate findings to a wide audience
Research opportunities with Natural England identified
2014
Research commenced
2015
3 View
1.2D Explore opportunities for biodiversity offsetting with local planning authorities (recognising the mechanism as a last resort after options for avoidance and on-site mitigation have been exhausted)
Hold 'planning and development' seminar to discuss opportunities for biodiversity offsetting within the AONB
2014
0 View
1.2E Play an active role in the government's 'Catchment-based Approach' (CaBA) to river management and restoration for the Lune, Ribble and Wyre
Meet with EA catchment management staff and Rivers Trusts for Lune and Wyre re:CaBA
2014
Attend at least 2 Ribble Life stakeholder exchange meetings per year
Annually
Investigate opportunities for catchment-based management options and agreements for the New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS).
2014
7 Ongoing View
1.3 Habitats
Action Targets and Timescales Key Partner(s) Activities Status Flag
1.3A Ensure AONB's SSSIs are in favourable or recovering condition and take appropriate action to bring those SSSIs that are currently in recovering condition into favourable condition
Ensure 100% of the AONB's SSSIs are in favourable or recovering condition
2019
Ensure at least 50% of SSSIs are in favourable condition
2019
9 Ongoing View
1.3B Carry out a mapping exercise of priority habitats (including local important and locally designated sites) and commission condition surveys of the priority habitats identified
Peatland and species-rich grassland habitat survey work complete
2014
Agree further work on priority habitat surveys (e.g. woodlands, mires and wet grassland)
2014
Survey at least 2 additional priority habitats
2016
7 Ongoing View
1.3C Develop opportunity maps for potential habitat creation and restoration for priority habitat identified; linking with LNP ecological frameworks research and mapping for Lancashire and priority areas identified in North Yorkshire (e.g Long Preston Wet Grasslands)
Habitat creation and restoration opportunities mapping developed for 4 priority habitats
2016
0 View
1.3D Restore and re-wet areas of blanket bog habitat as identified in the AONB Peatland Restoration Plan
Restoration and re-wetting of 35hectares of blanket bog habitat (subject to funding availability)
2019
8 Ongoing View
1.3E Play an active role in local and regional peatland initiatives (e.g. Lancashire and Pennine Peat Partnerships) to seek additional funding to deliver AONB Peatland Restoration Plan
Lancashire Upland Peat Partnership restoration plan (incl. AONB data) complete
2014
AONB projects included in Pennine Peat Partnership bid for EU LIFE+ funding
2014
5 Ongoing View
1.3F Conserve, restore and create species-rich grassland habitats
Jointly deliver 'Networks for Nectar' project with YDMT (funded by LEF to end Sep 2015)
2015
Restore 10ha. of hay meadow
2015
Restore and ensure management of 12 small species-rich grassland sites
5 Completed View
1.3G Support the creation of new native woodland in appropriate sites and the expansion of existing woodlands to reduce habitat fragmentation
Utilise woodland opportunities mapping to guide future woodland creation and expansion
2016 onwards
2 View
1.3H Conserve and enhance native woodland through appropriate management (e.g. small-scale, traditional coppice techniques), aiming to maintain good structure and maximise biodiversity
Hold woodland management seminar/field visit
2014
Secure funding for at least 1 pilot woodfuel economy project
2016
0 View
1.3I Liaise with local authorities to maintain or enhance the biodiversity of roadside verges, through maintenance of appropriate and timely cutting regimes
Extend Ribble Valley pilot 'Roadside Verges' project to other local authority areas in the AONB
2015
3 Ongoing View
1.4 Species
Action Targets and Timescales Key Partner(s) Activities Status Flag
1.4A Identify local and national 'species at risk' within the area; prioritise and carry out surveys where necessary and work with existing datasets/risk registers on populations of rare species in the AONB
Establish risk register
2014
Commission surveys for 2 'priority species at risk'
2015
Commission surveys for at least 2 further priority species at risk
2016
3 Ongoing View
1.4B Develop local species recovery plans for priority 'species at risk' identified; ensuring synergy with national species recovery plans where these exist
Produce 4 local species recovery plans
2015
Produce at least 2 further local species recovery plans
2016
2 Ongoing View
1.4C Continue to support research and monitoring and encourage implementation of habitat projects for characteristic bird species such as hen harrier, merlin, peregrine, ring ouzel, lapwing, snipe, redshank and curlew; including support for relevant species recovery plans
Identify and agree appropriate habitat intervention opportunities for at least 2 species
2016
2 View
1.4D Support local actions to provide suitable conditions to re-establish hen harrier as a breeding species in the AONB, in line with the government's emerging national species recovery plan
Develop local actions to support the re-establishment of breeding hen harrier in the AONB
2014-15
Active participation in the new 'Northern England Protected Landscapes Hen Harrier Group'
Annually
2 Ongoing View
1.4E Investigate feasibility of establishing pilot predator control areas to reduce the impact of predators on ground-nesting bird populations (waders in particular) within the AONB
Feasibility study complete
2015
If appropriate, seek funding to establish at least one pilot predator control area
2015
0 View
1.4F Play an active role in county-wide Invasive Non-native Species (INNS) projects such as 'Lancashire Invasives', to help manage and eradicate Himalayan balsam, Japanese knotweed and Giant hogweed in the AONB
Organise 15 volunteer days per year
Annually
Complete INNS Strategy and Action Plan
2014
Secure funding for continuation of county-wide INNS project for Lancashire
2014
2 View
1.5 Geodiversity
Action Targets and Timescales Key Partner(s) Activities Status Flag
1.5A Develop information to raise awareness and improve understanding of the geological landscape of the AONB, both on the AONB website and interpretation at appropriate viewpoints, buildings and landscape features
Geodiversity content on AONB website updated and improved, including information on Local Geodiversity Sites in the AONB
2015
Investigate opportunities for use of mobile app technologies (e.g. BGS augmented reality geology app) in the AONB.
2015
Install on-site interpretation on geodiversity in the landscape developed at a Local Geodiversity Site or viewpoint in the AONB
2019
0 View
1.5B Identify potential geodiversity projects involving quarrying and civil engineering industry and local communities
Hold discussions with companies based in or close to the AONB
2015
Develop 1 geodiversity project
2019
0 View
1.5C Investigate opportunities to add existing 'geo-walks' to AONB suite of promoted routes, where appropriate
Include 3 'geo-walks' within AONB promoted routes
2019
0 View
1.6 Historic Environment
Action Targets and Timescales Key Partner(s) Activities Status Flag
1.6A Work closely with statutory agencies to identify designated heritage assets 'at risk' and develop management plans to facilitate the removal of assets from English Heritage's 'Heritage at Risk Register'
Hold meeting with English Heritage to discuss establishment of 'Heritage at Risk Register' for AONB
2014
Complete first designated heritage asset management plan
2016
0 View

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