The Forest of Bowland National Landscape Management Plan describes the special qualities of the area which contribute to the national significance of the landscape. It identifies the major trends and opportunities for the area.
The document provides a policy framework and identifies a 5-year programme of actions (April 2026 - March 2031) to help guide the work of the National Landscape partnership organisations towards achieving the purpose of this plan - to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural beauty of the Forest of Bowland landscape.
Download the Forest of Bowland Management Plan:
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Low-resolution 4mb PDF (screen readable quality)
Vision 2040
If you find yourself in Bowland in 2040, this is a vision of what it is hoped you will experience. This plan sets out a roadmap to seek to ensure that the landscape, its wildlife and cultural heritage – and its people – reach this point and beyond.
The Forest of Bowland landscape retains its sense of local distinctiveness, notably the wide-open moorland character of the Bowland Fells, undulating lowland farmland, clough woodlands, traditional buildings and the settlement patterns of its villages, hamlets and farmsteads.
The landscape, and the habitats found here, are of intrinsic value and are adapting to and resilient to the impacts of climate change. They provide services and benefits that people value – carbon storage and sequestration, clean air and water, flood resilience and increased health and well-being. The restoration of our species-rich hay meadows has gathered pace, and they are the equal of anywhere in the English uplands in their beauty, diversity and extent. Our peatlands are restored and managed as wetland ecosystems. Veteran trees are cherished and woodlands are well managed, protected, extended and reconnected as the treescape of the area changes. The names of the rivers Ribble, Hodder, Lune and Wyre are synonymous with clear, naturally flowing wildlife-rich watercourses. Our breeding waders thrive and the decline in our songbirds has reversed; our raptors, including the hen harrier that is so emblematic of Bowland, breed successfully, free from the persecution of the past.
Profitable farming and sustainable moorland management are at the heart of nature recovery and vice versa, and they sustain natural processes and help them to flourish. The partnership-working between farmers, land managers, conservation bodies, communities and businesses is focused on delivering more for nature together.
The rich cultural heritage of the area is known for being well-understood and well-managed. Like our natural heritage, our cultural heritage is helping to support a resilient and sustainable local economy as demonstrated by the presence of vibrant villages with a good provision of local services for all ages. More people, whatever their circumstances, can responsibly enjoy all that Bowland has to offer Local people are proud to live here, whilst communities from nearby towns like Preston and Colne think of it as their special place to visit close to home.
The Forest of Bowland is nationally regarded as a truly outstanding landscape, where it can clearly be demonstrated that the partnerships that have been developed to support nature, climate, people and place are bringing benefit for everyone.
An interactive version of the Management Plan will also be available soon.