Shaping the Future of the Forest of Bowland
The Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership has a legal responsibility to review and update a five-year Management Plan. This plan sets out what makes the Forest of Bowland so special, the challenges it faces and the actions needed to conserve, enhance and celebrate its components of natural beauty and special qualities.
It’s not just a document for the Partnership team – it’s for everyone who cares about this landscape: partner organisations, farmers and landowners, local communities and businesses. The aim is to work together to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of this remarkable area.
A new draft plan has been created by the National Landscape team, with valuable input from a wide range of partners.
As part of the management planning process we have also drafted a Climate Change Adaptation plan to outline the actions required to adapt the landscape to the impacts of climate breakdown. It is a statutory requirement to embed the principles of adaptation into the Management Plan, and so we would welcome your comments on this document as well as the main Draft Management Plan (see Appendix 2).
Have your say!
We’ve had a lot of help from our partners in putting the Draft Management Plan together and are now seeking views from people who live, work and visit the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. The public consultation period runs from 19 January to 2 March 2026.
We’d especially like your thoughts on the Part 2: Outcomes and Measures section of the plan (page 29 onwards).
- Have we focused on the things that matter most to you? Is there anything important we’ve missed? And do you feel we’ve addressed the key concerns for the future of your local landscape?
Additional downloads:
- Appendix 1 - Summary Landscape Character Assessment
- Appendix 2 - Climate Change Adaptation Plan
- Appendix 3 - Equality Impact Assessment
- Appendix 4 - Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)*
- Appendix 5 - Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)*
- Appendix A: SEA & HRA Screening Table
-
COMPLETE ONLINE FORM to submit your response
Please note: to take part in the consultation, the online form must be completed. If you have any issues with the Online Form, please get touch and if you prefer, you can request a paper copy of the plan from the Forest of Bowland National Landscape team
* If you would like to comment on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) please send an email summarising your comments. Note: the SEA is to judge the likely impact of a plan on the environment and the HRA is to ensure the long-term conservation of certain species and habits by protecting them from possible adverse effects of plans.
A Consultation Summary Report will be published on the website from end March 2026.
The Consultation Summary Report (when published) will show the responses to your comments (anonymously, unless you specifically state on the web form that you would like your name published alongside your comments) from the Forest of Bowland National Landscape team, key findings and recommendations based on your feedback from the consultation.
CONSULTATION PROCESS
- Public consultation between 19 January to 2 March 2026
- Consultation Summary Report published online - end March 2026
- Production of final plan - March/April 2026
- Formal Approval: April-May 2026
- The National Landscape Partnership/Joint Committee meets to endorse the revised plan.
- Final approval is sought from the relevant authorities.
- Formal Adoption: May 2026
- Each local authority formally adopts the plan, making it official for the designated area.
- The Secretary of State (for Environment) is notified.
Capturing the Best of Bowland
As part of the 2025 review of our Management Plan, we invited people to share photographs that capture what Bowland means to them—whether through its landscapes, wildlife, heritage or vibrant communities. Through our Best of Bowland prize draw, we wanted to give everyone a chance to reflect on and celebrate what makes this unique area so special. The photos and captions offered an insight into the deep connection people feel with Bowland, helping shape our shared vision for its future. To view the photographs visit: Visitor Photo Gallery | Forest of Bowland National Landscape
The word cloud below highlights the words and phrases people shared alongside their photos, reflecting what makes Bowland special to them.
