November 2020 AONB Monthly update

1. River restoration work near Bures: four backwaters, two berms and two dyke features have now been completed in a joint project between the River Stour Enhancement Project and the Environment Agency. The works will have considerable landscape and wildlife benefits. Further dyke connection and planting work remains to be completed.

1. 2020 Spending Review

The chancellor announced increases in funding for National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to more than £75 million, with a further £7 million for the England Coast Path and Coast-to-Coast National Trail on 25 November. Local AONBs are waiting to see what this means locally.

1. Great British Beach Clean: Results 2020

The Great British Beach Clean looked different this year. Beach cleans were restricted to small groups and enlisted friends, families and 'bubbles' to help clear beaches of litter and take part in the citizen science project. The AONB supported many of these groups. Included in the national results was the fact that Personal Protective Equipment (such as masks to combat the spread of the Coronavirus) were found on 30% of beaches. National results at https://www.mcsuk.org/news/gbbc_2020_results

1. Enhancing the Stour Valley for Visitors

The LEADER funded project is drawing to a close and the project can boast many successes. See walking and cycling guides and things to do around the themes of food, art, heritage, wildlife, and family activities at https://www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org/visiting/

1. Proposed reform to permitted development to support the deployment of 5G in AONBs

The AONB network has been told to expect a second technical consultation on proposals to reform developments associated with mobile communications infrastructure within the next couple of months. The response is likely to include a request for a consistent and early approach from applicants to AONBs to proposals and a strengthening of a code of practice in relation to this type of development.

1. Agricultural Act 2020 passes into law

Designated landscapes, such as AONBs, were delighted to see references to landscape in the Agricultural Act 2020. This includes: Secretary of State's powers to give financial assistance managing land or water in a way that maintains, restores or enhances cultural or natural heritage and protecting or improving the landscape. See Act at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2020/21/contents/enacted/data.htm

1. For your Information…

• Film of AONB grant funded project A Wing and Prayer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvCQaPfwgCE&feature=youtu.be

• Stour Estuary and recently extended Coast & Heaths AONB to feature on BBC's Countryfile TV programme on 13 Dec 2020 (with some familiar faces undertaking wildlife projects).

• Unknown Constables found hidden for 200 years in family scrapbook: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/nov/22/unknown-constable-drawings-found-hidden-for-200-years-in-family-scrapbook?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

• Natural England awarding small grant for AONB nature recovery work in Coast & Heaths for Redshank project.

• Neil Parish MP, chairman of Environment Food and Rural Affairs select committee has offered to write to Government enquiring about its response to the Glover review of National Parks and AONBs

• AONB volunteers set to return to limited activity following confirmation of Essex and Suffolk being placed in tier 2 of Coronavirus restrictions from 2 Dec. Info from Gov on tiers at: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

• AONB team anticipating outcome Landscape Enhancement Initiative grant applications in early 2021.

• Two different views of Sizewell C proposals. RSPB/Suffolk Wildlife Trust view at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibW81_qxMb8 Construction industry view at https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/skills/sizewell-c-would-make-huge-contribution-to-levelling-up-plans-26-11-2020/ Note AONB Partnership view expressed as Relevant Representations: https://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Suffolk-Coast-and-Heaths-AONB-Partnership-Rel-Reps-SZC.pdf

Simon Amstutz, AONB Manager, 30 Nov 2020 [email protected]

www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org