Land Resources

Why good management is important

• Food• Water• Leisure• Reduce impact of high population (eg

pollution, global climate change)

Landscape protection

• Maintenance of natural features or features produced by human activities that give the countryside it’s character

• woodlands• Hedgerows• Stone walls• In-field trees• Ponds etc

Management

• Some feature are protected by preventing damage

• Some need managing eg• Some require active management to

counteract natural processes

Types of Management

• Landscape enhancement• Restoration eg planting, • Visitor management• Designing features that fit with surroundings• Reducing numbers• Car parks• Paths • Honeypot sites

Governmental Organisations

• Natural England • Countryside Council for Wales• These designate areas for landscape

conservation• National Parks were established (10 in 1950)• National Parks and Access to Countryside Act

(1949)

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Aims of the National Parks

• To conserve and enhance their natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage

• To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities

• To maintain the rural economy

Who owns them and how are they managed

• The land is not wholly owned by the National Parks but also by the National Trust, The Forestry Commission, The Ministry of Defence, Water companies and private owners

• They are managed by the National Park Authorities who control the activities of landowners through planning and development restrictions and agreements

Some controversial developments are justified as being for the

‘greater national good’• Reservoirs• Quarrying• Military training• Conifer plantations• Tourism• Energy supplier instalations

Conflicts of interest in National Parks

• Erosion• Congestion• Disturbance of wildlife• Litter• Displacement of the local community• Conflicts between recreational users

AONBs designated by Natural England (managed by county councils)

• Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are designated for their landscape qualities to conserve and enhance their natural beauty this can include:

• Landform and geology• Plants and animals• Landscape• Historical features

AONBs

• Are generally in less remote areas• Usually in areas that are more intensively used

than National Parks• Often economic activities are more important

in AONBs than in National Parks• Generally fewer opportunities for outdoor

recreation and right of access may be restricted

Examples of AONBs

• North Pennines• Cannock Chase• Forest of Bowland• Cotswolds• Scilly Isles

AONBs

Heritage Coasts

• Designated by Natural England as the finest undeveloped coastline that need to be protected from development

• Why? For their scenic amenity value • Also (where appropriate) public access may be

increased• Many heritage coast sites have maintained

footpaths

Long Distance Footpaths

• Many are also National Trails• Long Distance Footpaths have been created

by linking together footpaths, bridleways and roads

• Their purpose is to provide public right of way through landscape of great scenic value

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The role of DEFRA in managing land resources

• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

• Agri-environmental schemes (eg the Environmental Stewardship Scheme) can have a big impact on the aesthetic appeal

The role of local authorities

• Establish green areas for recreation close to urban centres

• Country parks• Urban parks

NGOs

• The National Trust protects coastline, countryside and buildings from uncontrolled development for public enjoyment

• Protects over 1,130km of coastline• About 250,000sq km of countryside• Many historically important buildings• Other NGOs include RSPB and the Wildfowl

and Wetlands Trust

The Neptune Coastline Campaign

• This is a National Trust campaign to buy and protect important coastline landscapes

Land-use conflicts• Urban expansion• Road schemes• Airports • Ports• Mining and quarrying• Wind farms• Hydro-electric power stations• Tidal barrages• Recreation and tourism• Waste disposal

Methods of resolving land-use conflicts• Planning controls.. Permission needed for

development. Public inquiry if controversial. Independent inspector compiles report for Secretary of State (eg Hilary Benn MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

• Strict planning controls exist within National Parks and Green Belts (Green Belts are administered by DEFRA and local planning authorities)