The AONB Partnership Position Statement:

North Devon Areas of

Outstanding Natural

Beauty

May 2005

Braunton Burrows UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The AONB Partnership Position Statement:

The North Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural beauty covers 171km sq of coastal landscape from Marsland Mouth on the Cornish Border, to Combe Martin on the boundary of Exmoor National Park.

The statutory purpose of an AONB is:

To conserve and enhance natural beauty

Three related purposes are:

	Recreation so far as this is consistent with the conservation aim
	Account should be taken of the needs of rural industries and the social and economic needs of local communities
	Sustainable development

During 2003/4 a Management Plan was developed with Partners for the North Devon AONB. This identified actions for a range of local and regional partners. The delivery of the Management Plan is overseen by the North Devon AONB Partnership. The Partnership and the AONB staff Unit have no statutory powers. These remain with the local Authority.

The core role of AONB Partnership and staff unit includes:

	Facilitating the implementation of the Management Plan
	Monitoring progress against AONB targets
	Monitoring landscape conditions
	Accessing resources for management activates
	Developing community AONB
	Providing landscape planning advice

Braunton Burrows Management

Braunton Burrows is part of the Taw Torridge Estuary Landscape Character Area of the AONB. It is an area of outstanding importance for wildlife and scenery which is reflected in its designations including that of Site of Special Scientific & Special Area of Conservation, and the core area of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Biosphere Reserve has buffer and transitional zones which serve to support the ecological management of the core area through community participation in trying to achieve sustainable development in these outer zones.

The Burrows is privately owned by the Christie Devon Estates and has been for over 300 years, with much of it leased to the Defence Estates for military training.

English Nature has powers to ensure protection and management of SSSIs generally and safeguard their existence into the future. English Nature specialists provide guidance on the conservation management of Braunton Burrows.

The MoD’s Defence Estates organisation convenes a Braunton Burrows Conservation group to provide additional advice.

North Devon Coast and Countryside Service provides the resources and secretariat for the co-ordination of the wider Biosphere Reserve and is responsible for the Coast path passing through the site.

North Devon AONB Partnership Position Statement for Braunton Burrows

The AONB Partnership believes that Braunton Burrows site is to be treasured for its

	Spectacular wildlife and landscape
	Tranquility and Remoteness
	Contribution to the health and well being of those who visit
	Contribution to education and research
	Contribution to the local economy

The AONB Partnership believes that the Burrows have become such an important site because of it’s:

	Good management over many generations by the Christie Estate
	Its crucial role in epitomizing the environmental quality of North Devon.
	Value to the Local Community

The AONB Partnership believes that the future value of the Burrows will be assured by:

	Use of best practice conservation management for wildlife and landscape
	Managing public access in so far as is compatible with wildlife needs and health and safety
	Ensuring that any development enhances the landscape and tranquility
	Improving the understanding of users and local residents about planning and management of the Burrows through information dissemination and volunteer support for approved activity

To support these principles the AONB Partnership will in so far as resources permit and where they add value to the Biosphere Reserve Co-ordination arrangements:

	Offer space on its web site for agencies legitimately concerned with management of the site to consult or publicise their actions
	Support the land managers with any public consultation events related to Burrows
	Provide officer representation on the Braunton Burrows Conservation Group through NDCCS.
	Support funding bids which aim to provide for conservation management and access to the Burrows
	Respond to Planning Consultations affecting the Burrows
	Support volunteer activities on the Burrows as requested by the landowners and the agencies legitimately concerned with the management of the site
	Support the development of the Ecosystem Approach in the management of the entire Biosphere Reserve.
	Assisting the accountable agencies to have due regard for the purposes of the designation of the AONB.

Facts

	Braunton Burrows cover 1330 Hectares and is one of the largest dune systems in the UK
	Braunton Burrows boasts nearly 500 different species of plants
	Braunton Burrows hosts 33 species of Butterflies
	Braunton Burrows has been in the ownership of the Cleveland/Christie family for more than 300 years
	Braunton Burrows was used for military training during World War II. Remains of concrete replica landing craft and other artifacts can still be seen today

North Devon AONB

Bideford Station

Railway Terrace

East-the –Water

Bideford

EX39 4BB

Tel: 01237 42655

Fax: 01237 423613

aonb@devon.gov.uk