Management Plan 2025-2030 - Blackdown Hills National Landscape

The Blackdown Hills National Landscape Management Plan:

Describes the special qualities of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape
Explains why the Blackdown Hills National Landscape is important
Sets out an agreed vision for its future
Identifies the challenges and opportunities for the area, and how these will be tackled.

The Management Plan is reviewed every five years and is supported with an annual business plan. Blackdown Hills National Landscape’s annual business plan is an internal working document. It sets out the key activities, core work and projects to be undertaken by the National Landscape team and the key members of Blackdown Hills National Landscape Partnership to contribute to delivering the management plan.

Blackdown Hills National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030

How to use and navigate this Management Plan

Management Plan 2025-2030: an overview and description of the structure of the plan to help find your way around.

Chairman’s foreword

Management Plan 2025-2030: Read Partnership Chairman Bob Nelson’s foreword and introduction to the plan.

trees and fields with the Wellington Monument in the distance

Ministerial letter of support

Management Plan 2025-2030: letter of support to all Protected Landscapes from Defra Minister for Nature.

Chapter 1: Introduction

Management Plan 2025-2030: Introduction to the purpose and role of the plan, guiding principles, key issues and policy context.

A village set amongst a patchwork of fields and high hedgerows

Chapter 2: Special qualities

Management Plan 2025-2030: Discover the unique and outstanding special qualities of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape.

Sunlight peeping through tree trunks and across leaf covered forest floor

Chapter 3: Vision

Management Plan 2025-2030: Looking to the future with our vision for the Blackdown Hills National Landscape in 2050.

Dumpdon Hill surrounded by morning mist in the valley with shadows across fields.

Chapter 4: Place

Management Plan 2025-2030: Conserving and enhancing our diverse landscapes, historic, cultural and natural environments.

Chapter 5: People

Management Plan 2025-2030: Positive action for resilience, inclusivity, and enjoyment for all who live in or visit this special place.

Chapter 6: Nature

Management Plan 2025-2030: The varied biodiversity of the Blackdown Hills is intrinsic to the area’s character and aesthetic appeal.

Chapter 7: Climate

Management Plan 2025-2030: Mitigation, adaptation, and nature-based solutions to build resilience and reduce emissions.

two men taking part in Skills of the Hills hedge laying competition working on a hedge

Chapter 8: Delivery and monitoring

Management Plan 2025-2030: Implementing the plan, monitoring and evaluation and introducing the delivery plan.

aerial image showing expansive views of field patterns and horizon

Appendix 1

Management Plan 2025-2030 Appendix 1: What is special about the Blackdown Hills; natural beauty and special qualities of the area.

House being refurbished and new extensions

Appendix 2

Management Plan 2025-2030 Appendix 2: Planning, including general principles for development and major development.

apple blossom with landscape in background

Appendix 3

Management Plan 2025-2030 Appendix 3: Climate, including adaptation management plans, emissions and soil carbon.

aerial picture of new trees in a field with tree guards around each of them

Appendix 4

Management Plan 2025-2030 Appendix 4: Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework indicators and data.

A group of people next to a stream looking at three 'leaky dams' made from horizontal branches piled up and held with stakes

Strategic Delivery Plan

Management Plan 2025-2030: Strategic Delivery Plan. Translating objectives into high-level actions to deliver measurable outcomes.

Document framework

The Management Plan sits within a structured hierarchy of strategic documents which work together to guide long-term vision, set objectives, define actions, and monitor progress. The following table outlines the key documents and their roles within this framework:

Document	Purpose and content
Blackdown Hills National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030	Includes a 20-year vision and sets the overarching direction for the work of the National Landscapes Partnership. Includes a set of objectives and policies that seek to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape address key issues and identify opportunities for positive change. Structured around four themes – Place, People, Nature, and Climate – each with defined objectives, principles, policies, a vision, and a clear approach to addressing key challenges and opportunities. Aims to inform and influence decisions, stimulate and prioritise action, promote collaboration, and help prioritise resources. Jointly owned by the component local authorities. Audiences include local authorities, members of the Blackdown Hills National Landscape Partnership, public bodies, landowners and managers, local communities and businesses.
Strategic Delivery Plan 2025-2030	Embedded within the Management Plan. Translates the objectives of the Management Plan into high-level actions and delivery goals for the Blackdown Hills National Landscapes Partnership to deliver agreed, measurable outcomes over five years. Focuses on strategic priorities and key programmes, projects, and partnerships. Aligned with the four Management Plan themes: Place, People, Climate, Nature. Its audience includes National Landscapes staff team, National Landscapes partners, funding partners and other stakeholders. The Delivery Plan is subject to change – first version August 2025.
Annual business plans (2025-2026 and annually)	Informed by the Strategic Delivery Plan. Sets out the key priorities and actions for the National Landscape Partnership. Lists objectives and delivery actions under each theme: Place, People, Climate and Nature. Maintains a clear thread from the long-term vision through to specific actions, ensuring that each priority contributes directly to the objectives and policies of the Management Plan. Provides the financial figures for the Defra grant, and the support agreed by the local authority funding partners. Clarify lead/support roles for delivery: some actions are led by the Blackdown Hills National Landscape team, while others are delivered in partnership or supported by the team with leadership from other National Landscape partners.
Monitoring and evaluation	Uses the Protected Landscape Targets and Outcome Framework (PLTOF) and other indicators. Aligns with wider strategies such as the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP), Local Nature Recovery Strategies, and Climate Action Plans. Demonstrates impact and delivery of objectives.

Previous Management Plan 2019-2024

bluebells in hedge with fields and hedges towards horizon

Management Plan 2019-2024

Blackdown Hills AONB Management Plan 2019-2024 Every five years, we create a Management Plan to help guide the work and…

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