Caring
The Tamar Valley AONB team exists to conserve & enhance the natural beauty & cultural heritage of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, ensuring it can meet the challenges of the future. But we can’t do it alone. Find out how you could become involved in keeping our Valley special. Around 17,000 people live in the towns, villages and hamlets surrounding the Tamar Valley. The challenge is to evolve systems of working the land that will sustain farm families, supply good local food and other products and provide room for wildlife.
Care for our Valley,
so it survives now
and into the future
Volunteering
Planning
The rich heritage and scenic qualities of the Tamar Valley draw people to live here. Therein lies a need for achieving a balance between sustaining the landscape character and a vibrant living countryside. Due to the challenges expected with increased population growth, along with the consequences of a changing climate, wise choices and informed decisions about future development must be made in order to sustain the integrity of this unique area for the benefit of future changes.
The Tamar Valley AONB team has a Planning Advice Officer who works with us one day a week.
Please email planning@tamarvalley.org.uk for all planning enquiries.
Sustainable Development Fund
In 2005 the Sustainable Development Fund was created for AONBs to encourage individuals, community groups and businesses to work together to develop practical and sustainable ways of managing their activities.
The range of projects supported over the years in the Tamar Valley includes the enhancement of village halls, wildlife conservation projects, small-scale renewable energy schemes, water-based recreation, advice for rural businesses and a number of exciting education-based projects.
Grants of between £500 and £1,000 are available through the Fund.
Keep an eye on social media for announcements throughout the year.
Management Plan
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) are designated by the Government for the purpose of ensuring that the special qualities of the finest landscapes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are conserved and enhanced.
The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area.
Local authorities (with responsibilities for AONBs) have a statutory duty to produce these Plans in order to demonstrate how these protected landscapes can be conserved and enhanced. The AONB Partnership then undertakes this process on their behalf.
The Tamar Valley AONB is a hugely important piece of the countryside. There is a Management Plan that sets out how we and our partners will look after the area. With the activities of the local communities, farmers, landowners, businesses and visitors we can help influence, protect and conserve the future of the Tamar Valley AONB.
Please click on the image opposite to read the full Tamar Valley AONB Management Plan 2019-2024.
Supporting documents;
Annex 1a: Landscape Character Areas and Special Qualities – updated March 2019
Annex 1b: Landscape Character Areas and Special Features – updated March 2019
Annual Reviews
The Tamar Valley AONB’s Annual Review outlines the work of the AONB Partnership and team over the last financial year, highlighting project progress and joint working to conserve and enhance natural beauty.
