2.7 Responsibility for Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley

2.7 Responsibility for Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project Area

The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project Area

The nationally designated AONB and Stour Valley project area is shown in the map below.

All statutory bodies and statutory undertakers have a responsibility to pay regard to the purpose of the AONB when decision making. This is not limited to environmental issues but across all their areas of responsibility.

Natural England is responsible for offering advice to Government and others on how AONBs should be managed and protected. Furthermore, Natural England is responsible for recommending to Government on whether to designate land as AONB and are the responsible organisation for undertaking any future boundary variations.

The Stour Valley Project Area

Local Authorities have a statutory function to undertake spatial planning across the area in which they have jurisdiction. Local Authorities have supported an AONB type management in in the Stour Valley project area via financial support to the AONB team.

The Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Advisory Committee and Partnership

To ensure the efficient and co-ordinated management of the AONB and Stour Valley project area, a Joint Advisory Committee and Partnership were formed in 1993.

The Joint Advisory Committee deals with the governance of the AONB staff team and provides strategic direction and a scrutiny function. The Partnership is made up of a diverse range of organisations with an interest in the AONB and Stour Valley project area. It works together to support the conservation and enhancement of the environmental, economic, and social wellbeing of the area by delivering Management Plan policies and objectives.