This chapter describes the legal background to designation, defines natural beauty, describes the geography of the Dorset National Landscape, describes how the designation and place are managed, and describes how the partnership may work beyond the boundary.
National Landscapes are areas of outstanding natural beauty, (AONBs). They are nationally important protected landscapes, sharing the highest level of protection with 13 National Parks. Dorset is one of 46 National Landscapes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. With National Parks, these make up our finest countryside and are protected in the national interest for future generations. National Landscapes are also recognised internationally by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as part of the global family of protected areas.
National Landscapes are designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The purposes of the National Landscape designation were updated and confirmed by the Countryside Commission in 1991 as follows:
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 confirmed the significance of National Landscapes and created improved arrangements for their management. There are three key sections of the Act for National Landscapes:
National Landscapes are defined as areas outside National Parks, but considered to be of such outstanding natural beauty that it is desirable to protect them. Government has confirmed that the landscape qualities of National Parks and National Landscapes are equivalent and current guidance makes it clear that the practical application of the natural beauty criterion is identical for both designations, as is their equivalent importance and protection.
Natural beauty remains largely undefined in legislation, despite being central to the NPAC Act 1949. Since then, qualifications and amendments to the legislation make it clear that natural beauty includes wildlife, geological features and cultural heritage while not being restricted to them.
Government guidance relating to National Landscapes provides a useful non-technical definition: ‘Natural beauty is not just the look of the landscape, but includes landform and geology, plants and animals, landscape features and the rich history of human settlement over the centuries’. More recently the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 clarified that land used for agriculture, woodlands, parkland or with physiographical features partly the product of human intervention in the landscape, is not prevented from being treated as an area of ‘natural beauty’.
Landscape beauty is not limited to the visual character but includes all aspects which underpin and contribute to that character. Landscape function and ecological integrity are important measures of landscape beauty. Therefore, nature recovery and the conservation of built and cultural heritage are central to the statutory purpose to conserve and enhance natural beauty.
The Dorset National Landscape was designated in 1959 and is the fifth largest. It covers 1,129 square kilometres, approximately 42% of the county.
It stretches from Lyme Regis in the west, along the coast to Poole Harbour in the east, and north to Hambledon Hill near Blandford Forum. It covers over half of Poole Harbour, including Brownsea and the smaller islands. Outside of Poole Harbour and the Fleet the designated area ends at mean low water, but with a significant extent of coastline the seaward setting and adjacent marine environment is important to the National Landscape’s condition. The Dorset National Landscape also includes small areas in Somerset and Devon.
The Dorset National Landscape has approximately 76,700 people living within it, 743,000 within 10km and over 2.15 million people living within 65km of the boundary. Some market and coastal towns lie within the National Landscape: Lyme Regis, Bridport, Beaminster and Swanage.
The Dorset National Landscape is connected to land, ecosystems, people and business beyond its boundaries. The Dorset National Landscape lies within an area known for its outstanding environmental quality. To the east are the internationally important urban heaths around Poole and Bournemouth and the New Forest National Park. To the northeast, the Dorset National Landscape shares a boundary with the Cranborne Chase National Landscape near Blandford. To the west lie the Blackdown Hills National Landscape and the East Devon National Landscape which meets the Dorset National Landscape at Lyme Regis and includes the western section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Much of the surrounding countryside in Dorset, while not being covered by landscape designations, is still of extremely high quality. To the north lies the Blackmore Vale, to the south the Isle of Portland and separating the National Landscape’s northern downs from the Isle of Purbeck are the lower Frome and Piddle valleys. Significant and growing urban populations adjacent to the National Landscape at Dorchester, Weymouth, Yeovil, Taunton and the Poole-Bournemouth conurbation look to the National Landscape as an area for leisure and recreation.
As a coastal protected landscape, management of the Dorset National Landscape must also take into account its links to the marine environment. Harbour and saline lagoons lie within the boundary in Poole Harbour and the Fleet. Outside these areas the National Landscape boundary is at Mean Low Water. Activities within the marine elements of the National Landscape as well as out at sea can have significant implications for the character and qualities of the National Landscape, and a high-quality marine environment is just as crucial to the National Landscape’s integrity as a high-quality terrestrial environment.
Most of the Dorset National Landscape is in private ownership and actively farmed (over 70%). The Dorset National Landscape Partnership has influence over the landscape through the planning process, by offering and shaping grants and other incentives, and through guidance and advice. There are many decisions affecting the landscape over which the Partnership has no direct influence; however it seeks to improve understanding of the designation to enable better decisions to be taken.
Delivery of the Dorset National Landscape Management Plan is coordinated by the Dorset National Landscape Partnership, which brings together local authorities, statutory agencies, local community and landowner representatives (key partners are listed in chapter 8). The Partnership has a dedicated staff team which delivers a wide range of projects and advises on activities and initiatives in the National Landscape. Core activity is funded by Defra and Dorset Council as the local authority with responsibility for this National Landscape; significant additional funds are raised for Partnership projects.
The Partnership also works closely with a wide range of organisations, communities and landowners across the area, notably Activate Performing Arts, Dorset Arts Development Company, Dorset Coast Forum, Dorset Council, Dorset Food & Drink, Dorset Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Natural England, RSPB, and many others. The success of the Partnership is dependent on its close working relations with these organisations and those who farm, live and work here.
The National Landscape Partnership also works with the Dorset Health & Wellbeing Board, Dorset Local Nature Partnership, Catchment Partnerships and the Local Access Forum, raising issues and promoting opportunities afforded by the National Landscape.
The Dorset National Landscape Partnership is a member of the National Landscapes Association and Europarc, which bring together the family of protected landscapes national and European levels. Through membership of these bodies, the Dorset National Landscape Partnership develops joint initiatives, shares experience, influences policy and supports campaigns for greater recognition and protection for National Landscapes.
Many of the principles of this Management Plan can be applied to landscapes outside the National Landscape boundary. Where appropriate, the Dorset National Landscape Partnership works with partners to deliver projects across the county of Dorset rather than just within the National Landscape, ensuring that the context of the National Landscape is recognised. Many projects also operate collaboratively to make best use of available resources.