1.3 How to use the Management Plan

The Management Plan comprises:

1) The Strategy (this document) The strategy has a lifetime of five years and aims to:

• Highlight the special qualities and enduring significance of the area and the importance of its landscape features and identify those that are vulnerable to change;
• Present an integrated vision for the future of the AONB as a whole, in the light of national, regional and local priorities;
• Set out agreed objectives and policies which will help secure that vision; and
• Identify the means by which objectives, actions and overall management will be reviewed.

2) The Action Plan and Annual Progress Report

The Action Plan aims to:

• Detail specific actions which aim to achieve the objectives and policies;
• Define which Partners are involved in each Action;
• Define the timing of delivery of each Action; and
• Monitor progress with each individual Action.

The Annual Progress Report aims to:

• Review, and publicly report on, progress in each 12 month period of the Management Plan.

3) Associated Guidance

• Integrated Landscape Character Guidance for the AONB (provides detailed spatial guidance on landscape, ecological, geodiversity and historic character and sensitivities and recommendations) – to be launched in 2009;
• Visitor management zoning map and policies (published in 1995, provides spatial guidance on sensitivities and management of visitors) – to be reviewed within the lifetime of this plan;
• Norfolk Coast Transport Strategy (launched in 1997 by Norfolk County Council, provides coordinated management of transport and traffic related issues);
• Bird Hide Design Guide (published 2002 in a revised and updated form from an earlier draft, provides guidance on sensitive design and siting of bird watching facilities); and
• Signing guidance (published 2005, provides guidance on sensitive use of signage).

(Further guidance may be produced during the 5 year life of this plan.)

Issues affecting the area and its character have been identified in the previous AONB Management Plan and in studies by partner organisations and were checked and refined through the consultation process to produce this plan.

The combination of existing mechanisms, specific objectives and partnership policies is intended to ensure that progress is achieved on all of the issues identified.  Many partner organisations will contribute to achieving the objectives, although there will normally be one organisation that leads on each action (see the Action Plan).

The Management Plan is aimed primarily at members of the Norfolk Coast Partnership.

It is designed so that member representatives can use the 3 tiers of the Management Plan:

Strategy

• Gain an overview of the AONB, its designation and how it is managed;
• Understand what makes the area special; and
• Access the objectives and policies and use them to support Partner decisions on their activities within the AONB.

Action Plan and Annual Review

• Access and monitor progress on Partner actions within the AONB.

Associated Guidance

Access more detailed information produced by the Norfolk Coast Partnership, some of a spatial nature, and use it to aid decision making.

In addition, Supporting Information provides more in-depth information to aid understanding about the AONB and its designation, the management plan process and the Norfolk Coast Partnership.

Implementation of the objectives, policies and actions will primarily be the responsibility of the members of the Norfolk Coast Partnership.  Ideally, however, the plan needs to be taken into account by all interests with a management role in the area.  The plan provides information and guidance on the AONB and its management for those who wish to contribute to conservation and enhancement of the area's natural beauty - individuals or organisations, with or without a statutory duty towards AONBs under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Others may also find this plan of interest and use and can find more information and depth on the website.