Breadcrumbs
Management arrangements in Cannock Chase
The AONB is currently reviewing its management and governance arrangements. The current Leaders Advisory Body comprising representatives from the constituent local authorities, Forestry Authority, Countryside Agency, Friends of Cannock Chase, and countryside, farming and recreational interests replaced the Chase Forum in 2001, which in turn replaced the earlier Joint Advisory Committee. The review hopes to create a joint executive committee representing all of the local authorities, supported by a wider forum drawing on a range of organisations associated with the AONB. A core AONB Unit comprising of an AONB Officer, Assistant AONB Officer and Office Manager is based at Shugborough Park. Work has concentrated on an impressive public consultation and awareness raising exercise culminating in the production of an interim 'Issues' report during the summer of 2002 which acted as a sounding board for the AONB Management Plan published in 2004. A Heathland Partnership, comprising organisations with an interest in the management of heathlands throughout Staffordshire and the West Midlands, is involved in a range of management and promotional activities within the AONB. A Heathland Project Officer co-ordinates and promotes the work of the Partnership. Members of the county ranger service operate in the AONB, in particular in the country park. They work in conjunction with district council and Forest Enterprise rangers. |
Statutory policies |
The Staffordshire Structure Plan and Review 1986-2001 contains specific protective AONB policies, endorsed by the district councils. Under the Cannock Chase AONB section of the Structure Plan, policies listed include a continuation of measures to conserve and enhance the landscape, nature conservation and recreation interest of the area. Policies seek to avoid large-scale road improvements in order to minimise the growth of traffic across the Chase and there is a presumption against development within the AONB and its buffer zone. In the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Structure Plan 1996-2011 (Consultation Draft Plan October 1997) these policies are largely unchanged, with the addition that development outside the boundary of the AONB which could have an adverse impact on its visual quality will be subject to special scrutiny. These policies are echoed in the Cannock Chase Local Plan (1997), South Staffordshire Local Plan (1996), and deposit versions of the Lichfield District Local Plan and Stafford Borough Local Plan (adoption of both plans by early 1999). The Cannock Chase Study introduces the landscape and natural environment of the Chase and outlines the growing recreational pressures. The Cannock Chase Country Park Management Plan presents objectives to conserve and manage the Country Park which occupies a significant part of the AONB. These aim to maximise the country park's recreational potential while preserving its landscape and biological interest. A landscape assessment was produced by the Countryside Commission in 1994. (The Cannock Chase Landscape, CCP469, £8.00). |
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Action on the ground |
Landscape conservation initiatives such as heather management and scrub clearance focus on the Chase's rare lowland heath. Forest Enterprise is also engaged in woodland enhancement projects including the planting of broadleaved species. Visitor management initiatives are undertaken both by the local authorities and the Forestry Commission. These include parking provision and control, picnic sites, waymarking and maintenance of trails. Three family bicycle routes have been established which are heavily used by the public, a number of other routes have also been waymarked linking the visitor centres, railway station and bus station. Active conservation organisations Local voluntary interests include the Friends of Cannock Chase, Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, West Midlands Birds Club and the Council for the Protection of Rural England, Staffordshire Branch. |
