Natural England

The Quantock Hills AONB Joint Advisory Committee (JAC), formerly a Joint Liaison Group, has been in existence since 1974.
 
Its terms of reference are to advise constituent councils in relation to the formulation of proposals within the approved policy for the AONB and to make recommendations for action to the appropriate constituent authorities.
 
The JAC is comprised of elected members of Somerset County Council, Sedgemoor, Taunton Deane and West Somerset District Councils, the Countryside Agency, English Nature and Somerset Association of Parish Councils representatives.
 
The JAC meets quarterly with an annual meeting with more than 40 consultative bodies representing local interests and conservation organisations, for example the Quantock Commoners' Association. The JAC is serviced by Somerset County Council through its Environment and Property Department and close liaison is maintained with the district councils to secure consistency of policy application.
 
The JAC is supported by the AONB Unit which consists of an AONB Manager, Projects Development Officer, Senior Ranger, Ranger and part time Admin Support Officer.  In 2004, the AONB Unit published an AONB Management Plan on behalf of its constituent local authorities.  To find out more about the work of the Unit visit their website www.quantockhills.com 
Statutory policies   

The Somerset Structure Plan Alteration No 2 (1993) contains policies covering the protection of AONBs. These policies aim to give priority to the protection and enhancement of AONB landscapes; that development should contribute to the general economic and social well-being of the area and meet the needs of the existing rural community; that the siting, design, scale and landscaping of developments should be strictly controlled; and that any major development will only be allowed if it is in the national interest where no alternative site or route is available.
 
Other policies include measures to ensure that new agricultural buildings are designed and located to respect the landscape conservation interests of the AONB and that forestry, tree planting and access routes pay particular regard to the importance of the landscape.
 

A landscape assessment entitled 'The Quantock Hills landscape: an assessment of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' (CA17, £8.00) was published in 2003.

Action on the ground

Countryside management projects include practical landscape projects such as woodland and heath management and site management planning with farmers, together with extensive liaison work with the AONB's many group interests.

Visitor policies include work with schools, guided and self-guided walks, information sheets, information boards at all main car parks, waymarking and the promotion of better understanding of the landscape. Visitor policies aim to provide positively for existing visitors, but not to encourage extra numbers.

In addition to its volunteer warden team, there are a number of active, influential groups in the AONB, notably the Friends of Quantock, the Quantock Commoners' Association and the Council for the Protection of Rural England, Somerset Branch.