Natural England

The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Unit, operates throughout, and slightly beyond, the AONB and is funded by the Countryside Agency, Suffolk County Council, Essex County Council and Suffolk Coastal, Babergh, Waveney and Tendring District Councils.  It consists of 25 organisations including landowners and managers, local authorities, conservation bodies, recreation, tourism, agricultural and forestry interests which are committed to working towards the long term management and care of the area.
 
The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Partnership sets the overall direction for the AONB by overseeing the creation and implementation of the Management Strategy.  It also co-ordinates forward planning and allocation of resources for effective management of the area.

A Joint Advisory Committee oversees the work of an AONB Unit by providing policy and strategic guidance and approving annual and strategic business plans. 
 
The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Unit consists of an AONB Manager, Projects Officer, Strategy Officer, Communications Officer, 2 Countryside Officers, Publicity Officer and administrative support.  The Unit's primary purpose is to take forward the vision and Management Strategy for the AONB.  For further information on the work of the Unit visit their website www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org.uk

A Management Strategy for the AONB was produced in 2002 under the provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.  The Strategy provides a vision for the AONB, identifies a series of priority objectives for the area and sets out a detailed action plan to help ensure the objectives are met.

Its purpose is to provide a framework within which all organisations and individuals with an interest in the AONB can contribute towards its conservation and enhancement.  

Statutory policies   

The Suffolk Structure Plan (2001) makes specific policy provision for the AONB.  It states that development which would have a material adverse impact on the Broads, AONB or Heritage Coast will only be acceptable where an overriding national need for development of the particular location can be demonstrated and there is a lack of acceptable alternative sites.  Where development proceeds because of an overriding national requirement, removal and restoration of the site will be required in the event of redundancy at a later date.

Both specific AONB policies are also contained in relevant local plans.
 

A Stour and Orwell Estuaries Management Scheme was published in 2003 to set out the responsibilities of the local authorities in managing different elements of this European Marine Site.  The 1996 Management Plan for the Stour & Orwell Estuaries has also been revised recently.  This document is non-statutory but provides an important management framework and promotes integrated working for the estuaries.

A landscape assessment entitled The Suffolk Coast and Heaths landscape (CCP 406, £7.50) was published by the Countryside Commision in 1993.  A set of landscape guidelines for the AONB were produced in 2001.

A major attribute of the AONB is the substantial area of land and habitats owned by nature conservation organisations and the National Trust. There are 4 National Nature Reserves, 4 Special Areas of Conservation, 7 Special Protection Areas, over 30 Sites of Special Scientific Interest and 4 Ramsar sites. Conservation work is being undertaken on many of these sites.
 
Countryside management includes woodland management, heathland and general habitat management, restoration of landscape features and habitats, pond restoration and providing recreation opportunities such as walk routes.  The Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme has been particularly successful in encouraging the reversion of arable to grazing marshland.
 
The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path running between Lowestoft and Felixstowe is currently being extended around the Shotley peninsula to Manningtree, to link with the Essex Way and Stour Valley Path.
 
The coastal villages experience heavy visitor pressure and suffer from erosional and other related problems. An active programme is being pursued to manage visitor pressure involving a mix of environmental interpretation, promotion of green tourism and awareness raising.
 
The AONB Unit produces a free newspaper each summer - Suffolk Coast and Heaths - and runs an active events programme.