New five-year plan to protect and improve Quantock Hills

The Quantock Hills was the first part of England to be designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) in 1956, ensiring its landscape, views, ecology and heritage would be safeguarded from future development.

All Somersets AONBs (the Blackdown Hills, Cranborne Chase, the Mendip Hills and the Quantock Hills) were rebranded as national landscapes in November 2023 in reflection of their "vital contribution" to promoting health and well-being and combating climate change - though this rebrand did not result in any additional powers or funding.

The Quantock Hills National Landscape Partnership has now published its draft management plan, laying out how the area will be preserved and improved up to 2031 - with residents being asked for their feedback before formal approval in the new year.

The partnership brings together a range of organisations from across the public, private and voluntary sector - including Somerset Council, town and parish councils, the National Trust, local farmers and other landowners.

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, all national landscapes must carry out a review of their management plan at least once every five years, to ensure they are still meeting the needs of both local residents and visitors as well as abiding by government conservation measures.

The management plan lays out a vision for how the Quantock Hills will look in 30 years' time, with the following broad objectives:

• Its "distinctive and beautiful character and diversity" is conserved, encompassing the Quantock heaths, woods, farmland, parkland, coast and villages
• The landscape is "resilient" and adapts to climate change
• Nature is "protected, restored and enhanced" through "positive management", with key wildlife habitats being appropriately linked (alongside efforts to combat ash dieback and other similar issues)
• Its historic environment is "protected and understood in detail", with distinctive man-made elements being "retained and conserved"
• Any nearby developments or improvement schemes within the boundary "respect and reinforce local character"
• The area benefits from "high-quality access through a well-maintained network of paths" (including the Coleridge Way and the King Charles III England Coast Path_
• Farming and forestry is carried out in a "productive and sustainable" fashion to "support and enhance the intimate scale, historic character and biodiversity" of the local area
• The area benefits from "sustainable levels of tourism and recreation", ensuring the public can access the area without compromising its beauty or ecology
• The communities have a "strong pride of place", with an "extensive" network of volunteers

Hugh Warmington, chairman of the Quantock Hills National Landscape Partnership, said: "This is an important moment for the communities of the Quantock Hills and those who love visiting here.

"The draft plan sets the priorities for this very special landscape, and how it responds to change.

"Much consultation has been done in the last year, but this is the first chance to see the draft plan in its entirety and to comment on it."

To give your views on the consultation, visit www.quantockhills.com/management-plan-2026-2031 before December 31.

To request a paper copy of the management plan, email quantockhills@somerset.gov.uk or call 01823 451884.

The finished report is expected to come before Somerset Council's executive committee for final approval by the spring of 2026.

Similar management plans have already been reviewed and adopted for both the Blackdown Hills and the Mendip Hills.