The Land Between the Moors II Project

Throughout 2006 this project has been testing and developing a ‘Local Land Management Framework’ (LLMF) model in the Culm area. In so doing ‘The Land Between the Moors’ is at the forefront of work in the UK, providing a lead for Natural England, the new statutory land management body, which came into being October 2006. The project builds on the work carried out by the Sustainable Land Management Strategy for the Culm Area and is funded by Natural England (formerly the Countryside Agency), Devon and Cornwall County Councils.

Project aims

To test the LLMF model in the context of the Land Between the Moors (LBTM - Culm Landscape Character Area); generating and mapping local aspirations for land management whilst identifying constraints and opportunities offered by existing policies and strategies (national, regional and local) which impact upon land-use and management. The project will evaluate these in light of the LBTM strategy (available here) and through an ongoing community and stakeholder dialogue process.

Project outputs (by end January 2007)

A report assessing and evaluating the LLMF model in readiness for its next stage of development.
A LLMF document for the Culm Joint Character Area.
Development of a GIS based LLMF resource, suitable for public and professional use, which sets out the opportunities and constraints for land-use and land management options in the Culm area.

Who is involved?

The Culm Core Group, a collection of individuals and organisations working under terms of reference, with an interest in the delivery of the Land Between the Moors Strategy, is providing a steering group to oversee and advise the LBTM project with delivery being provided by South West Forest.

A whole range of stakeholders with an interest community, professional, financial or otherwise in land use and land management interests have been involved in the process. Representation includes parish, district, county councillors and officers, government and non-governmental organizations, farmers, foresters, horticulturalists, hospitality sector, land owners, advisors, and conservationists.

Who will benefit?

Ultimately it is anticipated that the communities of the Culm will benefit from this LLMF approach; proofing national, regional and local policies and strategies against local land-use interests, through stakeholder consultation and provision of a web based GIS to help inform land based decision making in the area. In so doing it is hoped that it will support the Local Development Framework process in rural areas and help develop wider of LLMF's by Natural England across the Country.

The area

This map sets out the extent and geographical context of the Culm Countryside Character Area. (Reproduced by permission of Countryside Agency.)

Interim Report - August 2006

An interim report on the LBTM2 project is available (submitted to the Countryside Agency in August 2006). This offers details on progress so far in pre-piloting the creation of a Local Land Management Framework (LLMF) for the Culm Joint Character Area (JCA). An executive summary, brief introduction, context and background are given for the project followed by a more detailed analysis of findings.

The key areas covered in the interim report are:

Engagement with stakeholders in the Culm through stakeholder dialogue as integral part of an iterative process towards the production of a LLMF for the Culm.
Looking at the strategic landscape for the area, identifying key strategy and policy documents which may have a bearing on land-use in the Culm. Furthermore devising a way in which this information can be collated and represented alongside stakeholders’ concerns to help inform the land use decision making process.
Development of a GIS based LLMF which allows easy access for public and professionals to see the land use interests, opportunities and constraints mapped out.

A full and final report is due for submission to Natural England on 31 January 2007.

Bulletin

The Land Between the Moors project bulletin for November 2006 is available here...

The Land Between the Moors project bulletin for August 2006 is available here...

The Land Between the Moors project bulletin for June and July 2006 is available here...

The Land Between the Moors project bulletin for May 2006 is available here...

The Land Between the Moors project bulletin for April 2006 is available here...

The Land Between the Moors project bulletin for March 2006 is available here...

The Land Between the Moors project bulletin for February 2006 is available here...

The Land Between the Moors project bulletin for January 2006 is available here...

Contact

Jim White – LBTM II Project Officer
Cookworthy Forest Centre
Beaworthy
Devon
EX21 5UX

Telephone 01409 221896

Email jim.white@devon.gov.uk