The Partnership for the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), would like your views on its Strategy for conserving and enhancing this nationally protected landscape. Chris Woodruff, East Devon AONB Manager, explains Five years ago, there

The Partnership for the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), would like your views on its Strategy for conserving and enhancing this nationally protected landscape.Chris Woodruff, East Devon AONB Manager, explains "Five years ago, there was a statutory duty for local authorities to produce a plan for conserving and enhancing Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which represent some of England's finest countryside and are part of the same family of protected landscapes as National Parks". He adds "Without the same levels of resources as National Parks, independent partnerships were established and tasked with producing Management Strategies for these areas on their behalf. As we approach the successful completion of our first five years of work for the Partnership, it is timely we ask people for their views on our priorities for the next five years policies and work".The review and consultation for the East Devon AONB Management Strategy, coincides with the recent successful bid for £2.4 million funding, also running over the next five years, from the South West Regional Development Agency to support the rural economies of the Blackdown Hills and East Devon AONB's and their surrounding market towns.For full details of the consultation, which runs from 30 July to 30 September 2008, visit www.eastdevonaonb.org.uk or visit the reference section in local libraries or contact the East Devon AONB unit at the East Devon Business Centre, Honiton, 01404 46663.