More than 2,800 people have already contributed to a new strategy to help look after the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Now the draft Management Plan begins its public consultation period on Monday 29th September and comments and suggestions on the content of the new strategy are being invited before Monday 27th October.

The draft Plan is intended to help people look after the special qualities of this nationally recognised landscape, which covers 983 sq. kms of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset.

Wylye valley

A central message of the Plan is the critical importance of a living and working countryside.

The public consultation period will end on Monday 27th October.

The Plan can be viewed on the AONB's website at www.ccwwdaonb.org.uk and at local libraries, information centres and council offices.

Each Parish Council and nearby Town Councils in the AONB have also been sent the draft Plan.

Wardour Castle

Chairman of the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB Steering Group, Dr Richard Potts, said: "The draft Plan offers a vision for the future and a set of 'actions' that all organisations and individuals with an interest in the AONB can 'sign up to' and work on together.

"It is critical that the Management Plan is a 'shared document' and to this end the AONB Partnership is extremely keen to receive comments and suggestions, positive and negative, on the draft Plan".

"The AONB Partnership has made a massive effort to involve the people who live and work in the area," confirms Linda Nunn, Management Plan Officer for the area. "We've held almost 20 public meetings to help shape the strategy and the four Working Groups which have been the 'engines' of the whole process have come together on over 30 occasions".

Grovely Woods

It is hoped that the draft strategy will honestly reflects the thoughts and aspirations of the people who live and work in the area and the many organisations who have an interest in the future of the AONB.

For more information on the Plan and how to see a copy please contact the AONB Team on 01725 516925 or send an email or visit the website.

Add your comment to this story - what does this part of Wiltshire mean to you?

fritz.macaulay@wiltshire.police.uk
I have lived in the area for 40 years and I am now the PC for the Rural area covered by Alderbury Police Station. This area is beatiful but often spoilt by abandoned burntout vehicles and fly tipped rubbish. Careful consideration should be given to prevention of this crime against our rural environment.