In a landscape as important as the Kent Downs it is important to plan for the future.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has required each AONB partnership to prepare and review a management plan. The first Kent Downs AONB management plan was published in April 2004, the first revision was published in April 2009.

The management plan sets in place clear aims, policies and actions for the conservation management and enhancement of the AONB for a five year period and sets a longer term vision.

The Kent Downs management plan is the result of a long and detailed consultation process and has been formally adopted by each of the Local Authorities who have the AONB in their area.

The ultimate goal of the Management Plan is to ensure that the natural beauty and special character of the landscape and vitality of the communities are recognised, maintained and strengthened well into the future; in the words of our Chairman, Chris Reynolds, ‘this is a task for everyone to embrace’.

The Kent Downs AONB management plan is available as a series of pdfs.

The management plan will be supported by an action plan which will be published shortly.

Once the action plan has been completed we will publish an Executive Summary of the plan and its actions.

We always welcome your comments and views on the management plan and action plan please contact us.

You can download the Management Plan from this page by right clicking on the links below and selecting "Save Target As...". You will need Acrobat Reader to view these documents.

	Contents/Structure/Setting the Scene
	Vision/Management of AONB
	Landform and Landscape Character
	Biodiversity/Farmed Landscape
	Woodland and Trees/Historic and Cultural Heritage
	Geology and Natural Resouces/Vibrant Communities
	Sustainable Development and Travel/Access enjoyment and understanding /Implementation, monitoring and review

Background to the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan First Revision

Consultation and Participation
The management plan was subject to detailed consultation and participation this is important to be sure we reflect the priorities of local people as well as organisations. Please click here to see the consultation report and here for the Statement of Community Involvement.

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal
It is important to check our vision aims and policies against environmental and sustainability criteria. The management plan has had a detailed Strategic Environmental Assessment, a Sustainability Appraisal and these have been brought together in an Environment Report, please click here to see the Environmental Report.

Appropriate Assessment
The European Habitat regulations require that the revised AONB management plan is assessed to ensure that the objectives and the policies of the plan do not have a significant negative effect on sites which have European importance for their wildlife – Natura 2000 sites. This is an ‘Appropriate Assessment’. Click here to see the Appropriate Assessment Report and here for the table.