AONB Database of Action Plans

Welcome to this Database of Actions arising from AONB Management Plans.

The Database draws together the Actions planned by all the AONBs in England into a single searchable data resource, allowing the rapid identification of projects under specific themes across the country.

AONB Management Plans
By 2004, each of the 37 AONBs in England completed a Management Plan outlining their policies for the following five year period. Each Management Plan resulted in a corresponding Action Plan, setting out in detail the projects and activities proposed within each AONB.

The Management Plans share a similar structure in their approach. All are divided into a series of "themed areas" (referred to as "Local Themes" in this database). Each Local Theme is subdivided into a series of related "Issues" and / or broad "Aims". Each Local Theme is also addressed by a series of "Policies" and / or "Objectives", which explain how the issues raised are to be approached within that AONB.

The "Policies" give rise to "Actions" - specific planned projects, proposals and activities - which seek to implement their objectives. One Action will frequently address a range of Policies, and this is reflected within this database. The Actions have been assembled by the AONBs into Action Plans which accompany the Management Plans.

Central Themes
Although there is much consistency between the Local Themes adopted by each AONB, there are some variations in the terminology used. Therefore, to provide a "common key" to all the Action Plans, a system of "Central Themes" has been adopted, and applied to each Issue, Policy and Action included in this database. The Central Themes are based on a system created by the SWPLF (South West Protected Landscapes Forum) in its regional pilot version of this database. This allows the database to link across varying AONB plans, and also to link to regional and county strategy documents.

Searching the Database
The information contained in this database can be searched in a number of ways. For first-time users, and for rapid searches, we have provided quick search areas for both County and Regional officers, and AONB staff, (accessed through the buttons on the left). For more specific targetted searching, the "Advanced Search" feature allows structured and free text searching of the Issues and/or Aims; Policies and/or Objectives, and Actions.

For more information about AONBs (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in England and Wales, click here to visit the website of the NAAONB (National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).