Vision

Introduction

The six years since the last Management Plan was produced have seen major changes in the environment, land management, climate and society that have affected the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The re-naming of AONBs to National Landscapes in 2023 was part of the refocusing of priorities to respond to the ecological and climate emergencies, and to highlight that these places are designated for the nation and therefore for everyone. However, the legal term for the designated area remains AONB.

Policy changes at international and national level are reflected in new

ambitions for National Landscape Partnerships as a key delivery mechanism for nature and climate priorities, working closely with Natural England and Defra. These include the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework, the 30 by 30 Criteria and the Local Nature Recovery Strategies as detailed in Section 7. New national legislation has strengthened protection of these areas by amending the duty on relevant authorities to ‘seek to further’, rather than to just ‘have regard to’ the purpose to conserve and enhance natural beauty in fulfilling their duties and making decisions affecting the National Landscape.

This fifth Management Plan is a material consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications. It includes a range of policies to which weight should be given in relevant decisions on developments and land use changes within and in the setting of the National Landscape. The Plan is for the geographic area, not just for the team and Partnership members, with eighteen policies providing a framework to guide actions that conserve and enhance its natural beauty.

The structure of this Plan reflects the fact an AONB is a geographical designation which requires protection and enhancement to meet its purpose, whilst being a priority place for nature and for people to benefit from its protection. The ‘Place’ section covers landscape, development and heritage, the ‘Nature’ section covers wildlife, land management and ecosystem services and the ‘People’ section covers recreation, access, wellbeing and community. (The Plan should be read in conjunction with the North Devon Biosphere Nature Recovery Plan whose detail informs the Nature section whilst avoiding duplication). Two cross-cutting themes of climate and equality, diversity and inclusion are reflected across all three sections due to their interaction with and relevance to so many elements of the Plan. The final sections cover the management structures, delivery of objectives and monitoring of the National Landscape. The State of the National Landscape 2025, a separate report has been strengthened by national data cut to the areas’ boundary, thereby providing additional baselines to monitor trends and achievements in delivering the Vision, aims and national targets.

Map of the North Devon Coast National Landscape

National Landscape Partnership Chair’s Forward

This Management Plan sets out a clear and ambitious framework for the future of the North Devon Coast National Landscape (NDCNL), responding to a period of significant national change while remaining firmly grounded in the distinctive character, communities and landscapes of this remarkable coastline.   

Recent legislation strengthens the role of National Landscapes, particularly through the new duty on relevant authorities to seek to further the purpose of designation. This Plan embraces those changes, recognising the importance of both the designated area and its wider setting in conserving and enhancing natural beauty even though neither statutory consultee status with Local Authorities nor of the Protected Area to include the Taw Torridge Estuary have been achieved. 

 The partnership agreed that climate action and equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded throughout the Plan as cross‑cutting principles, reflecting their fundamental importance to the future resilience, accessibility and relevance of the National Landscape. The increased emphasis on nature recovery, alongside Place and People, is welcomed by the Partnership and is reflected in the structure of the Plan and the aims and objectives of the delivery plan. The State of the National Landscape 2025 report pulls together relevant data and sets new baselines against which the plan’s delivery can be monitored.  

 I joined the AONB Partnership as independent Vice-Chair in 2018 just as the previous 2019-2024 Management Plan was being prepared. Thus, I saw the volume of work and consultation involved then.  The implementation of that 2019-2024 Plan has had its ups and downs mainly due to events and decisions outside our influence, including Covid, but the Partners have continued to offer unfailing support to the staff team and a great deal has been achieved. Looking back through the minutes of Partnership meetings during my time some of our own funded highlights include the Coastal Heritage and Finding Nature’s Footprints projects, Access for All, Power Line undergrounding and the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme, all of which have good legacies for the NDCNL. Involvement with Partners’ and public activities has also been prolific, and examples include the Biosphere’s Nature Recovery Plan and other projects, the High Tide Roost Study, Life on the Verge, West Country Buzz, ELM Pioneers, Dynamic Dunescapes, Climate Emergency work and numerous smaller projects funded through our Sustainable Development Fund amongst many others. 

 In 2021 I became Chair of the Partnership and have weathered the 60th anniversary of our AONB, and the subsequent somewhat contentious rebranding to a National Landscape. I have also seen staff member Dave Edgcombe depart in 2023 after 20 years with the AONB, and 40 years on the North Devon coast. His book Tides of Change shows some fascinating landscape evolution. Last year Jenny Carey Wood departed after 10 years as manager and veteran of two Management Plans. I myself am due to stand down shortly. I have had the privilege of assisting the team to produce the new Management Plan, but we leave it in the hands of the next generation of staff and Partnership members to use it to continue to protect and enhance our splendid coastal landscape.  

Dr. Eirene Williams CEnv FCIEEM(Rtd)

Ministerial Letter of Support

Protected Landscapes are our most iconic and inspiring places. They were created from 1949, with post-war Britain recognising everyone has a right to access the countryside – from Northumberland’s dark skies to the South Downs’ Seven Sisters. 75 years on, the needs are greater than ever, with nature underpinning our health, economy and climate. That’s why this government will empower Protected Landscapes to become greener, wilder and more accessible.

Covering 25% of England, but half of our priority habitats, Protected Landscapes are essential to nature’s recovery. This government understands that we will not achieve our Environment Act targets or commitment to protect 30% of nature by 2030 without Protected Landscapes.

Recovering this natural capital is essential to ensure sustainable economic growth. Protected Landscapes are fundamental to strengthening the nation’s economic health by looking after the natural resources we depend on. Through nature’s recovery, Protected Landscapes protect communities from flooding, fight climate change, enable sustainable food production and create green jobs. They also have a vital role in connecting diverse communities with nature – underpinning the nation’s mental and physical health and reducing the strain on our NHS.

This incredible potential is beginning to be set out in the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework. However, it will only become reality through the work of Protected Landscapes teams in collaboration with local communities, land managers, public bodies and other partners.

Protected Landscape Management Plans provide the focal point for all partners to agree a local ambition and a pathway to deliver it, shaping the future of our most special places, and therefore the country. It is vital that all partners work together to develop and implement Management Plans. To support this collaboration, we have issued guidance on the Protected Landscapes duty which requires relevant authorities to seek to further the purposes of Protected Landscapes.

In recognising their importance to the nation, this government has committed to reinvigorating Protected Landscapes with new legislation, resources and tools. I look forward to developing this with you and other partners because it is only together that we can protect and enhance these remarkable places for generations to come.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Creagh CBE MP
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

Summary of Management Plan Policies

State of the National Landscape Report 2025

As part of the review process for the Management Plan, a “State of the National Landscape” report was produced in 2025. The report pulls together the data and information gathered by the National Landscape team, with its partners including Natural England. It presents data collated in the autumn of 2025 alongside comparable data from annual reviews and reports, where such exists, or to alternative baselines against which there are comparisons and trends. The full report can be downloaded here.

• 23%

  Priority habitat

• 14

  SSSIs

• 26%

  SSSI features in favourable condition

• 33%

  in agri-environment schemes

• 176

  Farm holdings

• 63%

  Land under agriculture

• 1,867.7 ha

  (11%) Woodland

• 2,000 km

  of hedgerows

• 3.5%

  Ancient woodland

• 43%

  Reduction in greenhouse gas 2003–2023

• Average age

  48

• Population

  12,300

• 18%

  Residents registered as disabled

• 207 km

  Public Rights of Way

• 1473 ha

  of accessible green infrastructure

• 8/10

  Bathing beaches are excellent

• 2m

  Visitors a year

• 25

  Scheduled monuments

• 6

  heritage assets at risk

• 416

  Listed Buildings

• 

  North Devon Coast

  National Landscape

Statement of Significance and Natural Beauty

The North Devon Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was designated in 1959 and confirmed by the Secretary of State in 1960. It was the first of the five Devon AONBs to be designated. It covers 171 square kilometres (66 square miles) of mainly coastal landscape including special places such as Combe Martin, Lee Bay, Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton, Braunton Burrows, Northam Burrows Country Park, Westward Ho!’s Pebble Ridge and the Hartland Peninsula. The extensive, mobile, dune system at Braunton Burrows has an immense diversity of wildlife and lies at the heart of the AONB. In 2002 Braunton Burrows earned the international status of a UNESCO World Biosphere with the AONB being an important aspect of its core and buffer zone. The statement of significance defines what makes the North Devon coast special, describes the natural beauty of the areas and identifies the qualities that justify its designation as a nationally important landscape.

Special Qualities and their Characteristics

Purpose of the Designation and the Management Plan

The natural beauty is as described in the statement of significance. Subsequent legislation has emphasised that in pursuing the primary purpose, account should be taken of the needs of agriculture, forestry and rural industries as well as the economic and social needs of local communities. Regard should be paid to social and economic development that conserves and enhances the natural and historic environment. Whilst recreation is not an objective of the designation, the demand for recreation should be met insofar as it is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty.

To Conserve and Enhance Natural Beauty

Duty on Relevant Authorities

The protection of AONBs was strengthened in 2023 by amending the duty on local authorities regarding the purpose and extending it to all relevant authorities. Clause 245 Protected Landscapes of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 places a duty on relevant authorities in respect of their actions, decisions and operations whereby they ‘must seek to further’ the statutory purpose of the National Landscape. Guidance and case law are interpreting this new duty, that has replaced the ‘duty of regard’.

Purpose of the Management Plan

• Describe the natural beauty to be conserved and enhanced, and special qualities
• Summarise the trends in the condition of the natural beauty and socio-economic character of the area
• Describe the drivers for change and issues acting on the designation
• Present the ambition and strategy including the contributions of delivery partners.
• Identify management approach and policies to guide activity and decisions
• Establish measures of progress and success, including specific targets and timelines

Audience for the Management Plan

• A plan for the geographic area prepared by the National Landscape Partnership and team
• Local planning authorities who have the statutory duty to prepare and review the AONB Management Plan
• Relevant authorities such as government, government agencies, local authorities, parish councils, utility companies
• Landowners, land managers and developers
• Local communities, businesses, voluntary sector organisations and visitors

National and Local Policy Context

Public Survey Results

As part of the review of the Management Plan, an online public survey was promoted in late 2024 to gauge public views on the National Landscape in terms of awareness, values and priorities. There were 466 responses of whom 92% know it is a designated area, 62% live in or in the setting of the National Landscape and 90% were aged over 35. 55% live or work in the National Landscape and a further third visit weekly or monthly. Their top activities or reasons for visiting are walking, relaxation/peace/quiet and surfing/swimming/water sports, followed by wildlife watching and dog walking. Two-thirds travel by vehicle to the area with half then walking, cycling or using buses to move around. Having asked what respondents valued most about the National Landscape, they were then asked to prioritise actions to conserve and enhance the area into the future and these are the top responses:

Cross-Cutting Themes

Two themes have a significant impact across the whole plan and are considered intrinsic to all operations and therefore cross-cutting and integrated into all sections. Firstly, the climate emergency has become even more pronounced since the review of the last Management Plan, with impacts on most elements of this Plan and is being addressed through a range of specific work at the local, regional, national and international level. Secondly, National Landscapes are for everyone and for this to be achieved it requires integrating equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the management, development, implementation and monitoring of the Plan to reach and benefit a wider diversity of communities. These two themes are integrated into the Place, Nature and People chapters guided by the following principles and targets: –

Climate

Many Partnership members are signed up to the Devon Carbon Plan and actively working under the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Climate Adaptation Strategy to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Guidance from Natural England highlights the role of National Landscape Management Plans in contributing to targets through the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework (PLTOF):

In addition, all National Landscapes will produce a Climate Change Adaptation Plan by 2028, to complement the Management Plan. This will be produced with partners based on the Devon Climate Adaptation Plan and evidence from national datasets, customised to the profile of the area.

Climate Principles

1. Developing renewable energy appropriate to the landscape, such as solar panels on roofs rather than fields, and installations at a small scale, domestic or through shared community projects.
2. Developing nature-based solutions to rebuild the natural functioning of ecosystems, such as increasing tree cover to store carbon dioxide or slowing the flow of water to reduce flooding.
3. Promoting active travel options that reduce private car use such as public and community transport, and developing walking, cycling and accessibility infrastructure.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Partners and stakeholders working to deliver the Management Plan priorities, must actively address how they work, who they work with and who benefits to increase equality, diversity and inclusion. National Landscapes are designated for everyone and in addition to being welcoming, an active approach is needed to address barriers, preconceptions and exclusions that affect both physical and psychological engagement. Physical access to the health and wellbeing opportunities of the National Landscape are addressed in a national target, but other local indicators are included to support a wider range of monitoring: –

EDI Principles

1. Taking positive action to increase diversity in representation on the Partnership, in core and project teams.
2. Monitoring attendance, activities and engagement methods to ensure reach and opportunity for diverse communities
3. Engaging new audiences through new networks, contact methodologies, creative opportunities and working in partnership
4. Providing volunteering opportunities to increase knowledge, understanding, skills and promote connection to nature, landscape and heritage
5. Providing skills training within all projects and programmes of work to ensure a legacy of skills and knowledge to conserve and enhance the National Landscape

Place

Landscape and Seascape

The North Devon coast’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty cover a long and narrow sliver of largely coastal land based on the catchments of the coastal streams of Hartland and North Devon. This reflects the reasons for designation – coastal cliffs, coastal scenery and sand dune systems. To assist in the management of the areas several Landscape Character Assessments have been undertaken which can be viewed as maps on the DCC Environment Viewer. These Assessments provide an objective appraisal of what special features and qualities make the landscape valuable and worthy of conservation. They look at the local character, sense of place and drivers for landscape change to inform decisions on development, land management and nature recovery, with guidelines to protect, manage and plan for the area.

Alongside the Devon Landscape Character Areas produced in 2011, there are the Landscape Character Types from the 2023 North Devon and Torridge Landscape Character Assessment Update and the Seascape Character Assessment for the Exmoor and North Devon Coast produced in 2015 in response to proposed offshore renewable energy production and to help protect the coastline for future generations. The Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC) identifies and interprets the varying historic character within an area looking beyond individual heritage assets. The North Devon Coast, as it appears today, is strongly influenced by the HLC.

Devon Character Areas and the Setting

The Devon Character Areas are geographically unique and recognisable at a county level. They provide a valuable evidence base for the National Landscape Partnership, local planning decisions and development of local plans, by articulating what is distinctive and special.

Landscape Character Types

The more detailed Landscape Character Types described in the North Devon and Torridge Joint Landscape Character Assessment 2023 are used as the basis for advice on and decisions regarding proposed developments and land use change in the National Landscape. They include guidance to protect, manage and adapt the landscape and its uses to respond to biodiversity, climate and development pressures.

Geology

The ‘geodiversity’ of the North Devon Coast encompasses a variety of rocks, minerals, fossils, landforms, sediments and soils, working together with natural processes, such as erosion and landslips that may still be active. The rocks, fossils and minerals have been formed over millions of years, shaping the landforms of the area and providing much of the spectacular scenery along the coastline.

The underlying geology is a mixture of carboniferous sandstones and shales, Devonian slates, sandstones and volcanics, with areas of transition sandwiched in between. Spectacular zig-zag patterns in the carboniferous rocks can be seen along the Atlantic coast at Hartland Quay. This illustrates how the rocks were crumpled and contorted by the collision of crustal plates and thrust up into mountains. In the northern part of the AONB, the slates and sandstones provide building materials, clearly visible in the village of Mortehoe. A scattering of Limestone intrusions around Ilfracombe and Combe Martin have left their legacy in the remains of industrial heritage such as lime kilns and burners.

Within the North Devon Coast AONB there are 10 designated geological SSSI, with 102 features of which 51% are in a favourable or favourable recovering condition as of 2024. Additionally, there are thirteen Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) defined due to their value for education, geological research or aesthetic reasons. Whilst they are non-statutory designations, they can be recognised as important “material considerations” when local authorities assess relevant planning applications.

The Setting

Developments and management activities outside of the designated area but in the setting, be it on land or at sea, can have a profound effect across the entire National Landscape due to its narrowness and topography. This is recognised in Section 85 of the CRoW Act 2000 and the amended duty ‘to further the purpose’ in LURA 2023 which state that the duty applies to ‘functions undertaken outside the of the designation boundary which affects land within the protected landscape’. Particular mention is made of the importance of functional connectivity with the setting in terms of water resource management, ecological connectivity, access and recreation.

The main features in the setting include: the Taw Torridge Estuary and the wider catchments of these two rivers which specifically affect water quality, biodiversity, tranquillity and visual impact; the headwaters of the river Torridge starting in the Hartland peninsula; the marine environment including the Atlantic Ocean, the Bristol Channel and Lundy Island which impact on the seascape, visual impact, recreational impact and biodiversity; and the settlements of Ilfracombe, Northam and Westward Ho! with effects on tranquillity, visual impact and recreation. Much of the setting has its own protections and designations including the AONB, Lundy Island and Braunton Great Field and Marshes defined as Heritage Coast in 1990 for Hartland and in 1992 for North Devon and up to two nautical miles from the mean low water mark. The Taw Torridge Estuary is a designated SSSI and there are two Marine Conservation Zones covering most of the coastline – Hartland Point to Tintagel and Bideford to Foreland Point. The biodiversity value of the setting reflected in these protections, both marine and terrestrial, underlines the importance of ecological connectivity to avoid barriers to the movement of species and opportunities for nature recovery.

Planning

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) provides specific planning guidance in relation to National Landscapes, and has been regularly updated since 2012 with the latest version published in December 2024. This confirms that National Landscapes [and National Parks] have the highest status of protection in the planning process for conserving and enhancing landscapes and scenic beauty and that great weight should be given to these matters. It adds that the scale and extent of development should be limited, while development within their setting should be sensitively located and designed to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on the designated areas. In relation to major development, permission should be refused in these areas other than in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated that it is in the public interest. The NPPF also references the importance of high standards of design and materials that reflect the identity of the local built and natural environment. The avoidance and reduction of noise and light pollution are addressed with references to protecting tranquil areas and intrinsically dark landscapes.

The North Devon and Torridge Local Plan

The plan contains specific policies related to the designated AONB and its setting and confirms the AONB Management Plan is a ‘material consideration’ in the planning process:

Sustainable Development

The National Landscape is a living and working landscape that must adapt to the evolving needs of all communities, businesses, visitors, nature and climate. Some of these changes can be managed through development legislation and processes where relevant authorities will apply the duty to further the purpose to conserve and enhance, in plans, strategies and decisions. Other changes require proactive work with people to increase understanding and motivate behaviour change, whether from landowners, communities, businesses or visitors.

Developments that meet the following criteria are more likely to be supported: reflect local design and heritage; use locally sourced building stone; meet clearly evidenced needs; respond to the landscape character; and avoid harm to the natural beauty and special qualities of the National Landscape. The combined pressures of new housing targets, high house prices and competition from holiday homes and second homes present difficulties for local people to find and afford accommodation within and near to the National Landscape. However, there is a presumption in national legislation against major development in the AONB, therefore new housing is likely to be infill within development areas, of small scale (under 10 units) or local needs housing. The demand for local needs housing is supported by a revised policy but each proposed site will be individually assessed to avoid harm to natural beauty and further the purpose of the designation. The area will continue to need essential infrastructure to meet transport, utilities and communications requirements and added to these are renewable energy installations at domestic and commercial scale, both onshore and offshore to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Development decisions will be informed by local, Devon-wide and national policies combined with conditions to avoid and mitigate consequences on natural beauty.

Heritage and Cultural Traditions

The long social and cultural history of North Devon is reflected in the landscape, shaped by centuries of farming practices as seen in the strip field systems, hedge banks with facings of slate and stone or remnants of orchards and soft fruit production. Human habitation of the area stretches back to pre-historic times with ancient burial mounds, coastal hillforts, historic farmsteads, remote fishing villages and ancient landscape features. The maritime and agricultural heritage are reflected in local culture and traditions often linked to the seasons or particular historic events. The remoteness of this landscape at the periphery of South West England and its protection through landscape designations, has ensured that many historic features are still visible today whether from the Iron Age or from the Cold War in the 1950s. There are 25 scheduled monuments in the AONB, 416 listed buildings, 12 conservation areas and one registered Historic Park and Garden.

A further 1100 new monuments were identified through the National Mapping Programme which carried out analysis of historic hard copy photos (e.g. from the 1940’s), LIDAR and archaeological aerial surveys of the North Devon AONB in 2013. These included a possible southern extension of the iconic Iron Age hillfort of Clovelly Dykes, the effect of military action on the landscape such as explosions at Northam Burrows, fish weirs and wrecks from the eighteenth century onwards. Full details are available on the Devon Historic Environment Record and the Heritage Gateway record of historic sites and buildings.

Place Outcome, Drivers for Change and Policies

Place Aims, Objectives and Measures of Success

Nature

Habitats and Species

Walking the 90km of the South West Coast Path in the designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that span the North Devon coast is a journey through an almost unbroken chain of priority coastal and lowland habitats. Priority habitats cover 23% of the designation, predominantly deciduous woodland, coastal sand dunes and maritime cliff and slope. Additionally, coastal heathland, lowland meadows, lowland dry acid grasslands and culm grasslands all add to the mosaic of habitats of the National Landscape. The rocky coastline below mean high-water provides fantastic tidal habitat on a range of exposures with excellent rockpools, intertidal under-boulder communities and Sabellaria (honeycomb worm) reefs.

The varied landscape supports a rich wildlife resource, the highlight of which are three internationally designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). At the centre of the National Landscape sits the spectacular Braunton Burrows SAC with over 1,000 ha of priority coastal habitats including some of the UKs best sand dune systems and supporting over 470 plant species. The Tintagel-Marsland-Clovelly Coast SAC covers 30 km of the coast from Marsland Mouth to Peppercombe, a belt of intertidal rock and boulders, vegetated sea cliffs and coastal heathland giving way to deciduous woodland where topography provides shelter. Approximately 17% of the National Landscape is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest across 14 sites. Of the 55 biological features across 10 of the SSSI sites, 39% are in “favourable” or “unfavourable recovering” condition. An additional 54 locally designated County Wildlife Sites cover 5% of the AONB

The decline in UK biodiversity is widespread and the wildlife-rich habitats of the North Devon Coast are often fragile, fragmented and under threat from multiple factors. Monitoring of the condition of priority habitats is limited and the data available suggests much more needs to be done to conserve and enhance these vital sites. The State of Nature Report 2023 identified the UK as one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth. The report highlights drastic and continued decline in species abundance and diversity across England. This Management Plan has a greater focus on nature to better respond to the ecological emergency using the approach from ‘Making Space for Nature’, the 2010 review of England’s wildlife sites that set out the “Lawton principles” of more, bigger, better and joined habitats. The condition and extent of the habitats present on the North Devon Coast are vital for a healthy and functioning ecosystem in which plants and wildlife can thrive. This in turn supports healthy soils which store and sequester carbon and slow the flow of water, reducing flood risk and improving water quality. The North Devon Coast National Landscape Partnership will prioritise habitats and species of conservation concern highlighted in the North Devon Biosphere Nature Recovery Plan. Rather than duplicate that report, the Partnership will work towards delivery of actions in the Nature Recovery Plan of strategic importance to the National Landscape.

Farming and Land Management

The National Landscape is a farmed landscape reflecting centuries of land management traditions and change. 63% is under agriculture and 41% of the eligible land area is managed in agri-environment schemes. With nearly 180 commercial holdings and an estimated 100 smallholdings, the majority are engaged in livestock farming, 55% lowland grazing and 8% dairy, reflecting the poorer quality of agricultural land. General cropping farms make up an additional 20% of businesses and a handful specialise in poultry, pigs, forestry or horticulture. There are six larger estates within the National Landscape, with the biggest being the National Trust who own around 11% of the area across several large holdings. In contrast there are increasing numbers of small sites under 5 ha being offered for sale and then purchased and managed specifically for wildlife with ponds, orchards, hedgerows, tree planting and wildflower meadows with no commercial farm activity.

The farmed landscape provides an important habitat resource alongside its economic, social and heritage roles. The mosaic of grazed pasture, hedges and woodlands in North Devon support nationally significant populations of Greater Horseshoe bats. Farmland also presents the greatest opportunities to connect, create and expand habitats, and increase canopy cover in the delivery of the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework. Advising and supporting landowners to successfully integrate nature-based solutions with their commercial farm activities will build more resilience into the farmed landscape, for example to better manage water flows on farms and mitigate the impacts of increasing extreme weather events. Optimising take up of agri-environment schemes and grant programmes can support improved hedgerow management or creation of new hedgerows, orchards, woodland and species-rich grasslands to improve the connectivity of fragmented and isolated habitats. Hedgerow trees, in-field trees, copse management and woodland creation schemes will increase the canopy cover of the National Landscape, whilst being sensitive to both Landscape Character Type and farm productivity. Water quality is a high-profile issue on the bathing beaches and surfing areas adjacent to the National Landscape, but the area is not in a nitrate vulnerable zone, does not provide drinking water and is not vulnerable to urban flooding issues (although isolated incidents of  flooding have occurred at Hartland). The five water bodies feed into the sea and are mainly of moderate or good quality with occasional small scale sewage overflows or agricultural runoff (Umber and Abbey streams). However, pollution issues within the Taw Torridge estuary do impact on the sandy beaches and inter-tidal habitats, alongside washed in marine litter and beach litter, aggravated by storms and tides.

Nature Outcomes, Drivers for Change and Policies

Nature Aims, Objectives and Measures of Success

People

Nature tourism

Tourism is a vital part of the local economy with visitors drawn to the National Landscape by the stunning beaches, dramatic coastlines, water sports, the South West Coast Path and the tranquillity and dark skies of the Hartland Peninsula and Exmoor fringes. In 2023, the North Devon and Torridge region welcomed around 4.9 million visitors contributing over £350 million, but there has been more than a 10% decline in the number of visitors in the last ten years, and day visits to the coast are down by 25%¹. Within the National Landscape itself, despite a temporary boost following the COVID-19 pandemic, overall visitor numbers have continued to fall. There has been a decline in visitor numbers from 2.9m in 2016 to 2.1m in 2023, staying trips have decreased by 25%, day visits by 29% and tourism-supported employment down 25%, with overall spend down by 3% since 2016².

Visit Devon markets the area as ‘England’s Adventure Coast’ with a focus on water sports, walking and beach getaways as well as its high quality and diversity of nature and heritage with a National Landscape and Exmoor National Park. This has been enhanced by the status of World Surfing Reserve covering 30km of North Devon’s coastline including five surfing beaches from Saunton to Lynmouth. Announced in 2022 and overseen by a Local Stewardship Council, it is the twelfth reserve in the world designated by the international group ‘Save the Waves’ and the only cold water reserve with many of the best waves arriving in the winter season, contributing to year-round tourism spend. The increasing focus on nature based tourism is a positive attempt to value the high quality natural environment, increase access and opportunities for all, and engage businesses and visitors with nature and landscape to encourage them to care for it whilst enjoying themselves. A partnership between the Biosphere and district councils has supported a Nature Tourism officer to deliver this work across the whole Biosphere. However, there is great diversity in the visitor population reflecting historical tourism flows, a wide range of visitor accommodation types and changing activity trends among visitors and service providers. North Devon’s coast provides both high end and budget opportunities for those wishing to enjoy the area. This presents a challenge to agencies including the National Landscape Partnership to provide appropriate messages and use a range of communication methods to reach as wide an audience as possible through social media, traditional media, business communications and on-site information.

Access, recreation, health and wellbeing

The North Devon coast is challenging to access given the high sea cliffs, high tidal range, rocky shores, single track roads, lack of public transport and hilly terrain. However the benefits are enormous from both the scenic beauty and the network of paths, open access land and opportunities for sport and recreation. The National Landscape has 207km of Public Rights of Way, plus the 90km of the South West Coast Path which has become part of the new King Charles III England Coast Path which provides considerable economic value to the area. The South West Coast Path is one of the most popular National Trails in England, and this can lead to direct and indirect impacts on the local environment arising from transport, visitor and tourism business pressures.

The 935 hectares of ‘Open Access’ land, as defined under the CRoW Act, covers just over 5% of the total area within the National Landscape, much of it along the coast path and including the wide sandy beaches found from Westward Ho! through Saunton, Croyde, Woolacombe and smaller beaches along to Combe Martin. North Devon is known for its water sports particularly surfing, however other water sports such as kayaking, coasteering, paddle boarding and wild swimming have become increasingly popular and reaching previously inaccessible or less visited sites. All of these have the potential to connect more people with nature and for them to benefit from these green and blue spaces, but careful management is required to avoid activities impacting negatively on habitats, species and protected sites.

Although there has been a range of works and projects over the years to improve access for people with varying physical abilities or mobility issues, the more recent trend is to take a broader health and wellbeing approach. This has increased attention on the potential of protected landscapes to contribute to the health and wellbeing of resident and visiting populations. Evidence of the value of being in or just looking at natural environments, particularly green and blue environments, for both physical and mental health is growing. In response, National Landscape Partnership members have broadened out and customised their activities to meet the needs of very different groups within the population. This can range from targeting children in local schools who have never been to the beach, outdoor activities for Afghan and Ukrainian refugees settling in North Devon, offering artistic activities linked to the natural environment to engage people not usually interested in the environment, organising non-competitive physical activities and celebrations, and using special interests to stimulate exploration and activities in the countryside (history, art, music, literature, film).

Community

The National Landscape designation and the associated high quality environment offers many positive aspects for residents, businesses and visitors. As a landscape of national importance it is essential to optimise the benefits of visiting, living or working in the area and make it accessible to all whilst conserving and enhancing natural beauty. However, as a remote rural area with a population of just under 10,000, local communities face challenges in terms of infrastructure capacity, maintaining local facilities and services, a low wage economy overly dependent on agriculture and tourism, high house prices and rents, limited public transport, sparse public EV charging network, and pressures from some two to three million visitors a year. The community-based priorities for this Plan are providing opportunities to welcome everyone to enjoy and experience the area, to identify, understand and address the barriers to experiencing the National Landscape and to positively engage with new communities. Additionally, experiencing the National Landscape can be an important opportunity to increase understanding of nature and climate, and thereby inspire behaviour change to address the climate and nature emergencies.

Providing opportunities to gain experience, to learn and to volunteer are important priorities alongside nature connections, citizen science and outdoor experiences. Established programs delivered by partners provide long-standing and well-developed opportunities engagement in the NDCNL including the work of Torridge District Council, The National Trust, Earth Action North Devon and other charities. These actions are bolstered through the activities of National Landscape partner organisations and numerous externally funded projects, for example Finding Nature’s Footprints, Connect 2 Nature at Braunton Countryside Centre and the Biosphere’s Pledge for Nature and Biosphere Communities projects. The National Landscape’s small grant scheme (the Sustainable Development Fund) provides small grants to support community facilities and services, reducing barriers to accessing the coast and countryside, and actions for nature and heritage conservation. Using a wide range of communication techniques is essential to reach different audiences from websites and social media to posters, traditional media, leaflets and noticeboards.

People Outcomes, Drivers for Change and Policies

People Aims, Objectives and Measures of Success

Partnership and Management

The governance arrangements for the National Landscape were established in 2006 under the guidance of the former Countryside Agency. Since 2011, Defra has provided direct funding to the host authority (Devon County Council) to support the review and oversight of the Management Plan and coordination of the Partnership and staff team. This funding covers 75% of the core running costs, the remaining 25% coming from the three local authorities covering the National Landscape. In 2024 as well as the core activities expected of a National Landscape team, Defra set non-statutory targets for every protected landscape area in England to deliver goals in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 through the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework. These have been incorporated into the Management Plan. Local governance arrangements are specified in a Memorandum of Agreement between the three Local Authorities.

The North Devon Coast National Landscape Partnership

The Partnership  is a voluntary, non-executive body with Terms of Reference and a Code of Conduct which meets three times a year to review the Management Plan, oversee delivery of the Plan, champion the National Landscape, provide advice and guide work within the area, convene and collaborate to implement the Plan’s aims and targets. The Partnership has sub-groups overseeing key areas of work such as planning, SDF grant allocations and communications. The Partnership is comprised of representatives from:

Delivery and Monitoring

Delivery

The aims and objectives set out in the plan are to conserve and enhance the North Devon Coast National Landscape. Delivery of these ambitions will require the combined effort of the relevant authorities, the National Landscape Partnership, Landowners, communities, members of the public and the National Landscape team.  The Strategic Delivery Plan is a key part of the Management Plan and can be found in the appendices. It outlines the strategic high-level actions over the five-year period required to deliver the Management Plan’s ambitions across Place, Nature, People, Climate, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, based on the aims and objectives set out in earlier sections of this plan.

It has been included separately in the appendices to enable it to be updated more readily through the plan period.

Monitoring

There are two types of measures of success in this Plan, those related to national targets and national data sets monitored by Natural England through the Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework and those reported on or measured locally to report on achievement of Objectives. Some data has longstanding baselines and others have only been produced in the last few years. In terms of reporting to the Partnership and the wider public, this is done through several different approaches: the five-yearly State of the National Landscape report, the National Landscape Review produced every other year and reporting three times a year to the National Landscape Partnership. It should be noted that monitoring data for all of the PLTOF targets and some of the local targets relies on government agencies to produce and update national data sets and this is outside the control of the team and Partnership. The tables below provide a summary of the data gathered by the National Landscape team to monitor delivery of management plan aims and objectives.

Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework (PLTOF)

1. National PLTOF Target: Restore or create more than 1,400 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitats within the North Devon Coast National Landscape, outside protected sites by 2042 (from a 2022 baseline).
   Indicator: Extent of wildlife rich habitat created or restored within Protected Landscapes, outside of protected sites
2. National PLTOF Target: 80 % of SSSIs within Protected Landscapes in favourable condition by 2042
   Indicator: % of SSSIs within Protected Landscapes in favourable condition
3. National PLTOF Target: For 60% of SSSIs within Protected Landscapes assessed as having ‘actions on track’ to achieve favourable condition by 31 January 2028
   Indicator: % of SSSIs within Protected Landscapes assessed as having ‘actions on track’ to achieve favourable condition 
4. National PLTOF Target: Continuing favourable management of all existing priority habitat already in favourable condition outside of SSSIs (from a 2022 baseline) and increasing to include all newly restored or created habitats through agri-environmental schemes by 2042
   Indicator: Extent of priority habitat within Protected Landscapes, outside of protected sites, in favourable management through agri-environment schemes
5. National PLTOF Target: Ensuring at least 65% to 80% of land managers adopt nature friendly farming on at least 10% to 15% of their land by 2030
   Indicator: % of land managers adopting nature-friendly farming on a percentage of their land
6. National PLTOF Target: Reduce net greenhouse gas emissions in Protected Landscapes to net zero by 2050 relative to 1990 levels
   Indicator: The level of greenhouse gas emissions within Protected Landscapes
7. National PLTOF Target: Restore approximately 130,000 hectares of peat in Protected Landscapes by 2050. Not applicable to North Devon Coast NL due to lack of deep peat soils.
   Indicator: Extent of peat under restoration in Protected Landscapes
8. National PLTOF Target: Increase tree canopy and woodland cover by 200ha of total land area in the North Devon Coast National Landscape by 2050 (from 2022 baseline).
   Indicator: Extent of tree canopy and woodland cover in Protected Landscapes
9. National PLTOF Target: Improve and promote accessibility to and engagement with Protected Landscapes for all using existing metrics in our Access for All programme
   Indicator: Metres of accessible path as a percentage of total path
   Number of accessible toilets and rest stops
   Number of disability accessible parking spaces
   Number of accessible gates and gaps
   Number of visits and volunteer days facilitated by new equipment
   Number of schools engaged (primary and secondary) both inside and outside the Protected Landscape boundary
   Number of volunteer days
   Number of accessible or easy access routes for which wayfinding has been created or improved
   Policies in place to ensure Protected Landscapes are taking positive action to widen the diversity of their staff, boards and volunteers
10. National PLTOF Target: Decrease the number of nationally designated heritage assets in Protected Landscapes to be deemed at risk
    Indicator: Number and % of nationally designated heritage assets in Protected Landscapes to be deemed at risk. To separately cover the categories of: 
    • scheduled monuments
    • registered parks and gardens
    • registered battlefields
    • listed buildings (grade I or II*)
    • protected wreck sites

Glossary

Affordable Housing

Housing for sale or rent, for those whose needs are not met by the market

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

An area of high scenic quality which has statutory protection in order to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of its landscape.

Biodiversity

The variety and variability of life on Earth measured at the genetic, species or ecosystem level. Includes wildlife and flora.

Biodiversity Net Gain

An approach and policy that seeks a net gain for biodiversity on a development site or through provision on an alternative site, with an overall objective to address the significant species loss recorded in the UK.

Conservation Area

An area of special architectural or historic interest, the character of which it is desirable to conserve.

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

This Act provides for public access on foot to certain types of land, amends the law relating to public rights of way, increases measures for the management and protection for Sites of Special Scientific Interest, strengthens wildlife enforcement legislation and provides for better management of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

County Wildlife Site (CWS)

Sites of significant wildlife value from a county perspective.

Culm Grassland

Damp unimproved grasslands that are found overlying the Culm Measures of North Devon and North East Cornwall.

Ecosystem services

The benefits that humans freely gain from the natural environment (see Natural Capital).

ELMS

The Environmental Land Management Scheme is a government programme that provides financial incentives and support to landowners. It encourages changes to land management practices that provide environmental benefits.

SFI

Sustainable Farming Incentive is a component of ELMS providing financial incentives to farmers who implement practices that improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane released into the atmosphere by human activity that contribute to climate change through the greenhouse effect. They are primarily produced from burning fossil fuels, industry and land use change.

Historic Environment

All aspects of the environment resulting from the interaction between people and places through time, including all surviving physical remains of past human activity, whether visible, buried or submerged, and landscaped and planted or managed flora.

Heritage Coast

Stretches of undeveloped coast, defined by local authorities, for their outstanding scenic value where resolution of conflicts is needed between recreation, conservation, access and agriculture.

Landscape

The visible features of an area of land including physical landforms, water bodies, vegetation, land use, buildings, structures and transitory elements such as lighting and weather conditions.

Landscape Character Assessment (LCA)

A tool used to understand and articulate the character of the landscape, identifying sense of place and distinctions between areas.

Landscape Character Type (LCT)

Distinct types of landscape which are generic in character and share similar combinations of geology, landform, vegetation and land use.

Landscape Resilience

Creating healthy and adaptable landscapes for species and people by developing core areas and networks that support climate adaptation and deliver ecosystem benefits.

Listed Building

A building of notable architectural or historic interest listed by the Secretary of State under the Planning Act 1990. Buildings must be at least 30 years old.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS)

A strategy that agrees priorities for nature recovery and proposes actions in locations where they will have greatest impact.

Local Nature Reserve

Land owned or controlled by local authorities that is protected for its nature conservation value.

Local Housing Needs

The scale, type, size and tenure of housing needed in a settlement, including affordable housing, and the wider area it serves.

National Landscape

The national rebrand of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 2023 to highlight their national significance, while retaining the AONB legal designation.

Natural Capital

The parts of the natural environment that produce value to people, such as water, soil and wildlife, delivering ecosystem services.

Nature Based Solutions

The use of natural processes to reduce flood and erosion risk, such as woodland planting or hedge banks, rather than hard defences.

Protected Landscapes Targets and Outcomes Framework (PLTOF)

Non-statutory targets set by government to deliver Environmental Improvement Plan goals within Protected Landscapes.

Public Rights of Way

Public footpaths, bridleways and cycleways along which the public has the right to travel.

Scheduled Monument

A designation providing state protection to nationally important archaeological sites and monuments.

Seascape

The complex interrelationship between landforms, coast and sea within a landscape.

Shoreline Management Plan

A document providing strategic guidance on coastal management for authorities, landowners and communities.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Areas designated, protected and monitored by Natural England for their flora, fauna or geological value.

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)

Areas designated and protected under the EU Habitats Directive.

Special Qualities

The aspects of an AONB considered most important and on which management priorities are based.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

A process to identify, assess and mitigate significant environmental effects of policies, plans and programmes.

Sustainable Development Fund (SDF)

A small grant scheme administered by the National Landscape team to help deliver Management Plan policies.

Appendix A

North Devon Coast National Landscape Priorities for Nature Recovery

The North Devon Coast National Landscape are a committed delivery partner of the North Devon Biosphere Nature Recovery Plan. By working as part of the Biosphere partnership we are able to contribute at a much larger, ecologically effective and strategic landscape scale than would be possible within the confines of the National Landscape boundary. The table below identifies the actions from the North Devon Biosphere Nature Recovery Plan to be delivered within the National Landscape and therefore are priorities for delivery by the North Devon Coast National Landscape Partnership.

The North Devon Biosphere Nature Recovery Plan includes five action plans which details the priorities for key land types in the Biosphere. There are priorities for the National Landscape within each action plan:

• Grassland and Arable
• Wetlands and Waterbodies
• Coasts
• Towns and Villages
• Trees, Woodlands and Hedges

Where appropriate, an indicative proportional target for delivery within the National Landscape is included and how this action will contribute to delivery of PLTOFs

Appendix B

North Devon Coast National Landscape Delivery Plan 2026-2031

References

1. North Devon and Torridge Tourism Trends, SWRC 2025 ↩︎
2. North Devon Coast National Landscape Tourism Trends (9 parishes) 2016-2023, SWRC 2025 ↩︎