Chance to help shape future of hills landscape

SOMERSET residents have until New Year's Eve to give their views on how one of the county’s most precious landscapes should be managed over the next five years.

- DANIEL MUMBY Local Democracy Reporter

The Quantock Hills was the first part of England to be designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) in 1956, ensuring its landscape, views, ecology and heritage would be safeguarded from future development.

All Somersets AONBs (the Blackdown Hills, Cranborne Chase, the Mendip Hills and the Quantock Hills) were rebranded as national landscapes in November 2023 in reflection of their “vital contribution” to promoting health and well-being and combating climate change - though this rebrand did not result in any additional powers or funding.

The Quantock Hills National Landscape Partnership has now published its draft management plan, laying out how the area will be preserved and improved up to 2031 - with residents being asked for their feedback before formal approval in the new year.