MEMBERS of the public are being invited to attend a consultation to help shape the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’s management plan for the next five years.

A series of consultation events are being held in West Devon to gain public views and comments on a draft management plan which will steer the work of the AONB Partnership to conserve and enhance the landscape over the next five years.

Chair of the Tamar Valley AONB Partnership, Cllr Neil Burden, said: ‘There is a requirement that local authorities review and produce a management plan for each AONB in their area every five years. In order that we deliver this statutory responsibility and as a basis to receive DEFRA grant funding we, the Tamar Valley AONB Partnership, have over the last few weeks produced on behalf of the local authorities a draft plan and now share this plan for public comment.

‘We have always been grateful for the support we receive and once again ask that as many people as possible have their say. So come along to the events or visit our website to add your comments.’

Corinna Woodall, Tamar Valley AONB manager, said: ‘It is vital that we set out the priorities for the Tamar Valley AONB now, especially with a once in a lifetime government review of protected landscapes and an opportunity for new approaches post-Brexit. We really welcome the opportunity to hear from those who live and work in our landscape.’

The consultation events will be held at the Tamar Trails Centre in Gulworthy on Saturday, September 22 from 9.30am to 3pm; Tavistock Town Hall on Saturday, September 29 from 10am to 2.30pm; Buckland Monachorum Village Market and Coffee Shop on Saturday, October 13 from 10am to noon and Milton Abbot Village Hall Coffee Morning on Saturday, October 27 from 9am to noon.

Other venues may be added throughout the consultation period, visit www.tamarvalley.org.uk and TVAONB on Facebook for updates.

Hard copies of the plan will also be available to view, towards the end of September, from libraries and parish council offices throughout the Tamar Valley, as well as at the Tamar Valley Centre at Drakewalls.

Completed consultation forms will be put into a draw for a chance to win a £75 gift voucher to spend on Tamar Valley produce through the Tamar Valley Food Hubs, or a cream tea for two at the National Trust’s Cotehele Estate.

If you’d rather make your views known from the comfort of your own home, visit www.tamarvalley.org.uk from mid-September until November 16 to comment on the draft plan.

For more information contact the Tamar Valley AONB team on 01822 835030 or email [email protected]