A THRIVING future for the Tamar Valley, an erstwhile hive of industrial activity, but always an incredibly beautiful landscape, appears to be more secure this week.
Two years of intensive consultation with hundreds of people throughout the valley culminates tomorrow, Friday, in the publication of what has been described as a 'visionary' management plan for the area.
The document, drawn up by the Tamar Valley Countryside Service with funding from the Countryside Agency and the EU, is to be launched at Cotehele in a special ceremony attended by dozens of local dignitaries and people with an interest in the future of the valley.
The plan covers the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which includes 75 square miles of the Tamar, Tavy and Lynher estuaries on the border between Devon and Cornwall.
North Cornwall councillor Neil Burden, chairman of the steering group for the project, said: 'The Tamar Valley is a beautiful landscape which has been moulded by our predecessors.
'It is now down to us to work together not only to conserve this beauty but also to ensure that the valley remains a living, working landscape with a thriving local community.'
He said the support from local groups throughout the process had been very encouraging and had given the steering group an insight into the concerns and aspirations of local people which could be addressed through the plan.
Rachel Hodder, the TVCS officer responsible for developing the document, said: 'Local people value the character and tranquillity of the area as well as the beautiful habitats such as the woodland and river features, but they also need a thriving local economy and are concerned about issues such as local employment and services, traffic pressure and the amount and design of new development. The plan provides a framework for us to look at all these issues.'
The management plan had come at a time when the Countryside and Rights of Way Bill was passing through Parliament. It would give more statutory recognition to AONBs, helping to enable future generations to enjoy and benefit from those areas — the best examples of British countryside, she said.
Catherine Mack, of the Countryside Agency, will launch the new plan at Cotehele tomorrow. She will be joined by local MPs and representatives from more than 60 organisations including councils, landowners, farmers and local interest groups.
l Tim Selman has been appointed Tamar Valley AONB manager, following a successful bid for a further three years' funding for the TVCS. Rachel Hodder and Alison Sherrell will job-share and Jo Harris will continue in administration.