The Cotswolds National Landscape Board welcomes Government’s recognition of the immense value of protected landscapes, the commitment to invest an additional £15m into protected landscapes is very positive news and hugely welcome. It will help us deliver more work, more effectively for nature recovery, climate action, and communities. In National Landscapes, that work will be delivered locally, but across our connected network – delivering an impact across the whole country.

The additional announcement of the designation of a new National Park is also welcomed by the family of National Landscapes. This, coupled with the slated boundary extensions to the already designated Surrey Hills and Chilterns, and the planned designation of two new National Landscapes: Cheshire Sandstone Ridge and the Yorkshire Wolds, is a powerful endorsement of the impact of protected landscapes in meeting the challenges ahead – including the commitment that 30% of all land and sea will be effectively protected and managed for nature by 2030.

You can read the full announcement from Government here. 

Notes to editors:

• The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 is the Act of the Parliament that provided the framework for the creation of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, and also addressed public rights of way and access to open land. In the immediate wake of the second world war, the nation had the forethought to designate Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as sisters to the NHS – one to look after the nation’s health, the other its nature and wellbeing.
• The first AONB to be designated was in 1956, Gower Peninsula, and the last the most recent, designated in 1995, is the Tamar Valley AONB, which spans Devon and Cornwall.
• An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, that has been designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value. Areas are designated in recognition of their national importance by the relevant public body: Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency respectively. In place of AONB, Scotland uses the similar national scenic area (NSA) designation.
• National Landscapes offer a uniquely integrated perspective in decisions about land use: convening conversations, bringing people together, and enabling a sustainable balance of priorities for nature, climate, people and place.
• The National Landscapes Association is the membership organisation representing the UK’s National Landscapes.
• The work of small (average four members of staff), expert National Landscapes teams is guided by the democratically derived Management Plan, developed through consultation with partners and members of the public through an open process every five years. The Management Plan covers the entirety of the landscape, considering how to protect and regenerate its special features: geology, species, heritage, industry, culture; balancing the needs of the local community to keep pace with the latest infrastructure, through a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of these distinct and special places.

The new brand underpins ambitious targets for nature. Today, Wednesday 22 November, all designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales are becoming National Landscapes. The new name reflects their national importance; the vital contribution they make to protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also creating greater understanding and awareness for the work that they do.

This is a significant milestone for the UK and the next step in fully realising the National Landscapes’ vision to be the leading exemplars of how thriving, diverse communities can work with and for nature in the UK: restoring ecosystems, providing food, storing carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change, safeguarding against drought and flooding, whilst also nurturing people’s health and wellbeing.

National Landscapes teams have been at the forefront of delivering natural solutions to the main challenges facing the nation for many years. The new brand underscores their commitment to redoubling their efforts and engaging with a wider audience. In 2019, teams set themselves the most ambitious targets for nature in the sector and continue to work to meet them.

By 2030, National Landscapes aim that, within their boundaries: at least 200,000 hectares of the most valuable natural areas (Sites of Special Scientific Interest or SSSIs), which equates to 1 ¼  times the size of London, will be in favourable condition; 100,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside of SSSIs will be created or restored, which is roughly nine times the size of Manchester; and 36,000 hectares of woodland, which is a little smaller than the Isle of Wight, will have been planted or allowed to regenerate. National Landscapes Partnerships will also focus on habitat restoration to ensure the protection of some of our most endangered species and increase their work to help more people to enjoy time spent in beautiful places.

Because of their size and scope, National Landscapes are ideally positioned to address the environmental issues the UK is facing. There are 46 National Landscapes in the UK, covering 14% of England, Wales and Northern Ireland including moorland, farmland, coast, forests, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, a Geopark and International Dark Sky Reserves. They are the UK’s nearby countryside – 66% of people in England (44 million) live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape and at least 170 million people visit them every year.

Andy Parsons, Cotswolds National Landscape Chief Executive, said,

“We are delighted to have played a leading role in this significant move forward for the national landscape family, which will offer us all a number of clear benefits. Those include building a strong and distinctive brand across national landscapes, widening the welcome and continuing to improve inclusivity and accessibility, and building on the success of our already strong network. In the Cotswolds, we adopted the National Landscape name in 2020, and our legal designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty remains, and today we are excited to now also adopt a refreshed logo and brand alongside the rest of the national landscapes family.”

John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association says:

“For decades, AONB teams have convened powerful partnerships which have placed them at the forefront of the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, but since their initial designation, our country has changed immensely, as have the needs and pressures on the environment and communities. However, we have great ambition as well as the commitment and readiness to care for and protect these important places, whilst also extending a welcome to more people. Our ambitious aims build on AONB teams’ long track record of successful delivery for nature and people and we are confident that we will achieve them. National Landscapes are the landscape designation for the 21 Century and beyond.”

Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England says:

“For decades the AONBs have helped protect the beauty of our finest landscapes. Today though we need so much more from these wonderful places, helping us adapt to climate change, catching carbon, restoring depleted wildlife and encouraging more people outside, at the same time as producing food, sustaining local communities and enhancing historic environments.

“Modern challenges require new approaches and today marks the beginning of a new phase for our National Landscapes, as they strengthen their existing partnerships, and forge new ones that will secure in perpetuity the huge range of benefits that come from these special places. Big change has taken place during the past 75 years and bigger changes still can be expected during the decades ahead. Uniting the National Landscapes in this way is very welcome and spells immense opportunity and great hope for the future.”

-ENDS-

Media contact:

Alana Hopkins, Communications Lead. alana.hopkins@cotswolds-nl.org.uk

 Notes to editors:

• In the Cotswolds, our neighbouring National Landscapes include: the Mendip Hills, North Wessex Downs, the Malvern Hills, the Wye Valley, and Cranborne Chase National Landscapes.
• The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 is the Act of the Parliament that provided the framework for the creation of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales, and also addressed public rights of way and access to open land. In the immediate wake of the second world war, the nation had the forethought to designate Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as sisters to the NHS – one to look after the nation’s health, the other its nature and wellbeing.
• The first AONB to be designated was in 1956, Gower Peninsula, and the last the most recent, designated in 1995, is the Tamar Valley AONB, which spans Devon and Cornwall.
• An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is an area of countryside in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, that has been designated for conservation due to its significant landscape value. Areas are designated in recognition of their national importance by the relevant public body: Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency respectively. In place of AONB, Scotland uses the similar national scenic area (NSA) designation.
• National Landscapes offer a uniquely integrated perspective in decisions about land use: convening conversations, bringing people together, and enabling a sustainable balance of priorities for nature, climate, people and place.
• The National Landscapes Association is the membership organisation representing the UK’s National Landscapes.
• The work of small (average four members of staff), expert National Landscapes teams is guided by the democratically derived Management Plan, developed through consultation with partners and members of the public through an open process every five years. The Management Plan covers the entirety of the landscape, considering how to protect and regenerate its special features: geology, species, heritage, industry, culture; balancing the needs of the local community to keep pace with the latest infrastructure, through a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities of these distinct and special places.
• Cotswold National Landscape Board owns no land, so our work is delivered by convening strong networks with landowners, farmers and partner organisations, working together to plan projects, and secure funding to deliver them.

Our regional tourism destination organisations have received the news that their new collaborative arrangement, Cotswolds Plus, has been awarded Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) status by VisitEngland. It will see Cotswolds Plus join the new national portfolio of high-performing LVEPs working to support and develop the visitor economy.

Chaired by the Cotswolds National Landscape Board, the partners include Marketing Cheltenham, Visit Gloucester, Visit Dean Wye, and Visit Gloucestershire – with Cotswolds Tourism as the lead organisation. Cotswolds Plus will not be a consumer-facing brand, but will work behind the scenes to shape and deliver national strategy and activities, as well as to bring a coordinated, strategic approach on key issues such as sustainability, business support, and research.

LVEP status ensures increased support, training, and collaboration with VisitEngland and VisitBritain in core areas such as accessibility, business support, and engagement with travel trade operators and event planners. Any future VisitEngland funding streams will also be channelled through the LVEPs.

Andy Parsons, chair of the Cotswolds Plus management board, said:

“The Cotswolds welcomes over 23 million visitors a year, spending in excess of £1 billion and supporting 23,000 jobs – partnership working is vital to successfully manage the environmental and social impacts. Cotswolds Plus offers a real opportunity to make a difference for the region by ensuring it is a vibrant year-round destination where tourism makes an increasing contribution to the local economy.”

Andrew Stokes, VisitEngland Director,  said:

“Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) are at the heart of transforming the visitor economy landscape in England and we are delighted to welcome ‘Cotswolds Plus’ onto the programme.

We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Cotswolds Plus as the LVEP is established, providing ongoing support – including a dedicated VisitEngland regional development lead.

Having the right national and local infrastructure in place to grow our visitor economy, in an inclusive, accessible and sustainable way, will ensure England continues to be a compelling destination for both domestic and international visitors.” 

ENDS.

Notes for editors:

Cotswolds Plus is the official Local Visitor Economy Partnership working at a strategic level across the wider Cotswolds region. Partners include Cotswolds National Landscape, all the local authorities and county council for Gloucestershire and West Oxfordshire District Council. The partnership is led by Cotswolds Tourism and includes the DMOs for Cheltenham, DeanWye, Gloucester and Gloucestershire.

Cotswolds Tourism is the official Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for the Cotswolds. www.cotswolds.com

Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Tourism is the DMO for the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. www.visitdeanwye.co.uk

Marketing Cheltenham is the DMO for Cheltenham https://marketingcheltenham.co.uk/

Visit Gloucester is the DMO for Gloucester. www.visitgloucester.co.uk

Visit Gloucestershire is Gloucestershire’s strategic DMO https://visit-gloucestershire.uk/

For press enquiries please contact Cotswolds Tourism Sally Graff via 01285 623050 or Chris Jackson 01993 861563 email cotswoldstourism@cotswold.gov.uk

Visit Britain / Visit England is the national tourism agency – a non-departmental public body funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Working with partners in the UK and overseas, their mission is to grow the volume and value of inbound tourism across the nations and regions of Britain and to develop world-class English tourism product to support growth aspirations.  For further information and access to the latest in-depth market intelligence and statistics, visit www.visitbritain.org or www.visitbritain.com and www.visitengland.com for consumer information.

Image: View of the Cotswold landscape looking towards Snowshill ©Siobhan Mills

Last week, we were pleased to host Yolanda, as she completed her Year 12 work experience placement. She joined in with a host of activities and tasks all week, one of which was to complete a short write-up of a self-guided walking route from our website. Her review of that experience is below. Huge thanks to Yolanda for all her enthusiasm and effort all week – it was a delight to have you as a member of the team for the week!

Stanton and Snowshill Cotswold Way circular walk review

17 July 2023 by guest editor Yolanda Mills

The six-mile Stanton and Snowshill circular walk offers a diverse and rich landscape taking you through woodland, grassland, valleys, and hilltops providing beautiful views and an enjoyable walk. This is one of several circular walks based around the Cotswold Way National Trail.

Living in the Cotswolds, I have always enjoyed going on walks in the countryside and my surrounding areas. During a school work experience week with the Cotswolds National Landscape team, I had the opportunity to walk and review this route around Stanton and Snowshill.

The walk started out in Stanton village, which I found to be quiet and very pretty due to the honey-coloured Cotswold stone which made up the buildings along the high street. When leaving the village, the walk then followed the Cotswold Way up the escarpment to the top of the hill. This section passes through some areas of beautiful species-rich grassland. It was also the steepest part of the walk, which I enjoyed being towards the start – as it was encouraging that the rest would be more leisurely!

At the top I was greeted with a beautiful view of the outlying hills including Bredon Hill and Dumbleton Hill and in the distance, the profile of the Malvern Hills. The route then passed through ancient woodland which was a welcome bit of shade and enhanced the variety of the walk between the previous open Cotswold Way track and the wooded area, allowing me to appreciate the different features of the local landscape. When moving out of the woodland I was then able to see Snowshill nestled into the hill which surrounds and rises around the village, creating a picturesque view.

Snowshill is another classic Cotswold village with its pretty cottages centred around the church and pub. I stopped off at a bench by the village hall to have a snack and admire the view across the rooftops to the far side of the valley. It’s also the location of the National Trust’s Snowshill Manor and Gardens which I had a quick look at over the wall. One of my favourite parts of the walk was the descent into the valley after Snowshill village as the field was particularly scenic due the many different shades of green and yellow from the different types of grasses and plants. Whilst reasonably dry when I did the walk, the steeper area at the bottom of the valley may be more muddy and slippery during a wetter period or season.

Finally, the route moved along and down the escarpment back into Stanton. As I was walking down the track, I was able to observe ever-changing panoramic views over Stanton and across the Severn Vale before continuing down into the village towards the start point – concluding the walk. Overall, I really enjoyed being outside in my local surroundings on the walk, as it was a good chance for me to have a break from schoolwork and de-stress. The variety and scenic views along the route make it a lovely walk for anyone.

Link to walk https://www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Walk-3-Stanton-Snowshill-Final-v22.pdf

By Yolanda Mills, guest editor

Wildflower verges through the village of Long Newnton – funded with a Caring for the Cotswolds grant and following the theme of ‘conservation of habitats and species’.

A new window for project applications will open on 3^rd July for the Caring for the Cotswolds grant scheme, running until 29^th September. The scheme is open to charities, town & parish councils and other non-profits in the Cotswolds AONB. Projects are sought in the four key themes of: conservation of habitats and species, heritage and landscape, improving access, and education.

The Caring for the Cotswolds scheme is based around a visitor-giving model. Visitors voluntarily donate to member businesses, who pass the funds along to be allocated as grants for projects that benefit the unique landscape and heritage of the Cotswolds.

James Webb, Partnerships and Fundraising Lead at Cotswolds National Landscape explains, “In the last year, a record number of projects across the Cotswolds were completed and claimed their grants, totalling approximately £21,000 – making our countryside a better place for people and wildlife. In this grants round, we’re keen to hear from organisations which are developing high quality projects across our region.”

Grants start at £500 and go up to £2,500. Projects must fall within at least one of the scheme’s four themes and offer good value for money. The application form and accompanying guidance document can be downloaded from the Cotswolds National Landscape website. The application window will be open until 29^th September, after which time the applications will be reviewed and decisions made towards the end of the year.

Ben Dent, Cotswolds National Landscape Board Member said, “Many really valuable projects just need a relatively small amount of cash, with the minimum of paperwork – and that’s Caring for the Cotswolds!  So, whether you want to contribute to the Cotswolds’ landscape, nature, climate action or heritage, we’re here to help you. And this is only made possible by the participating businesses, and their customers, whose generous contributions to this scheme help to keep the Cotswolds a special place to live, work, and visit.”

Further details on the scheme and of the projects supported can be seen here: https://www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/looking-after/caring-for-the-cotswolds/

Please contact Nina Stubbington at nina.stubbington@cotswolds-nl.org.uk  for further information or to apply for funding.

We recently implemented a new inclusion tool on our website – ReciteMe.

Now, wherever you are on the website, you will now find a new button in the top right hand corner: ‘ACCESSIBILITY TOOLS’. Clicking this will launch an assistive toolbar which offers a wide range of accessibility and language support tools to customise a visitor’s digital experience on our website.

Over 20% of the population may encounter barriers when exploring online due to having a disability, learning difficulty, visual impairment, or if they speak English as a second language.  Recite Me’s cloud-based solution has been developed around the principle of inclusion, and they have worked with a number of communities and consultants to create a tool which has broad user appeal and functionality. The toolbar includes screen reading functionality, multiple reading aids, customisable styling options, and an on-demand live translation feature that boasts over 100 languages.

The toolbar only launches if the ‘accessibility tools’ button is clicked, so if visitors don’t need / want it, their everyday experience of the site will remain the same. If visitors launch the tool bar just to have a look and then don’t wish to use it, a big red X (close) button in the top right hand corner will close the toolbar.

Recite Me’s innovative suite of accessibility on-demand tools is implemented on 3,500 websites, supporting 3.4 million users online.

Ross Linnett, Recite Me’s Founder and CEO commented, “It is important to provide an inclusive online experience, where everyone can use our digital world in a way in which best suits their needs. As more organisations provide accessibility tools online, those who face online barriers can access information and services hassle-free. The digital world must be accessible for all.”

We’re pleased that our digital inclusion is now more in line with the physical work Becky Jones (our Access and Volunteer Lead), the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, and others have been doing on the ground across the Cotswolds. We are also in the process of commissioning further work to continue to improve the website – which will give us a much clearer idea of what we need to do to continue to improve the compliance of the site to official web content accessibility guidelines.

The implementation of the toolbar is thanks to Access for All funding from Defra.

-Ends-

This year we’re delighted to be back at the RAU for the first in-person forum we’ve held since 2019.

We hope to see many faces – old and new – joining us for an informative and enjoyable evening, looking at the future of farming in the Cotswolds at a time of great change.

We’re lining up some great speakers for 2023, covering four key themes:

• Arable – moving away from conventional systems and exploring alternative approaches
• Livestock – developing grazing systems that are both environmentally and economically sustainable
• Diversification – making the most of a growing demand for locally produced food
• Soil carbon – understanding your land’s potential what this could mean for your farm business

The speakers are all beneficiaries of Defra’s Farming in Protected Landscapes grant programme, which they’ve used to deliver projects supporting agricultural transition in the Cotswolds. We’re asking them to talk about the impact of these projects and how they support broader plans for the future.

We’ll gather over refreshments at 6.30pm before moving into the Parkinson Lecture Theatre where presentations will begin promptly at 7pm, followed by an audience Q&A session with our panel.

Details

• Tuesday 7 March 2023
• 6.30 – 9pm
• Parkinson Lecture Theatre, Royal Agricultural University Stroud Road Cirencester GL7 6JS
• Free parking
• View the RAU campus here (location 21).
• The event is aimed at farmers and land managers but anyone with an interest is welcome
• Tickets are free
• Reserve your spot now on Eventbrite

Our Speakers:

Henry Astor – Bruern Farms

Henry Astor runs a mixed arable and livestock farm in West Oxfordshire with a main focus on integrating biodiversity with sustainable farming practices. ‘Healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people!’ is the motto at Bruern Farms, which is transitioning from conventional cropping to growing heritage grains using restorative and regenerative methods. They follow conservation agricultural practices, with direct drilling, cover cropping and diverse rotation to help improve soils, reduce inputs and prevent the build-up of weeds, pests and diseases. They’re also part of the Cotswolds Grain Network, a group of bakers, farmers, brewers and researchers who want to re-imagine the grain economy in the Cotswolds, promoting heritage and non-commodity grains and direct distributing locally.

Henry applied for a FiPL grant towards the purchase of a grain mill and processing equipment, enabling the farm to make and sell flour directly to local markets. The grant also helped them buy a game larder for processing rare-breed meats and venison.

Rob Havard – Phepson Angus, and Matt Darby – Kemerton Estate

Rob is a sixth-generation farmer and professional ecologist that previously worked for Natural England as a conservation grazing lead advisor. He’s been using Holistic Management to inform his farming practice since 2014 and now integrates planned grazing on 1000+ acres of diverse pasture. Rob’s main focus is on the marriage of productivity and ecological gain. Using grazing techniques that are based on recreating natural processes allows Rob to grow fitter cattle for less money while leaving the land in a better state than when he found.

Rob requested a FiPL grant for various items to support management of their herd at the Kemerton Estate, including training and equipping a draft horse. Rob will be joined by Matt Darby who owns and manages the Kemerton Estate. Matt has a wealth of experience in nature conservation, farming and forestry, town planning, landscape history, and the charitable sector. He’s also a CNL Board member.

Lydia Handy and Liberty Nimmo – Homegrown at Hampen

Lydia Handy runs a 330-acre mixed farm, Lower Hampen Farm, with her husband, Clive. They share a love of wildlife and farm in a sustainable, regenerative way that supports both nature and food production. They’re also very effective networkers and collaborators, hosting numerous nature conservation and sustainable farming projects with different people and organisations, including FWAGSW and the CNL.

Lydia, a trained land agent with experience of running her own businesses, has diversified the farm’s product lines in various ways, including making items from their own wool, as well as candles and soap, for example. With support from FiPL, the farm recently set up a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) scheme in what was an awkward corner of an arable field, where they now grow and seasonal fruit, veg and flowers for sale to local residents. It’s become a real hub of the community and they’re already expanding the set up. Clive. Liberty Nimmo helps run the market garden and farm shop.

Tim Field – North East Cotswolds Farmer Cluster

Tim Field worked to found Agricology with the ORC and Allerton Project in 2014 to disseminate best practice and research on practical, sustainable farming. He is CEO of Carbon Quester, working with the Rothamsted Research Institute to develop an affordable, accurate soil carbon testing and modelling methodology. Tim is also facilitator of 125 farms across 82,500+ acres in the North East Cotswold Farmer Cluster (NECFC), who successfully bid to deliver a Landscape Recovery pilot project on the river Evenlode. With a background in biology and rural surveying, Tim has twenty years of experience in environmental management of farms, property, and the food supply chain.

Tim has helped members of the NECFC benefit from five successful FiPL applications to date. One of these involved soil carbon analysis and baseline mapping for 36 farms across 15,000 hectares, which has led to follow-up projects looking at farm carbon management and green finance opportunities that could be delivered at scale.

To find out more, please contact Scott Brown: scott.brown@cotswolds-nl.org.uk

We’re delighted to say that the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is being extended, offering additional funding and time for farmers and land managers in England’s National Parks and AONBs to deliver projects for climate, nature, people, and place.

The extension reflects the quality of the projects already being delivered on the ground. It’s excellent news and we’re really grateful to everyone that has taken part and helped build a programme that is so well regarded.

“In recognition of the positive feedback and outcomes delivered by FIPL, we will be extending the programme with £10m additional funding each year until March 2025. This will enable us to continue to support the important role that protected landscapes play in delivering our commitments. We will continue to learn from FiPL and work to ensure the best concepts of FiPL are integrated within future environmental land management schemes within Protected Landscapes.”
– Extract taken from the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 (page 254).

It’s not too late to get involved.

We are awaiting confirmation of the precise level of extra funding available in the Cotswolds. Prior to this announcement, we had around £300k remaining to be allocated and spent by March 2024, with a very strong pipeline of applications in development. We’re now expecting a significant uplift to this figure for financial year 2023/24, plus additional funds for 2024/25. The extension and extra funding will open things up to many more applicants.

Grants are available from £2,500 to £250,000 for a wide variety of farmer-led projects that will deliver outcomes for climate, nature, people and/or place. This may include:

• Developing better data, knowledge and skills
• Purchasing new equipment and upgrading farm infrastructure
• Carrying out land management activities
• Running projects and events for other farmers and the public

We take a flexible and bottom-up approach, aiming to support projects that have been proposed by farmers and land managers. Just tell us what you’d like to do. If it’s eligible, we’ll pair you with one of our Engagement Officers who will:

• Offer advice and guidance, helping you develop a strong proposal
• Arrange a site visit (if necessary)
• Guide you through the application process, including costings
• Review drafts and provide feedback on applications prior to assessment
• Present you proposal to our local assessment panel (meets every 6-8 weeks)

For more details and examples of supported projects, please visit our website page.

To discuss your project ideas and request an application form:

Email: farming@cotwoldsaonb.org.uk

Call Scott Brown, Farming Engagement Lead: 07841 663 601

Image: An artist’s impression of the scheme shows plans for the Gloucestershire Way crossing

Joint statement from Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, National Trust, and Cotswolds National Landscape

We note the decision has been made to move ahead with the A417 ‘Missing Link’ road scheme, addressing long standing traffic and safety concerns.

Cotswolds National Landscape, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the National Trust have worked collaboratively to help National Highways move towards a genuinely landscape-led road scheme that can deliver a lasting, beneficial legacy for the Cotswolds landscape, its wildlife, people and history.

Our engagement has resulted in positive changes and, whilst we recognise efforts from National Highways to improve protections for wildlife, we remain disappointed that the scheme will not deliver overall biodiversity net gain.

We are passionate about our role in protecting the natural beauty, diverse wildlife and unique heritage of this important landscape. We will continue to engage with National Highways to ensure the protections set out in the planning application (DCO) are delivered, and to identify additional opportunities to improve the outcomes for nature and people.

The Power of Art experimental research installation by Squidsoup, Cotswolds, 2022. ©Russell Sach

Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England and Philip Hygate, chair of the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB), have today signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding. It represents their commitments to working together to nurture new links between arts and cultural organisations, and England’s 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).

Working in partnership under this Memorandum of Understanding means both organisations deliver on their own priorities, underpinned by joint ambitions to see more people engaging with culture and landscape, promoting opportunities, prosperity and wellbeing for rural communities, and contributing to conversations around tackling the climate emergency.

For years, AONB teams around the country have commissioned or partnered on awe-inspiring art installations and activities, and the Memorandum symbolises a step change in their commitment to partnering with culture organisations to develop high-quality, ambitious art that will reach and move people and communities across England.

In the Cotswolds, we are delighted to be collaborating with Squidsoup on The Power of Art – an experimental light installation – exploring technology, energy, and a sense of place.

The Power of Art is being funded by Stockton International Riverside Festival, and Arts Council England. Working with industry partner, Cleevely, this experiment will explore ways to power large scale light works off-grid with renewable energy. Cleevely have provided electric car batteries which have reached end-of-life status in vehicles, but could still have a use elsewhere.

Power has always been a precious commodity, and in 2022, events made this point clearer than it has been for decades. This project explores ways for renewable energy to be harnessed to power digital artworks like these, and in so doing, freeing them from previous constraints.

The Power of Art has been temporarily installed in a secret woodland location in the Cotswolds. Fifty illuminated orbs are powered by energy harvested through solar panels charging two second hand electric car batteries. The trial, testing the sustainability of the saved energy, uses a twelve minute performance cycle of pulses and glows set to a soundtrack, in order to see how long the work can sustain itself, to explore the feasibility of larger energy-saving installations, and to assess the reduction of power leakage in the conversion from kilowatt to dc voltage.

The Board of the Cotswolds National Landscape has signalled its commitment to creating greater links with arts organisations by endorsing the AONB Network’s Art in the Landscape Strategy. We are excited to see how this work develops nationally and locally over the coming years and we will be building greater links with our local cultural organisations.

The signing is hosted by Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership at Samphire Hoe Nature Reserve, as part of AONB’s Salt + EARTH: Festival of Landscape, Seascape and the Environment. The festival will see artists, creatives and scientists explore everything from geography to geology, sounds to sculptures, food to Deep Time. The festival is an exemplar of how when art, science and landscape come together, our understanding is deepened, but more importantly, our enjoyment and curiosity is fired.

Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England said: “The natural environment has inspired artists and writers through the ages. Today, awareness of our environment feeds our imagination, greatly benefits our wellbeing, and broadens our understanding of the climate challenges we face.

“Today’s signing represents further ambitions to deepen our appreciation and engagement with England’s rural landscapes, and their surrounding communities. Reflected through the Arts Council’s commitment to environmental responsibility, this Memorandum highlights the important, crucial connection between culture and the landscape.”

Philip Hygate, chair of the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty said: “England’s 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are deeply committed to working with art and culture organisations. We have seen that when AONB Partnerships and artists come together, the results add up to far more than the sum of their parts, creating experiences that will live long in people’s memories. This agreement with Arts Council England provides a framework for us to do more of this invaluable work and enable more people to develop a relationship with the landscapes on their own terms.”

ENDS