This plan is produced under provisions in Section 89 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000), which itself was subject to amendment in this context by the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act (LURA) (2023).
The plan, which is in practice a strategy, has several primary functions. It:
- formulates the policy of local authorities in relation to their National Landscape;
- guides the policy and practice of partners and Relevant Authorities under LURA;
- sets out what might constitute ‘seeking to further the purpose of designation’ through the implementation of work in support of the plan’s outcomes and measures; and
- aims to inspire action for nature, climate, people and place, including guiding the team’s work and that if key partners, Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) applications, and the content of Landscape Recovery and other Environmental Land Management (ELM) proposals.
The plan provides a positive and pro-active management framework for the many bodies that form the North Pennines National Landscape Partnership, and others. It identifies the components of natural beauty – those things which should be the focus of conservation and enhancement – and outlines an integrated vision for the future of the North Pennines as a National Landscape. The plan identifies the drivers of change in the landscape today and looks at how they can be best managed and/or accommodated.
As well as the components of natural beauty, the plan also addresses how people use and interact with the landscape for their enjoyment and health and well-being.
A series of desired outcomes are identified, alongside measures to achieve them, with broad sectoral responsibility linked to each measure.
The primary audiences and partners for the plan are therefore:
- Local Authorities at all levels;
- Relevant Authorities under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act (2023);
- Nature-related arms-length bodies (Natural England, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission);
- Farmers and land managers, their representative bodies and providers of farm advice;
- Conservation NGOs and other partners;
- Historic England; and
- Local groups of place and interest.
In short, everyone who has an influence over or stake in this nationally protected landscape.