Environment Minister and local MP pay us a visit
What is an AONB and what do you do?
Environment Minister and local MP pay us a visit
We were delighted to welcome Richard Benyon MP, Minister for the Natural Environment, to the AONB on 9th June. The Minister met a number of our partners to discuss a variety of issues and see projects on the ground. These included recreation and tourism management, the importance developing robust ecological networks in the area and our work with the NFU in engaging with farmers on potential impacts of 
climate change on farm businesses. The Minister said he was very impressed with the innovation and activity amongst the AONB Partnership.
A week previously, Dr. Dan Poulter MP, accompanied by Cllr Andrew Nunn from Suffolk Coastal District Council, also visited the area. The AONB borders his constituency and the visit focussed on AONB issues which are regularly raised by his constituents particularly; developments at Sizewell, the future of the public forest estate and our changing coast.
The EU BALANCE project was officially launched at the end of March in Gent, Belgium. The launch was part of a two day conference during which project partners discussed the work involved in delivering the project over the next three years. BALANCE is a three year visitor and recreation project for the Suffolk Coast and Heaths that will deliver a new Visitor and Recreation Strategy, research into the socio-economic benefits of our long distance routes and will improve these routes on the ground. Visitors and residents will also be able to enjoy more wonderful walking as we produce more Explorer Guides and better information ‘on site’ as our existing information panels are replaced and panels sited in new locations.
In April we also held the first of our Suffolk steering group meetings for the project.
We are fortunate to have a lively steering group with strong representation from the public and private sector.
http://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/text.asp?PageId=218
Farming stole the show in the AONB category of this year’s ‘Creating the Greenest County’ Awards (aka Suffolk’s Green Oscars). This was the first year that we had our own award, generously sponsored by Thorpeness and Aldeburgh Hotels. The National Farmer’s Union (NFU) was short-listed for Future Landscapes, as was Richard Wrinch for sensitive diversification of farm buildings at Hill House Farm, Shotley. Congratulations to Richard, who won the award, and also to runners-up, the NFU.
For the latest information about Future Landscapes, follow this link to our website
http://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/downloads.asp?PageId=197
The future of the public forest estate in the AONB
Following the national concern about plans to sell the public forest estate, which was echoed locally, the AONB Partnership has developed a new position statement on the future of the public forest estate in the AONB. You can read the AONB position statement here:
http://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/downloads.asp?PageId=217
Following the AONB’s restructure last winter, we have two new faces at the AONB Unit. Simon Amstutz and Paula Booth will be job-sharing our new Planning and Development Officer post, which is a post shared with Dedham Vale AONB. A warm welcome to them both! Simon will be leading on our planning casework, while Paula leads on undergrounding work. They will also be working together to monitor and review the AONB Management Plan. Cathy Smith our Funding Officer will now be splitting her time between both Suffolk Coast and Heaths and Dedham Vale AONBs
Two controversial 126 metre high wind turbines have recently been erected, just 300m from the boundary of the AONB at Kessingland. These new turbines are highly visible from the A12, the coast and a significant stretch of the Suffolk Coast Path and now dominate the Kessingland levels. The initial application was refused by Waveney District Council in 2007, due to the impact on the AONB (a decision supported by the AONB Unit). However, on appeal, this decision was overturned by the Planning Inspector, who felt Government policy for renewable energy should take priority. Interestingly a Planning Inspector took the opposite view in an almost identical situation in South Hams, Devon, given the impact on the AONB there. While the decision may be controversial, the ‘Kessingland Giants’ have taken up residence, so people can judge for themselves whether they enhance or detract from the quality of the landscape.
Over the last few months we have been inundated with reports of lumps of white paraffin wax being washed up along the whole of the Suffolk coast. The Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCGA), who have responsibility for marine pollution, have told us that the most likely source is a chemical tanker discharge and the wax could have been at sea for some considerable time. It is unlikely to be associated with ship-to-ship oil transfer activity, which many had feared. They have asked us to keep records of where and when paraffin wax is found and we will seek to incorporate this into our Beachwatch recording. They have also analysed a sample, supplied by Therese Coffey MP, and the analysis report is available from Lynn Allen, at the AONB Unit.
What is an AONB and what do you do?
It’s a question we’re asked regularly and, to provide a ready answer, we’ve produced a short, new leaflet that introduces the AONB and the work of the Partnership. The leaflet summarises the main features of the AONB and describes the key areas of partnership activity, including landscape enhancement, wildlife conservation, volunteer work, recreation, tourism, awareness-raising, access projects and grant funding. A copy of the leaflet is also available to download from our website: http://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/downloads.asp?PageId=132
The Deben Estuary Partnership is embarking on a community plan, the ‘Deben Estuary Plan’, to take forward management of the estuary for the next 10-25 years. Look out over the summer of 2011 for a series of events that will involve local communities, businesses and organisations around the Deben estuary in this new approach.
The Shotley Footpath Group has recently won £18,000 from the Haven Gateway Partnership’s ‘I Love Landscapes’ campaign. They are developing a Heritage Park to take in the wonderful views of the Stour Estuary. Congratulations!
Up and Coming Events: This year’s Stour and Orwell Forum has moved to the waterfront at University Campus Suffolk. It takes place on the 24th June, with a packed agenda of local projects and new management measures for the coast and estuaries.
On the 22nd June exciting plans for an innovative project to improve access and flood defences in Orford will be discussed with the local community in Orford Town Hall. For details on either event please contact Trazar Astley-Reid.
The first part of the year has brought lots of good funding news and activities into the AONB, through our own activities and those of our Partners. Our EU project BALANCE is now well under way (see above article). Our £1m Heritage Lottery Fund Landscape Partnership bid for a built and natural heritage scheme in the coastal communities, called “Touching the Tide” went in, and we eagerly await the outcome of the board meeting in late July.
The past year has also seen a huge number of projects completed by schools, community groups and organisations who received grant funding from the AONB through the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF). SDF funded 13 projects to approximately £55,000, while our Connect Conservation Fund supported 17 projects totalling £8,000. In the coming year both funds are awarding more grants to community groups. For a full list of projects funded, please see our Funding web pages at
http://www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org/downloads.asp?PageId=5. After the panel meets at the end of June, the 2011-12 successful project applications will also be listed there. SDF 2011-12 received an overwhelming number of projects requesting over £120,000, but with only £40,000 in the fund this year, competition will be tough.
The Connect Conservation (visitor payback) Scheme continues to develop with two new members joining recently – Alde Garden 
and Windmill Lodges, both accommodation related businesses. The business and visitor donations to the Conservation Fund should enable at least 9 projects to be funded in 2011-12. If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a business member of our Connect Conservation Scheme please get in touch with Cathy Smith.
On our funding web pages you will also find information about a wide range of grants available from both local and national funding organisations, which might be useful if you are looking for funding for a range of environmental, art, community, young people and building projects. Picture: Pupils from Chelmondiston Primary School on a field trip as part of their Bird Conservation Project
In March, 276 people took part in a six mile charity walk around Dunwich (pictured here) which raised around £10,000 for the St. Elizabeth Hospice. The walk, which was led on the day by Nick Marsh AONB Countryside Officer, incorporated part of the Suffolk Coast Path and the Sandlings Walk long distance routes.
In April the AONB spring Adopt-a-Beach survey took place at East Lane (Bawdsey), and despite very cold easterly winds 14 volunteers helped with the task.
In May six coast and estuary wardens assisted the RSPB to erect a protective fence for Little Terns at Shingle Street. This work was carried out at short notice after the birds had been seen showing signs of nesting activity on the shingle beach.
Beachwatch and Adopt-a-Beach 2010, report now out. During 2010, 788 volunteers collected more than 2,388 kg of litter from Suffolk beaches. A total of 53 litter surveys were carried out on 35 beaches covering 50 km of Suffolk coast. In total 52,839 pieces of litter were recorded at an average of 1,048 items of litter per km surveyed. To find out more download the report from the AONB website.
Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Unit, Dock Lane, Melton, Suffolk, IP12 1PE.
Telephone/Fax: 01394 384948
Nick Collinson (AONB Manager) nick.collinson@suffolk.gov.uk
Cathy Smith (Funding Officer) catherine.smith@suffolk.gov.uk
Simon Amstutz & Paula Booth (Planning and Development Officer – job share)
simon.amstutz@suffolk.gov.uk, paula.booth@suffolk.gov.uk
Neil Lister (BALANCE Project Manager) neil.lister@suffolk.gov.uk
Trazar Astley-Reid (Suffolk Estuaries Officer) trazar.astley-reid@suffolk.gov.uk
Malcolm Farrow (Communications Officer) malcolm.farrow@suffolk.gov.uk
Nick Marsh (Countryside Officer and Volunteers) nick.marsh@suffolk.gov.uk
Lynn Allen (Countryside Officer and Beachwatch) lynn.allen@suffolk.gov.uk
Poli Mohan (Business Support Officer) poli.mohan@suffolk.gov.uk
If you have not received this Newsletter directly and would like to, please contact one of us.