This document discusses the importance of landscapes and seascapes in Wales. It argues that landscapes provide essential benefits like improved well-being, environmental services, and cultural heritage values. However, protected landscapes are facing challenges and being overlooked in current political priorities that focus more on economic and development concerns. The document calls for recognizing the true value of landscapes, making them more relevant to communities, and ensuring policy and management provides long-term stewardship of these important places.

1. Our Landscapes ……. Where next and in whose hands ?? !!
Peter Ogden: Director
CPRW

2. Landscapes make nations
“They reflect our collective past and determine our future quality of life.
They are about people and places, are fundamental to our health and well-being, and are
an important part of our identity. It is critically important that the value of landscape is
recognised in decision making locally and nationally.”

3. Starting point: European Landscape Convention On land and sea
Prevent the deterioration of cultural and geological heritage
Protect the diversity beauty and identity
Correct the lack of integrated perception of landscapes
Establish better public and policy makers awareness

4. Landscapes a symbol of human
skill and ingenuity

6. Why do Welsh landscapes and Seascapes matter ?

7. ….They hold the trade secrets of Sustainability
Landscapes : The cradle in which everything happens

8. Our Landscapes :
Factories of well being
Environmental shock absorbers
Our life support dynamos
Our food hall, fuel and energy stores
Theatres of learning and imagination
Arenas of challenge and inspiration

9. Intangible –cultural and heritage values
Associations
Solitude Wildness
Spiritual revitalisation
Inspiration Natural beauty
Learning opportunities
Special Qualities
Iconic places…
AONB & National Parks

10. Landscapes define our “Bro” :
Our individual and community Identity,
Our Sense of Place, and the quality of our lifes

11. Protected Landscapes -
Our AONBs : Amazing meeting grounds of
Nature and people
Place
Past and present
Heritage
Physical and intangible
Identity
Knowledge, Traditions and skills
Individuality

12. “Successful sustainable
development means
• Creating more jobs
•
• Achieving social equality
• Eradicating poverty
•
• Providing learning
opportunities for everyone”
• Increased public engagement
The political reality !!
Jeff Cuthbert Minister for Future
Generations

13. “ I consider that the economic aspects
of proposed developments are the
main consideration in the
determination of this application."
The current priorities !!
Carl Sargeant:
Minister for Natural Resources
“I want Wales’ Protected Landscapes
of Wales to do more, to be icons of
sustainable development”

14. Landscapes – “Off the Radar”

15. Wales’ Protected
Landscapes under the
spotlight

16. At the cross roads …. Where next for AONBs?

18. We must promote the Value and Public benefits of landscapes
Make them much more relevant to people
From “Protected” Landscapes Valued Lifescapes
Investing in Lifescapes to create …..
Places which
 improve air, water and soil quality and
help us adapt to climate change.
 optimise opportunities for better working,
learning and personal development.
 Help overcome inequalities
 Encourage healthy lifestyle,
 Are restorative, uplifting for physical and
mental health
 Make people feel comfortable, increase
social interaction.
The image and role of Protected Landscapes needs to change and evolve !

19. “Landscapes” provide the framework for such change
Places with Distinct identities and a strong Sense of place

20. PEOPLE and communities are our Protected landscapes’ greatest
assets - Ambassadors
The Woollen line

21. Over 50 years, one tree
- generates £24,000 worth
of oxygen,
- provides £50,000 worth
of air pollution control,
- recycles and purifies
£29,000 worth of water,
- controls £24,000 worth
of soil erosion.
Promote Landscape as
… life’s “Place makers”
Welsh trees save us £3.0 billion
every year
Priceless life saving assets !
There are 15.5million trees in Wales

22. Greater policy clarity,
Consistency and coherence which
Delivers integrated landscape, biodiversity and heritage stewardship
What is needed ?

23. Communication
Communities
Partnerships and Collaboration
Conservation
AONBs are on the front line to deliver Well being

24. Refreshed Purposes ? :
“Which reflects Well being in ways which do not
compromise their Special qualities”
Future role of Planning
Consistency of approach across the whole area
• Behavioural change
• Enhanced Strategic framework for action
• Adequate resources
• Clear leadership but shared responsibilities
• Facilitation of Civic and stakeholder engagement

25. Unfinished business ?
John Dower report
Areas to be considered
as National Parks

26. The right things are
In the right places
At the right scale
Whilst being positive, creative
and more relevant to current
political agendas …….
We must continue to ensure …

27. Communicate clearly
Stay on your
feet
Recover quickly
Run like hell !!
Retaliate
first
Pressurise the opposition
We must all stand up for AONBs !!

28. We must all be “Place maker” …… not immortalised as “Place breakers”
Good landscape governance means a “duty of care” to our landscapes by all

29. Now is the time to
speak up for your
Protected Landscape !!

30. Landscapes …. A way of thinking and working
Diolch yn Fawr
Thank you
Join us …..Caring for the landscapes of Wales

32. Saying one thing and doing something else !!
John Griffith : Minister for National
Parks, Culture and Sport
Welsh National Parks budgets
slashed by 12.5% over next two
years
Starving Wales recognised
“Breathing spaces” of O2

33. The wonders of nature