The review of the North Wessex Downs Management Plan is under way, overseen by a small group reporting to the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Management Working Group, with a view to publishing a revised Plan in late 2025.
Section 89 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires the local authorities that cover the North Wessex Downs to produce a Management Plan every five years. In July 2024 the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Partnership agreed to extend the current 2019-24 Management Plan by one year to take account of new national targets and guidance for protected landscapes. The next Management Plan will cover the period to 2030.
As advised by DEFRA, the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Partnership has published a “light touch review statement”, explaining its decision to extend the life of the current Management Plan and listing some priorities it expects to guide the preparation of the revised Management Plan 2025-30. You can find this document here.
The significance of the new Management Plan will be increased following changes to legislation. Previously, relevant authorities undertaking activities or making decisions affecting land within a protected landscape only had to “have regard for” the purpose of designation. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 greatly strengthens the duty. Now they “must seek to further” the purpose of designation. The purpose of designation is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape.
The process and timetable
The approximate timetable for the Plan review is as follows (note this is subject to change in light of circumstances and the decisions of the group overseeing the Review):
September-December 2024
Evidence review, priority stakeholder consultation and scoping.
January 2024
Briefing submitted to local authority partners for consideration and feedback, summarising priority areas for action.
February-March 2025
Public consultation on draft Management Plan.
April-June 2025
Consultation feedback collated and considered, revisions to the draft Management Plan, final version produced.
July 2025
Final version submitted for approval by the Council of Partners
August-October 2025
Agreed Management Plan submitted to local authority partners for adoption, final design ready for publication.
By end October 2025
Local authority partners confirm formal adoption of the revised Plan, Plan submitted to the Secretary of State.
By end November 2025
Plan published.
The main opportunity to contribute to the new Management Plan will take place during the six-week public consultation on the draft Management Plan. This is likely to take place in February and March 2025.
You can download the current, complete, Management Plan, or individual chapters from our Management Plan page. Click the button below.
Our work: Management Plan