Cornwall National Landscape: An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan Review 2025-27

The Cornwall National Landscape: An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan is a statutory plan. It is Cornwall Council’s duty under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to produce the Management Plan and review it every five years. The Management Plan sets out the policies and strategy by which the National Landscape should be managed.

Cornwall National Landscape covers approximately 27% of Cornwall and is unique as it is made up of 12 separate geographical sections, all diverse and distinctive with different needs and opportunities to conserve and enhance natural beauty. There are approximately 95 parish/town councils that are within or have some of the Cornwall National Landscape in their parish/town.

There are two survey options and we invite you all to complete the one that is most suitable for you. One is for all members of the public, community groups and local organisations. The second is for our partner and stakeholder organisations. Please choose from the appropriate survey link at the bottom of the page.

The Value of the Cornwall National Landscape: An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan

The Cornwall National Landscape (CNL) Management Plan (MP) matters and is valuable because it belongs to everyone who calls Cornwall home, works there, or cherishes this remarkable place for recreation, inspiration and sanctuary. The plan stands as policy and a shared guide for how Cornwall National Landscape is cared for, shaped by the communities, businesses, partners, organisations and visitors whose voices are gently threaded through the pages. It is a Statutory document, mandated by DEFRA and Adopted by Cornwall, framed by DEFRA’s targets for protected landscapes, it is also a living story, enriched by science, research and knowledge exchange from local insight to global understanding. It becomes stronger, more meaningful, and more hopeful when the people of Cornwall help shape it.

Your involvement in this review is essential. It ensures the 2027–2032 plan reflects what truly matters: restoring nature, responding to the forces of change, strengthening communities, and celebrating the character and culture that make CNL and its habitats so unique. The plan draws its purpose from the real experiences, ideas and hopes of those who know CNL the best across its 12 geographical sections.

By taking part in consultation surveys, people help build landscape‑scale resilience, nature rich and full of possibility. They help safeguard the traditions, stories and special places for future generations.

All are invited to be part of something empowering and rooted for Cornwall National Landscape, helping shape a MP that brings People, Place, Nature, Climate together. Take a look at our short video to help you embed a secure understanding of Cornwall National Landscape and the role you play in shaping its future.

Natural Beauty

“Natural beauty” isn’t just about how a landscape looks. It's peoples personal connection to place that can include the land’s shape and geology, its wildlife and plants, historic features, and the long history of people living and working in the area.

The CNL Management Plan is a shared blueprint for safeguarding Cornwall’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and environmental resilience. It is a living document that unites stakeholders, farmers, businesses, communities, conservationists, and policymakers around a common purpose: protecting People, Place, Nature, and Climate.

Why the Plan Matters

• Strategic Direction: Provides clarity and prioritisation for actions that align with statutory purposes.
• Unified Voice: Ensures all partners work toward shared outcomes, strengthening influence in policy and planning.
• Legacy: Creates a lasting framework for conserving and enhancing CNL for future generations.

Its Strategic Role

• Material Consideration in Planning decisions
• Acts as an evidence base for decision-making and funding bids.
• Sets out special qualities of the landscape and identifies key challenges and opportunities
• Provides broad guidance on development within designated areas.
• Leverages partnerships to deliver projects aligned with statutory purposes and partner strategies

Its Unique Selling Points

• Cross-Cutting Themes: People, Place, Nature, and Climate enable integrated action and attract funding for multi-benefit projects.
• Flexibility: Designed to adapt to contemporary challenges such as climate change and housing pressures.
• Identity: Celebrates Cornwall’s unique character across 12 sections, targeting opportunities intelligently.

The Risks Without the Plan

• Loss of strategic coordination.
• Reduced ability to attract funding.
• Fragmented approach to safeguarding the landscape and development.

Key Achievements Enabled by the 2022 -2027 Current Plan

• Funding & Partnerships: Secured significant investment and strengthened collaboration across sectors.
• Policy Influence: Shaped development proposals and influenced Local Plan reviews.
• Community Engagement: Supported local councils and communities in understanding development within the National Landscape.
• Environmental & Cultural Benefits:
  • Advanced nature-friendly farming and climate resilience.
  • Removed heritage assets from the “at risk” register.
  • Protected intangible cultural heritage and promoted food security.
• Volunteer & Wellbeing Impact: Facilitated thousands of volunteer hours, improving mental health and community cohesion.

What we have learned, commissioned and/ or researched in Partnership during the last 5 years, as part of the delivery of our management plan:

Take a look at the learning and research documents in the right panel.

Please complete the survey, you are all invited to be part of something empowering and rooted for Cornwall National Landscape, helping shape a Management Plan that brings People, Place, Nature, Climate together.

Thank you, we really appreciate your support.

Cornwall National Landscape Team

Please note: The current 2022-2027 Management Plan remains valid during this review period. The new Management Plan is due to be published in 2027 once it has been reported to Cornwall Council Cabinet in May 2027 for approval and adoption.