News and Information from the Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership

Planning Matters in the AONB: A Review of the AONB Planning Protocol

The AONB Planning Consultative Panel (PCP) was formed in November 2005. One of its first actions was to draft a Planning Protocol between the AONB Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) and the Local Planning Authority. This protocol (first adopted in January 2006) establishes the principle that the AONB JAC will, through powers delegated to PCP, submit consultation responses to the Local Planning Authority on planning applications and planning policy that may impact on the AONB designation's statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the environment.

The panel is made up of JAC members and representatives of AONB partner organisations. Members are independent of the Local Planning Authority and do not comment on applications in which they have an interest.

JAC has resolved to disband PCP in its current form because it is proving difficult to recruit, train and retain PCP members. The work is time-consuming and requires a working knowledge of national and local planning policy. In view of these challenges JAC has resolved to devolve responsibility for drafting consultation responses to the AONB staff, with JAC representative(s) reviewing drafts to assure quality and consistency.

The AONB Partnership will continue to submit evidence-based, policy-informed assessments of the likely impact of proposed development and planning policy on the AONB environment.

The current JAC Planning Protocol, last reviewed in March 2010, is being revised to reflect the new mechanism and procedure.

Public Consultations on the Isles of Scilly Historic Environment Research Framework (SHERF)

SHERF is a project being undertaken by those with an interest in the historic environment of the Isles of Scilly, including academics, local authority archaeologists, museum staff and others. The project is part-funded by English Heritage with contributions from the Council of the Isles of Scilly and the Duchy of Cornwall.

The project is defining a research framework for the Islands’ historic environment. This is being achieved by assessing our current understanding of Scilly’s past, by identifying gaps in our knowledge and by targeting priorities for future research. The project seeks to involve the local and wider research community so that there is community ownership of the research framework. The production of the research framework is being achieved in three stages as set out in ‘Frameworks for our Past’ (English Heritage 1996): Resource Assessment, Research Agenda and Research Strategy.

The completed Resource Assessment can be viewed here, as too can the draft Research Agenda that is available for comment until the end of September 2012.

Mendip Hills AONB Young Rangers Visit Scilly

This August the Isles of Scilly AONB Unit worked alongside the Council of the Scilly Children's Services Team to organise a visit from the Mendip Hills AONB Young Rangers.

The Young Rangers joined a group of young people from Scilly for three days packed full of exciting and educational activities in the AONB.

The young people learnt about the work of the AONB Partnership in conserving and enhancing the Isles of Scilly AONB.  The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust provided an afternoon of raking and pruning at the Garrison Meadows, an area formally used as an allotment by soldiers during WWII. The young people discovered that conservation management helps ensure that the meadows retain their important wild flowers and grasses, which in turn benefits biodiversity as a whole.

The Isles of Scilly Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) made a presentation on its work. We had organised a trip on the IFCA RIB, but unfortunately weather conditions prevented us from doing so!

We also paid a visit to Tresco Abbey Gardens to find out about the garden's history. The Young Rangers also learnt why certain plants flourish in Scilly's mild climate and how important the gardens are to tourism on the Islands. The group also discovered some of Scilly's maritime history at the Vallhalla Museum.

Marine Conservation Society's Big Beachwatch Weekend 2012

The Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership works to deliver beach cleans throughout the year in Scilly.

Once a year, the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) organises a Beachwatch Big Beach Clean, which the AONB Unit runs on MCS's behalf in Scilly.

Porth Hellick, the Islands' 'Adopt a Beach' in this scheme, was given a thorough clean on Saturday 15th September by 17 volunteers who gave up their time to help keep Scilly special. Together they helped clear over 20kg of beach waste including:

- 52 plastic bottles;

- 450 pieces of discarded fishing net/rope;

- 297 small, unidentified plastic pieces;

Beach litter not only harms our precious wildlife, but it looks unsightly too. Organised beach cleans go a long way to conserve and enhance the special qualities of the Isles of Scilly AONB.

The AONB Unit would like to thank all the volunteers that helped during this event.

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The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust cares for 60% of the Islands' landmass, including Porth Hellick Beach.

The Council of the Isles of Scilly helps dispose of the beach clean waste.

Both these organisations are members of the AONB Partnership.

New Projects Gain Funding Through the AONB Sustainable Development Fund 2012-2013

The Isles of Scilly AONB Partnership is pleased to announce that a further £12,500 has been awarded to projects through the AONB Sustainable Development Fund 2012-2013.

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Redwing Traditional Sailing Dingies- National Championship and Restoration Project: Scillonian Sailing Club

In late August the Isles of Scilly hosted the 2012 Redwing National Championship. The Scillonian Sailing Club used SDF grant-aid to help promote the event.

The Redwing National Championship 2012 brought many of these classic sailing dinghies back to one of their renowned strongholds. The National Championship also helped support the local economy. It is hoped that the success of the 2012 event will mean that the Redwing National Championship will return to Scilly in the near future.

The Scillonian Sailing Club is also using SDF grant-aid to contribute to significant repairs to some local Redwings, with the aim to restore them to a sailable condition and to enhance local people's boat repair skills.

SDF Grant Award £5,500

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Isles of Scilly Habitat Mapping Project: Environmental Records Centre for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (ERCCIS)

ERCCIS is using SDF grant-aid to deliver some of the objectives of the Isles of Scilly Biodiversity Strategy 2008. The Isles of Scilly Habitat Mapping Project will record semi-natural habitat cover across the Islands, the results then allowing changes in the AONB landscape to be monitored.

SDF Grant Award £3,000

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Digital Archive of Music and Oral History: Island Hall Committee, St Agnes

This innovative project supports the production of a CD which captures the history of the Island Hall and St Agnes through music and oral history recordings.

This archive of digital music will be available in the Island Hall for residents and visitors to access. The St Agnes Island Hall Committee will also invest funds raised through sale of the CD into refurbishment of the St Agnes Island Hall.

SDF Grant Award £4,000

A Look Back At Previous AONB SDF Projects

Project: Quay Partners: Quay Crane 2011-2012

Applicant: The Duchy of Cornwall

SDF Grant Award: £4,720

The Project's Aim

The aim of the Quay Partner's project was to purchase and install a side hoist on St Mary's Quay, to be made available to qualified individuals/operators such as Boat Engineers, Fishermen, Freight Operators and Off-Island residents. 

Historically, goods were mainly moved across the quay by hand or were carried up and down the quay steps. Alternately, quay users had to wait until either the Scillonian III or Gry Maritha were available to hoist goods off other vessels.

The previous situation was time-consuming and labour intensive.  

The Project to date

The AONB Unit recently caught up with Dale Clark, The Duchy Harbour Master, to find out how successful the quay crane project has been since receiving SDF grant funding.

Dale informed the AONB Unit that 'The quay crane has been a great success here on the quay. Although we have not had take up from the casual users that we would have liked, the local fishermen and the Steamship Company have made good use of this new facility. Not only has it reduced the time spent by fishermen and quay workers in their work bringing items ashore, but also the health and safety aspects have been improved - people no longer need to lift heavy and awkward items up slippery steps. The crane is still able to be used whilst either the Gry Maritha or the Scillonian III is alongside which is essential'.
 

'The improvement in safety for fishermen and Steamship employees is a huge step forwards and the crane has quickly become an important piece of kit that we would struggle without'.

What's On in the AONB?

October is Dark Skies Month in Scilly

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Monday 1st October- 'Big Night Out'

Youth Hub Members can join staff from the AONB Unit, the RSPB and the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust as we discover some of Scilly's amazing nocturnal wildlife! Tom Scott, a local astronomer, will also be available to help us explore Scilly's dark night skies!

For more information, or to book a place, please contact the Isles of Scilly Children's Services Team on 01720 423680 or email childrensservices@scilly.gov.uk

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23rd-25th October- Space Camp lands in Scilly! 

Run in partnership with the Council of the Isles of Scilly Children's Services Team, Children and Young People in Scilly will have the opportunity to learn what it's like to be an astronaut, understand the science behind space exploration and discover the solar system and beyond with this fun-filled holiday activity!

Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks!

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29th-31st October- Space Odyssey Planetarium is touching down!

Organised in partnership with the Council of the Isles of Scilly Children's Services team and the AONB Unit, the Space Odyssey Planetarium will inspire and excite children, young people and adults alike!

Discover the wonders of the solar system, the special qualities of Scilly's dark night skies and learn more about Scilly's Dark Sky Discovery sites within the confines of a mobile planetarium!

It is hoped that evening star gazing walk/talk will also be run during the week. 

Keep and eye out for more information in the coming weeks!