The Partnership

Delivery of the National Landscape Management Plan is encouraged through effective partnership working, rather than through enforcement. Since it was constituted in 1986, the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) has been responsible for strategic liaison and decision-making between the wide range of partner organisations and interests within the National Landscape.

Terms of Reference of the Advisory Committee 2020/21 (901)

View Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes via Lancashire County Council website

The National Landscape JAC objectives are to:

  • Protect, conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape
  • Promote the sustainable social and economic development of the area, particularly where such activity conserves and enhances the environment
  • Encourage enjoyment of the area where it is consistent with the first two objectives

The current JAC membership comprises the following organisations: 

  • Lancashire County Council
  • North Yorkshire Council
  • Lancaster City Council
  • Pendle Borough Council
  • Preston City Council
  • Ribble Valley Borough Council
  • Lancashire Association of Local Councils
  • Yorkshire Local Councils Association
  • Natural England
  • Environment Agency
  • United Utilities plc
  • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
  • The Ramblers Association
  • Moorland Association
  • Bowland Land Managers Forum
  • Bowland Sustainable Tourism Network
  • Champion Bowland
  • Friends of Bowland
  • Lancashire Wildlife Trust
Pendle Hill

The National Landscape also benefits from other, additional personnel who work in support of the National Landscape Partnership. These include:

  • Staff and volunteer rangers from both Lancashire County Council Countryside Service and Wyre Coast and Countryside Service working in the National Landscape. These services focus primarily on access and visitor management in the National Landscape’s gateways, country parks and other “honeypot” sites 
  • Parish Lengthsman Schemes (supported by the National Landscape Partnership) operate within the parishes of Barley-w-Wheatley Booth, Blacko, Bolton-by-Bowland and Gisburn Forest, Downham, Goldshaw Booth, Higham-w-West Close Booth, Lawkland, Newton-in-Bowland, Pendleton, Roughlee Booth, Sabden, Sawley and Wiswell. The parish lengthsmen carry out small-scale environmental improvement and maintenance tasks on behalf of, and working with, the local community.
  • Other key National Landscape partner organisations involved in the delivery of Management Plan actions include: Natural England; the Environment Agency; United Utilities; the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester & North Merseyside; RSPB; Rivers Trusts, landowners and farmers; tourism businesses; community and voluntary groups and parish councils.