Shaping the Future of the Forest of Bowland
The Forest of Bowland National Landscape Partnership has a legal responsibility to review and update a five-year Management Plan. This plan sets out what makes the Forest of Bowland so special, the challenges it faces and the actions needed to conserve, enhance and celebrate its components of natural beauty and special qualities.
It’s not just a document for the Partnership team – it’s for everyone who cares about this landscape: partner organisations, farmers and landowners, local communities and businesses. The aim is to work together to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of this remarkable area.
A new draft plan has been created by the National Landscape team, with valuable input from a wide range of partners.
INFO ABOUT CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN
Have your say!
We’ve had a lot of help from our partners in putting the Draft Management Plan together and are now seeking views from people who live, work and visit the Forest of Bowland National Landscape. The public consultation period runs from 16 January to 27 February 2026.
We’d especially like your thoughts on the Outcomes and Measures section of the plan (page 31 onwards).
- Have we focused on the things that matter most to you? Is there anything important we’ve missed? And do you feel we’ve addressed the key concerns for the future of your local landscape?
Please let us know your views using the online survey form:
- Download a PDF of the whole plan
- Appendix 1 - Summary Landscape Character Assessment
- Appendix 2 - Climate Change Adaptation Plan
- Appendix 3 - Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)*
- Appendix 4 - Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA)*
- Appendix 5 - Equality Impact Assessment
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Follow this link to submit your responses via the ONLINE FORM
- If you prefer, you can request paper copies from the Forest of Bowland National Landscape team by contacting Hetty Byrne - hetty.byrne@lancashire.gov.uk
* If you would like to comment on the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) please complete your response via a separate ONLINE FORM. Note: the SEA is to judge the likely impact of a plan on the environment and the HRA is to ensure the long-term conservation of certain species and habits by protecting them from possible adverse effects of plans. Your opinions will help refine and improve both assessments.
A Consultation Summary Report will be published on the website from end March 2026.
The Consultation Summary Report (when published) will show the responses to your comments (anonymously, unless you specifically state on the web form that you would like your name published alongside your comments) from the Forest of Bowland National Landscape team, key findings and recommendations based on your feedback from the consultation.
CONSULTATION PROCESS
- Public consultation between 16 January to 27 February 2026
- Consultation Summary Report published online - end March 2026
- Production of final plan - March/April 2026
- Formal Approval: April-May 2026
- The National Landscape Partnership/Joint Committee meets to endorse the revised plan.
- Final approval is sought from the relevant authorities.
- Formal Adoption: May 2026
- Each local authority formally adopts the plan, making it official for the designated area.
- The Secretary of State (for Environment) is notified.