IDEAS on how the development and conservation of one of the area’s most popular holiday destinations should proceed over the next five years are being sought by management chiefs.

Individuals, groups and organisations are being asked their views on a new ‘five year plan’ for the Forest of Bowland after the current one comes to an end next year.

The special qualities of the area were recognised officially in 1964 when the Forest of Bowland was designated as an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’ Now it is one of 46 in England and Wales.

An advisory Partnership for the Forest was established in the 1980s and is now responsible for producing five-yearly management plans for the area – the overall aim of which is to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural beauty of the landscape, say chiefs.

The new plan is currently being put together, and Partnership managers are looking for ideas focusing especially on how to deal with upland farming, landscape-scale conservation, woodland creation and management, development and visitor information until 2024.

A survey, which is open until May 25, is the first stage of consultation on the review of the management plan.

The Partnership will be holding further consultations during 2018, including the publication of a draft revised plan, with detailed objectives and policies, in the autumn.

A short, on-line questionnaire can be found at www.forestofbowland.com/Forest-Bowland-AONB-Management-Plan-Review.

The Forest of Bowland was the first ‘protected area’ in England to obtain the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas in September 2005. Thirteen per cent of the Forest is designated as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ for its extensive habitats of wet and dry heathland, particularly heather moor and blanket bog.