INTERNATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP EXCHANGE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE 1996 UK EXCHANGE
Beacon Regional Park, England

Introduction

Beacon Regional Park (BRP) is an area of protected open space lying within the Green Belt surrounding Birmingham, Lichfield, Sandwell and Walsall. Its 4,000 hectares are managed “to balance the opportunities and conflicts which arise in a multi-use landscape” along the urban fringe. This area of Green Belt is exceptional in that it forms a “Green Wedge” which extends far into the conurbation.

This “Green Wedge” is a network of open space interspersed with sizable pockets of development. The primary land use is agriculture, with golf courses, derelict land, utility corridors (high voltage transmission lines), railways and roads also present.

The area contains a wealth of natural settings including a range of water bodies, including rivers, lakes and a complex canal system. These natural and man made features are linked by a network of paths used for walking, horse-riding and cycling. The landscape is further protected through designations including SSSI, Local Nature Reserves, Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation, and commons.

Observations

Access

· The Brecon Beacons is a popular destination for hill walkers and day trippers
· Hill walkers and heavy summer grazing have damaged parts of the uplands
· The National Trust has an extensive programme for restoring trails and setting standards for repair
· Many user groups can co-exist peacefully but special arrangements need to be made for motorised recreation

Interpretation

· There are many worthwhile educational programmes on offer in the area

Farming

·The landscape has been shaped by thousands of years of farming
· Farming is central to conserving the landscape and providing access within a wider context of the distinctive culture and community of the Brecon Beacons, and farming is in crisis

Community

· Although many local people felt appreciation for the area and its special qualities, there was a vocal segment of the population who were critical of the National Park Authority
· The character of market towns such as Brecon is vulnerable to inappropriate developments

Marketing

· There are a range of agencies, large and small, pursuing their own objectives and shaping the visitor experience in different ways
· The Welsh tourist board has overall responsibility for marketing the Wales visitor experience, but has insufficient resources to establish a strong identity for the Brecon Beacons
· There is a lack of co-ordination and occasional competition between the various agencies operating in the Brecon Beacons

Recommendations

Access

· The National Trust footpath project needs an injection of funding
· More effort should be put into encouraging walkers away from the tops and towards lower level paths through appropriate promotional materials, encouraging smaller size groups, and communicating the landscape’s fragility

Interpretation

· A consortium of educators should be established to share curriculum objectives and ideas, maximise resources and reduce duplication of effort
· A joint resource publication to promote the various programmes should be produced for teachers
· Interpretation should develop a stronger connection between the industrial valley story and the upland farm heritage
· Personal interpretation at key locations will enhance the visitor experience and understanding of the need to conserve the landscape

Farming

· The National Park and bodies representing farmers and landowners lobby the Welsh Office for sufficient funding to fully implement Tir Gofal. Given the importance of the landscape, the Park should ensure that a target of a minimum of 20-30% of farm holdings should be accepted into the scheme in the first year
· Schemes are set up to enable public access to be managed by farmers on a contract basis with local partnership funding. This should include the provision of the necessary training
· Schemes to assist farmers wishing to train in traditional skills such as hedging, stone walling and woodland management be extended
· Present grant schemes relating to environmental and tourism schemes be simplified to make grants more accessible and less bureaucratic
· Co-operative farmers’ marketing organisations be developed based on Welsh lamb and beef bred on the hills in an environmentally friendly way
· Organisations such as the Development Commission should provide advice and assistance for the above

Community

· The National Park Authority needs to anticipate negative reactions and work hard at communicating the reasons for their decisions through the media. It also needs to clearly communicate that it is the integrated planning and management agency for the park
· Brecon should continue to develop its identity as a vibrant market town

Marketing

· There should be a memorable geographical designation such as “Brecon Beacons District” which incorporates all of the diverse elements and associations, as the lynchpin of an effective marketing campaign
· Local marketing efforts should be augmented and expanded
· A forum should be created which brings together all those involved in visitor marketing A community wide coalition or network for co-operation which can speak with one voice would be extremely important for the conservation of the special values of the area and the economic well being of its residents

The Future

Strength in Numbers

The Brecon Beacons faces many challenges: the erosion of peaks on National Trust land; an abundance of visitors cars in small hamlets; the falling prices and the search for diversification and new markets by farmers; to the seemingly lost identity of industrial towns where once clamouring factories are now empty green patches; and small merchants who have owned their businesses for decades being displaced by competition from multi-nationals moving into their villages. Considered individually, resolution of these and other concerns may seem daunting. However, the region and its people have a collective heritage and resources that if viewed in their entirety can provide many important answers and opportunities if good questions are asked and comprehensive and interconnected solutions are sought after. There is the opportunity for a coalition of co-operation within the Brecon Beacons District.

The Team

· Andrew Campbell, Scottish Natural Heritage (UK)
·Jane Chapman, Peak District National Park (UK)
· Ron Golem, National Park Service (USA)
· Rebecca Harriet, National Park Service (USA)
· John Hutcheson, Highland Council (UK)
· Chester Liebs, University of Vermont (USA)
· Mike Smith, Cumbria County Council (UK)
· Virginia Westbrook, Champlain Valley Heritage Network (USA)

Where to Find Out More: Mr Gavin Hogg The National Trust 2 Dairy Square Powys Castle Welshpool SY21 8RS TEL: 01938 557011 FAX: 01938 555419 Email: gdwrgh@smtp.ntrust.org.uk

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©2002 Glynwood Center