BLACKDOWN HILLS PARISH NETWORK WORK PLAN 2023
OUR PURPOSE
The purpose of the Blackdown Hills Parish Network (BHPN) is to represent and act for the
benefit of the parishes wholly or partly within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding
Natural Beauty (AONB). The BHPN aims to identify, address and promote issues of
common concern for these parishes and work for cohesion among the local authorities
responsible for the AONB
OUR CONCERNS, AND AIMS & INTENTIONS
Our key ongoing concerns about matters affecting the Blackdown Hills, and those who
live and work here (and those visiting to enjoy the natural beauty), are:
1 Climate & The Environment
In line with the government, principal local authorities, the AONB, and our member Parish
Councils we recognise the threat to the climate and the environment and the need to
help address this – encouraging and supporting member parishes to work to reduce
carbon emissions, reduce waste, and support and enhance the natural environment.
2 Planning
Given our location within an AONB, confusing and contradictory decisions are made by
Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) on occasions. We will attempt to work with LPAs,
providing them with input and advice and urging them to pay more attention to the
views of statutory consultees, including the AONB Team, and reflect Parish Councils’ and
communities’ concerns in planning decisions and consent conditions.
3 Broadband
Over the last 8-10 years the government has regularly stressed the importance of rolling
out superfast and then full-fibre broadband – backing this with a number of dedicated
funding schemes. Throughout the Blackdown Hills – where plenty of residents and
businesses still receive very slow speeds which adversely impact on business, education
and leisure - we need to see this become a reality: we need Connecting Devon &
Somerset and Devon and Somerset County Councils (the County Councils) to deliver.
4 Highways & Transport
Guided by input from our member Parish Councils, we will attempt to work with the
County Councils (as Statutory Highways Authorities) to address the impact of HGVs, and
the 60mph national speed limits outside villages. on our narrow country lanes. We would
welcome structured discussions with the County Councils about public transport.