Topic Groups

The Topic Groups are based upon the broad range of issues considered most important during the public consultation for the AONB Management Plan.

Membership of the groups and attendance at the meetings is open to all. If you are interested in serving on a group or attending a meeting, please contact us.

The topic groups are listed below:

Steering Group

This is composed of designated officers from the bodies that provide core funding to the AONB. The Group provides advice and support for the AONB Team and acts as an Executive Board for Partnership Panel when required.

Current members are:
Gavin Fauvel (Agent, Cranborne Estate), Richard Broadhead (Wiltshire Council), Michael Mounde (Partnership Panel vice-chairman), Mark Wilson (Hampshire County Council), Peter Moore (Environment Policy Group Manager, Dorset County Council), Kevin Morris (Head of Policy Planning, North Dorset District Council), Barry James (Somerset County Council), Richard Henshaw (Planning Department, East Dorset District Council), James Ives (Policy & Planning, New Forest District Council), David Clark (Heritage Conservation, Mendip District Council), Matt Low (Lead Adviser, Natural England).

Land Managers Advisory Forum

This group oversees the work of the AONB Team and gives advice and feedback from a land management perspective. It reflects the overwhelmingly agricultural nature of the AONB and brings together a diversity of land management expertise and viewpoints.

Current regular members are:
Gavin Fauvel (Agent, Cranborne Estate - Chairman), Simon Meaden (farmer), Alistair Fitzgerald (farmer), David Stratton (farmer), Robin Blatchford (farmer), Robert Lloyd (Land Managers Advisory Forum - Vice-Chairman), Tracy Adams (South Wiltshire Farmland Bird Advisor), Rob Large (Wiltshire Wildlife Trust), Andrew Pollard (Dorset Wildlife Trust), Louise Stratton (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group), Kevin Rylands (RSPB), Debbie Watkins (Dorset Wildlife Trust), Rob Baxter (NFU Group Secretary).

Access Group

This group assists the AONB in tackling issues regarding public rights of way and access to the countryside. These are cross-border issues, so a joined-up approach is especially beneficial.

Members are:
Denise Hewlett (Countryside Access Manager, Hampshire County Council), Richard Broadhead (Public Rights of Way Manager, Wiltshire Council), Sally Vickery (Public Rights of Way Officer, Somerset County Council), John Williamson (Public Rights of Way Officer, Dorset County Council), Phil Halliwell (Area Team Leader, Hampshire County Council), Paul Broadstock (Countryside Access Development Officer, Wiltshire Council), Mike Crook (Wiltshire Council), Robert Archer (South Somerset District Council), Geraldine Hobson (Dorset Local Access Forum), Richard Nicholl (Somerset Local Access Forum), Ruth Croker (New Forest Local Access Forum & Footpaths Society).

Planning and Transport Group

This group assists the AONB in tackling issues regarding local authority planning and transportation. These are cross-border issues, so a joined-up approach is especially beneficial. The group guides the work of the AONB Landscape and Planning Adviser, discusses major planning applications within the framework of the AONB Planning protocol and deals with historic environment issues in relation to forward planning.

Members are:
Peter Drake (Hampshire County Council), Tony Harris (Dorset County Council), Mike O'Dowd-Jones (Somerset County Council), Sarah Kelly (New Forest National Park Authority), Sue Mitchell (Dorset AONB), Graeme Hay (Wiltshire Council), Richard Nash (Wiltshire Council), Robert Archer (South Somerset District Council), Andy Foyne (South Somerset District Council, John Meeker (Mendip District Council), Charles Routh (Natural England), Graham Flatt (Hampshire County Council), Neil Williamson (New Forest District Council, Alice Harwood (New Forest District Council), Patrick Ilott (Interroute), Neil Jones (Mott McDonald), Kim Cowell (East Dorset District Council), Judy Windwood (East Dorset District Council, Sarah Jennings (North Dorset District Council), Laura Russ (Dorset County Council).