People across Lancashire are being urged to share their views as the public consultation on the Forest of Bowland National Landscape’s new management plan enters its final stretch.
The consultation, which closes on 2 March, will help shape the 2026–2031 plan. This is a document that will guide how one of Lancashire’s most treasured landscapes is protected, enhanced and enjoyed over the next five years.
The Forest of Bowland, stretching across rural Lancashire to the north and north east of Preston, draws thousands of visitors each year, while its farms and uplands play a vital role in food production, water management and carbon storage. The new plan aims to safeguard these qualities while responding to modern pressures.
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The draft plan sets out priorities including restoring peatlands and woodlands, supporting nature recovery, improving access to the countryside, strengthening rural communities and helping the landscape adapt to climate change. It also highlights the importance of sustainable farming, heritage conservation and ensuring that local people continue to benefit from the area’s natural beauty.
Tony Lund, partnership manager for the Forest of Bowland, said the plan provides the framework needed to coordinate action across organisations and communities.
“This plan is our primary strategy to protect and enhance the Forest of Bowland’s special qualities while tackling major challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change,” he added.
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