The Shropshire Hills National Landscape is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The purpose of this designation is to conserve and enhance the landscape, and the legal duty to fulfil this purpose rests with the two local authorities, Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council.
They act jointly in a formal structure called the Shropshire Hills National Landscape Partnership.
This 36-member strong Partnership plays an important role in fostering support for the Shropshire Hills. Members are key stakeholders and supporters, and include landowners, individuals, and representatives from organisations and local interest groups. The Partnership leads on preparing and monitoring the Management Plan for the area.
Together, with a small staff team, the Partnership works to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Shropshire Hills, guided by the statutory Management Plan.
The Partnership plays three main roles:
- To take and co-ordinate action to conserve and enhance natural beauty, promote wellbeing, enjoyment and understanding, and further sustainable development.
- To develop policy and strategy for the area, especially through the Management Plan, and to influence the policies and strategies of others.
- To support the involvement of the community in the management of the Shropshire Hills.
The Partnership does not own or manage any land directly. Most of the work of conserving the landscape is carried out by landowners in the area, and a wide variety of organisations. The staff team undertake projects, advise, support and help to co-ordinate the work of others, influence policy and raise awareness.
