THE Landscape Trust needs help on Saturday, September 21 (1pm) to create a giant heart on the northern slopes of Arnside Knott. The heart will form part of a National Moment to celebrate 70 years since parliament passed the pioneering legislation which led to the creation of AONBs. Arnside has been chosen as the host AONB for the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, who will be reading a poem specially commissioned to mark the anniversary. All attendees will get a special commemorative copy of the poem to take home. Those who would like to go along, should arrive at the top of Redhills Pasture on the north eastern side of the Knott by 1pm. There is no parking onsite, so a walk is advised. The event will be filmed for use on social media and website. Regional and national media are being invited, too, so by attending, they are consenting to themselves and any children they take with them being filmed and/or photographed. Those attending should wear clothes to reflect their role. If they are an artist they could take a paintbrush to wave; mechanics, overalls; hikers, boots and backpacks and children in school uniform or scouts or brownie outfits. The trust wants to reflect the range of people who love the landscape.

THE Arnside and Silverdale AONB Development Plan document has been awarded North West winner in the Spatial Planning category of the Royal Town Planning Institute Regional Awards for Planning Excellence. The development plan document aims to conserve the natural beauty of the area, while providing for the specific housing needs of the community. Local people were consulted at all stages and many suggestions were put forward for possible sites for development and green spaces to be protected. It is the first plan of its kind for an AONB in the country and represents a huge amount of commitment, collaboration and hard work by two partner councils, South Lakeland District Council and Lancaster City Council, who have worked jointly with the AONB Partnership to make this happen. The judges were impressed by the ‘plan’s positive approach to affordable housing provision, supported by a comprehensive evidence base including a household needs survey form which was sent to every household within the AONB area. They were also particularly impressed with the landscape capacity approach to identifying potential development sites. This approach has helped the plan to achieve the delicate balance of preserving the natural beauty of the area, while providing for the specific housing needs of the community.The plan is an excellent example of joint working and positive planning, which has successfully addressed competing policy objectives at the national and local level. It is an innovative and ground-breaking plan, which showcases a wide range of skills and the high quality of planning work involved in its preparation. All regional category winners now go forward to the final in October.