Cornwall Council has launched the second phase of public consultation on the Cornwall National Landscape Management Plan. The announcement came on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, and residents and organisations are being asked to help shape the future of more than a quarter of Cornwall's protected landscapes.
The Management Plan is a statutory document required under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, reviewed every five years. It sets out the policies and long-term strategy for how Cornwall National Landscape (CNL) should be managed, protected and enhanced.
Covering around 27% of Cornwall, the National Landscape is unique in England: it is made up of 12 distinct geographical sections, each with its own character, pressures and opportunities. Around 95 parish and town councils fall wholly or partly within these protected areas.
Following an initial consultation held between March and May 2026, Cornwall Council is now seeking further views to ensure the next Management Plan reflects what matters most to the people who live, work and spend time in these landscapes. Residents are encouraged to complete a short 10-question survey, available via the link at the bottom of the Council's consultation page.
The Council says the Management Plan "belongs to everyone who calls Cornwall home, works here, or cherishes this remarkable place for recreation, inspiration and sanctuary." It acts as both policy and shared guidance, shaped by communities, farmers, businesses, conservation groups, partners and visitors. While mandated by DEFRA and framed by national targets for protected landscapes, the plan is also described as a "living story", enriched by science, research and local knowledge. The Council says the plan becomes "stronger, more meaningful and more hopeful" when the people of Cornwall help shape it.
The next Management Plan will focus on:
By taking part in the consultation, residents help build landscape-scale resilience and safeguard traditions, stories and special places for future generations.
"Natural beauty" is defined not only by how a landscape looks, but by people's personal connection to place, including geology, wildlife, plant life, historic features and the long history of people living and working in the area.
The Management Plan is described as a shared blueprint for safeguarding Cornwall's natural beauty, cultural heritage and environmental resilience. It aims to unite farmers, communities, businesses, conservationists and policymakers around a common purpose: protecting People, Place, Nature and Climate.
The existing 2022-2027 Management Plan remains valid throughout the review period. The new plan is expected to be published in 2027, following a report to Cornwall Council's Cabinet in May that year.
The Cornwall National Landscape Team thanked residents for their continued support and encouraged everyone to take part in shaping the future of Cornwall's protected landscapes.
The second round of public consultation is open until 30 September 2026. Residents are invited to share their views on how the Management Plan should work, who it should work for, and how it should be delivered. The Council says it wants to move "from collecting concerns to sharing decisions," building on the passion and insight shared during the first consultation.
Council Launches Second Landscape Plan Consultation