About Us

The Quantock Hills AONB Service has developed over the last 25 years protecting and enhancing the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The AONB service works on behalf of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) to develop and deliver a five-yearly statutory Management Plan.

An Officers Working Group (OWG), made up of representatives of local authorities and Natural England, form a working group for the AONB Service and monitor progress against the Management Plan.

Natural England, County Council and three District Councils all contribute financially as well as guiding the work of the AONB Service through the JAC and OWG.

The AONB Service works to look after the historic landscape and wildlife, advise visitors, assist and advise farmers and landowners and to ensure enhanced levels of service for the AONB. Much of the work of the AONB Service is undertaken in partnership with other organisations such as The Forestry Commission and the National Trust.

Who's Who?

  • Iain Porter - Acting AONB Manager
    Acting AONB Manager - Iain Porter
    The role of Manager encompasses a wide range of activities that include: Day to day management of the team, developing AONB policy, commenting on behalf of JAC on statutory consultations and ensuring good working practices with all partnerships.
  • Post frozen - Development Officer
    Development Officer - Post frozen
    The role of a Development Officer is varied and includes, the planning and development of the AONB Service projects that will implement the action points from the Management Plan. This will include sourcing funding for many of the projects. Other responsibilities include ICT support and the management of the Quantock Hills Sustainable Development Fund.
  • Emma-Jane Preece - Landscape Planning Officer
    Landscape Planning Officer - Emma-Jane Preece
    With AONBs being a landscape designation it is important to have a role who can influence policy on planning in and around the AONB. This post develops guidance on planning and links with the local planning authorities to ensure that any development is sensitive to the needs of the AONB landscape.
  • Georgie Grant - Communications Officer
    Communications Officer - Georgie Grant
    This Officer role deals with all aspects of communications. This includes producing newsletters, annual reports, managing public relations and media enquiries and managing our website which is the first point of contact for many visitors.
  • Katy Coate - Support Assistant
    Support Assistant - Katy Coate
    The Support Assistant role includes administration, the day to day running of the Quantock Office and supporting the other officers and rangers in their roles.
  • Tim Russell - Senior Ranger
    Senior Ranger - Tim Russell
    Tim’s key role is public access and he works closely with Somerset County Council Right of Way section, landowners and farmers to improve the Rights of Way and Open Access within the AONB. Tim is also involved with a number heritage and community projects from the Management Plan.
  • Andy Harris - Partnership Ranger
    Partnership Ranger - Andy Harris
    The Partnership Ranger works jointly for the Forestry Commision and the AONB Service. Andy’s roles include Habitats and Biodiversity which involves working with farmers and commoners to ensure the continued protection of the conservation areas. Andy is also the first point of contact for anyone wanting to organise an event on the Quantocks.
  • Volunteers - Conservation Volunteers
    Conservation Volunteers - Volunteers
    The Volunteer support all aspects of the AONB Services work, including practical tasks, visitor management and monitoring. Tasks can include scrub bashing, wildlife surveys, litter clearance and giving talks. They are a vital element in the AONB Service and provide an important link with local communities.
  • Owen Jones - Volunteer Co-ordinator
    Volunteer Co-ordinator - Owen Jones
    Owen is joining us on a one year contract as part-time Volunteer Co-ordinator to increase the volunteering opportunities within the AONB. He will be looking to enhance the linkages with the existing volunteer group (Quantock Conservation Volunteers) which is a joint initiative between the AONB Service and the National Trust.

Stay in the loop

Annual Reports

View Annual reports from the Quantock AONB Service

AONB Planning Consultation Comments 2011

Please click below to read responses made by the AONB on behalf of the Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee

Information leaflets

Find out more about why the heathland is so important for birds, the red deer on the Quantocks and why the history of the landscape is so special.

Management Plan

The Quantock Hills AONB Management Plan 2009-2014 and Management Plan Summary

Newsletters

If you would like to subscribe to the Quantock Hills e-newsletter please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and we will put you on our mailing list

Other organisations and activities in the Quantocks

A few things you might find interesting from organisations we work with in the Quantocks

Planning Guidance and Position Statements

Find our guidance documents and position statements here.

PREPARING FOR CHANGE

Climate-proof your tourism business

Quantock Deer Count Results 7 March 2010

The results of the annual Quantock Deer Count held on 7 March 2010.

QUANTOCK ECO EVENTS PROGRAMME

Building Resilient Villages

Quantock Hills Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) Papers

Papers from the partnership committee the Joint Advisory Committeeqhjac_papers_22nd_july_11.pdf

Quantock Hills Visitor Guide

Quantock Hills Visitor Guide

Recreation Leaflets

a full range of leaflets from circular walks to event guides and leaflets to allow you to enjoy the best of the hills

SCC disposal of land

Find out the Quantock Hills AONB Service position, and our response to SCC

Sustainable Development Fund forms

The SDF for 20011/12 has £45,000 to allocate. This will provide grants to organisations, businesses, community groups and individuals who wish to explore and develop practical projects that enhance, conserve and develop the environment, economy and way of life.

Tick Leaflet

Ticks are becoming more common and a bite from this spider-like parasite could lead to Lyme Disease. This is a treatable infection caused by bacterium transmitted by ticks when they bite. Not every tick carries Lyme Disease and it is important to realise that the disease is relatively rare.

Wild Places competition

Win a chance to create your own 'wild place'.

Information

Useful Contacts

Quantock AONB Service
Tel: 01823 451 884

Somerset Wildlife Trust
Tel: 01823 652 400
www.somersetwildlife.org

National Trust
Tel: 01823 451 814
www.nationaltrust.org

Forestry Commission
Tel: 01278 732 319