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Objectives of this Geodiversity Audit and Action Plan

To raise awareness of the fundamental importance of geodiversity in the sustainable management of the district
To improve knowledge and understanding of the geodiversity resources within the district
To provide non-specialists with an easy-to-use guide to the geodiversity of the district
To identify the main geological formations and features, and to evaluate their contribution to geodiversity within the district
To place these geological formations and features in their regional, national and, where appropriate, international context
To evaluate those geological sites within the district which currently enjoy statutory or non-statutory protection and to identify any elements of the district’s geodiversity not represented in these sites and to make suggestion for how this might be addressed
To inform and contribute to the process of maintaining or bringing geological SSSIs in the district into favourable condition
To identify links between the district’s geodiversity and its landscape character, biodiversity and economic and cultural history
To identify threats to geological features
To identify opportunities to enhance the value of geological features
To recommend strategies to conserve geological features
To identify a network of representative sites which encapsulate the essential features of the district’s geology
To identify features and topics which can contribute to sustainable ‘geotourism’
To engage industry, local communities and voluntary groups in the district’s geodiversity and encourage them to become involved in understanding and celebrating geodiversity
To ‘embed’ geodiversity into future planning, management and interpretation policies
To recommend strategies for continued monitoring of the district’s geodiversity
To comment on geodiversity issues relevant to planning, development, mineral extraction and environmental monitoring and management
To provide a sound expert basis for framing specific recommendations and action points for the district’s geodiversity
To inform elected members sitting on regional or local planning committees about ways their activities will be able to promote geodiversity and geological conservation
To assist individuals and community groups with an interest in how consideration of geodiversity can improve their environment. The report will help guide expectations about what can be delivered in geological conservation and interpretation and how they might be involved
To help developers and their agents address geodiversity considerations in planning applications and in the design of development