Plans to extend protections around the Chilterns
Other areas could also receive AONB status
More of the Chilterns could be given protected status, under plans announced this morning.
The government wants to extend the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty here and in the Surrey Hills.
But one group representing land owners says there's a lot of questions around how this will be achieved.
What would this mean for the Chilterns?
The Chilterns is home to many vibrant and growing communities.
An extension to the Chilterns AONB would provide direct access to high-quality natural environments from many urban areas such as Luton, Hemel Hempstead and Slough.
Newly designated land would provide people living in these areas with greater opportunities to access to the countryside, benefit from the tranquillity it provides and get away from the pressures of everyday life.
Today’s announcement is equally important for Chilterns’ wildlife and habitats. With its globally rare chalk streams, wildflower-rich chalk grassland and prehistoric settlements -
including Bronze and Iron Age hillforts - extending the boundaries of the AONB provides opportunities for a more strategic approach to caring for the special features of the Chilterns’ that are currently outside the protected area.
Dr Elaine King, Chief Executive Officer at the Chilterns Conservation Board, said:
“We are delighted that Natural England has chosen to consider our proposal for the Chilterns AONB to be increased in size.
"This is an exciting chapter in our history, which will help bring more people closer to nature and increase opportunities for recreation and enjoyment of this special landscape.
"We are also excited at the opportunity to explore new and innovative approaches by which we can tackle the impacts of climate change, reverse declines in nature, support our local businesses and improve people’s wellbeing and access to our special landscapes.
"This is even more important as we all work to recover from the impacts of the Covid pandemic.”
Other areas to be looked after
Two of England's most iconic landscapes are being considered to become new Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), alongside extensions to the Surrey Hills and Chilterns AONBs, under plans to create new protected landscapes and improve people's access to nature.
The Yorkshire Wolds and the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge have been put forward to be recognised as protected areas and, alongside the two proposed expansions, the four areas will now be formally considered for 'AONB' status by Natural England.
Securing this designation would allow them to benefit from greater protections, so that more of England's beautiful landscapes are safeguarded for future generations.
Delivering on the manifesto commitment to create new protected landscapes, taken together, the four areas being considered have the potential to deliver over 40% of the additional 4,000km2 required to meet the UK's commitment to protect 30% of our land by 2030, which under UK leadership at the recent G7 Summit, all G7 members have now signed up to.
The Environment Secretary will also outline plans to drive nature recovery and people's access to nature in protected landscapes.
The plans will include a renewed drive to support nature recovery within our protected landscapes, working hand in hand with local authorities and the teams operating National Parks and AONBs, as well as efforts to enable more people from across society to benefit from access to England's most famous natural landscapes.
They will also include options to strengthen the status and support given to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and government will consult on the proposals next year to ensure that plans are developed in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders, including National Park Authorities and local authorities.
Protecting farming
A new Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is also being launched, which will provide funding to help farmers and other land managers in England based in National Parks or AONBs to make improvements to the natural environment and improve public access on their land - the next step in the Government's landmark plans for a renewed agriculture sector outside of the Common Agricultural Policy.
The funding will go towards one-off projects to support nature recovery; improve public access; mitigate the impacts of climate change; provide opportunities for people to enjoy and understand the landscape; and support nature-friendly and sustainable farm businesses.
Projects could include creating ponds or other wetland to support a variety of wildlife; providing new or easier public access opportunities and links to the Public Rights of Way network; conserving historic features on a farm; or even action to reduce carbon emissions or use of plastics on farms.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said:
"We have an opportunity to create a new chapter for our protected landscapes.
"The work that we are going to take forward will contribute to our commitment to protect 30% of our land by 2030, and boost biodiversity, while designating more areas of the country for their natural beauty.
"Our Farming in Protected Landscapes programme will provide additional investment to allow farmers to work in partnership with our National Park Authorities and AONB teams to improve public access."
Chair of Natural England Tony Juniper said:
"Today's announcement signals an ambitious step forward in growing our family of precious national landscapes, as well as protecting and improving the ones we have.
"One thing that has become very apparent recently, and especially during the pandemic, is the enormous benefit people get from having access to beautiful nature-rich landscapes. These can, however, be hard for many people to reach, thereby raising the question of how more can be done to bring nature and people closer together.
"On this, we see huge opportunities arising from the establishment of the England Nature Recovery Network, of which wilder national landscapes will be a vital part.
"As Government's statutory landscape adviser, we look forward to continuing to work closely with Government, designated landscape bodies and stakeholders to deliver more for and through England's diverse landscapes."
The proposals follow the independent review led by Julian Glover which called for action to make our protected landscapes greener, more beautiful and open to everyone. The government will respond to the review's recommendations in full later this year.
Julian Glover, who led the review, said:
"Our national landscapes are the soul of England, beautiful, much-loved, and there for all of us, but they are also under pressure.
"We need to do a lot more for nature and more for people, too. Our report set out a plan for a brighter, greener future and I'm delighted that words are now being followed by action."
Today's announcements will contribute to the Government's commitment of protecting 30% of our land by 2030, and builds on plans to boost biodiversity, protect our peatlands and create new woodlands as set out recently by the Environment Secretary.
Mark Tufnell, Deputy President of the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) which represents 28,000 farmers, land managers and rural businesses across England and Wales, said:
"We are behind government's aims and ambitions to protect and enhance the natural environment and the biodiversity that underpins it.
"But the lack of detail raises more questions than answers on how these ambitions will be achieved. Our main concern is how the government's commitment to designate additional protected landscapes will be taken forward.
"This should not be to randomly satisfy a target, but done for the right reasons to protect our finest landscapes. Currently, designation stifles economic growth, hampering rural businesses from re-investing in their communities to offer affordable houses and create new jobs.
"Planning rules often lead to one sector, such as tourism, becoming dominant which makes local economies and communities far more vulnerable to shocks like Covid-19.
"The rural economy is 18% less productive than the national average, and this will only increase if the designation system isn't reformed to ensure a commitment to economic resilience and sustainable communities."