Dorset's Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty now National Landscapes
The name change has come into effect today (22nd November)
All designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales are becoming National Landscapes from today (Wednesday 22nd November).
That includes what's now the Dorset National Landscape and the Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
The new name is said to reflect their national importance; to protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also creating greater understanding and awareness for the work that they do.
There are 46 National Landscapes in the UK, covering 14% of England, Wales and Northern Ireland - while 66% of people in England (44 million) live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape and at least 170 million people visit them every year.
Tom Munro, Lead Officer for Dorset National Landscape said:
“Our work in leading the Wild Purbeck partnership is a great example of how we can bring people together to do bigger and better things for wildlife. Wild Purbeck enabled the creation of the 3,300 hectare Purbeck Heaths National Nature Reserve, allowing natural processes to be reinstated at a landscape scale.
"£800k secured by the Dorset National Landscape team for the NNR’s wilder grazing unit brought the focus and investment needed to make this ambitious scheme move from idea to action, supporting habitats for many rare species such as the Purbeck mason wasp, yellow centaury, heath bee-fly and woodlark depend.”
Linda Nunn, Lead Officer for Cranborne Chase National Landscape said:
“The very distinctive, diverse and cherished landscapes of Cranborne Chase continues to be nurtured and enhanced by the many hundreds of farmers and landowners who are stewards of this unique National Landscape. Whilst the team has always worked closely with the farming community, the Defra funded ‘Farming in Protected Landscapes’ (FiPL) programme has enabled us to offer grants of over £1million since 2021 to farmers for 85 innovative projects, proposed by themselves, to greatly enhance their land within the themes of Nature, Climate, People and Place.
"The Cranborne Chase National Landscape team will continue to engage with farmers, local communities and visitors to ensure this much loved nationally designated area is conserved, enhanced and enjoyed into the future.”
Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
“Dorset is blessed with natural beauty, and it is a vital contribution to the county’s economy. We are custodians of the natural environment and have pledged to maintain specific habitats and increase biodiversity where possible.”