Somerset AONBs renamed as 'National Landscapes'
The changes are happening across the country to reflect their national importance in improving biodiversity and visitors' wellbeing
Last updated 21st Jul 2024
All Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are now called National Landscapes from today.
That includes Somerset’s Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills, and the Blackdown Hills - all of which are changing from today (November 22).
The name change is said to reflect their national importance in improving biodiversity and visitors' wellbeing.
The change has been called 'a significant milestone' for the UK.
It marks the next step in realising the vision to be the leading exemplars of how thriving, diverse communities can work with and for nature in the UK - by restoring ecosystems, providing food, storing carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change, safeguarding against drought and flooding, whilst also nurturing people’s health and wellbeing.
By 2030, National Landscapes aim that, within their boundaries, at least 200,000 hectares of the most valuable natural areas (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) will be in favourable condition; 100,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside of SSSIs will be created or restored; and 36,000 hectares of woodland will have been planted or allowed to regenerate.
National Landscapes Partnerships will also focus on habitat restoration.
Across the UK, there are 46 National Landscapes, covering 14% of England, Wales and Northern Ireland including moorland, farmland, coast, forests, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserves, a Geopark and International Dark Sky Reserves.
Around two thirds of people in England live within 30 minutes of a National Landscape and at least 170 million people visit them every year.
Councillor Dixie Darch, Somerset Council’s Executive Lead Member for Environment and Climate Change said: “The names may be changing but these remain the same beautiful spaces that residents have enjoyed for many years and are so important to Somerset’s identity.
“However, they are not just wonderful places to enjoy: these landscapes have an important role to play in addressing the causes and impacts of climate change and that is reflected in this new status.
“We will be working closely with colleagues to see how these spaces and their enhanced status can complement and support wider council-led work such as our tree strategy and Somerset’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.”
John Watkins, Chief Executive of the National Landscapes Association said: “For decades, AONB teams have convened powerful partnerships which have placed them at the forefront of the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, but since their initial designation, our country has changed immensely, as have the needs and pressures on the environment and communities. However, we have great ambition as well as the commitment and readiness to care for and protect these important places, whilst also extending a welcome to more people. Our ambitious aims build on AONB teams’ long track record of successful delivery for nature and people, and we are confident that we will achieve them. National Landscapes are the landscape designation for the 21 Century and beyond.”
Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England said: “For decades the AONBs have helped protect the beauty of our finest landscapes. Today though we need so much more from these wonderful places, helping us adapt to climate change, catching carbon, restoring depleted wildlife, and encouraging more people outside, at the same time as producing food, sustaining local communities, and enhancing historic environments.
“Modern challenges require new approaches and today marks the beginning of a new phase for our National Landscapes, as they strengthen their existing partnerships, and forge new ones that will secure in perpetuity the huge range of benefits that come from these special places. Big change has taken place during the past 75 years and bigger changes still can be expected during the decades ahead. Uniting the National Landscapes in this way is very welcome and spells immense opportunity and great hope for the future.”