Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the status is of Natural England's national landscape areas of outstanding natural beauty proposed designations for (a) the new Yorkshire Wolds, (b) the new Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, (c) extensions in the Surrey Hills and (d) extensions in the Chilterns; and whether changes have been made to the (i) timetable and (ii) target dates since July 2024.

The work considering the Yorkshire Wolds National Landscape and the Surrey Hills National Landscape extension is live and progressing in line with information shared on the project websites. There have been no major changes to timetables since July 2024, timelines are shaped by evidence received through consultation so can be subject to change. We are currently working towards submissions of a Designation Order to the Secretary of State for the Surrey Hills and the Yorkshire Wolds projects. The work on the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge National Landscape and the Chiltern National Landscape extension has been stopped.