Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

(asked on 21st January 2020) - View Source

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the three most recent areas of outstanding natural beauty to be designated in the UK were; the dates of those designations; when he plans to make further designations; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Rebecca Pow Portrait
Rebecca Pow
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This question was answered on 27th January 2020

Designation of protected landscapes is a devolved matter. The three most recent Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designated in England are: Tamar Valley AONB in August 1995 (Cornwall and Devon), Nidderdale AONB in February 1994 (North Yorkshire) and Blackdown Hills AONB in June 1991 (Devon and Somerset). In addition, there have been variations to the boundaries of Dedham Vale AONB (Nayland-with-Wissington) in September 1991, Cotswolds AONB in December 1990; and Chilterns AONB in March 1990.

As part of the 25 Year Environment Plan, the Government commissioned a Review of Designated Landscapes, led by Julian Glover – the final report was published in September 2019. The Government welcomes the review and is carefully considering its proposals, including those concerning new designations.

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