Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Variation Project Second Consultation
Overview
Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Boundary Variation Project – 2nd Consultation
This webpage contains information and the online survey for those wishing to respond to the second statutory and public consultation for the Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB*) Boundary Variation Project.
Links to all the relevant documents and figures as well as details on all of the online and physical engagement events and document locations for this second consultation can be found on this website. Please read on to be signposted to these.
The webpage for the 1st consultation is now obsolete, but if you need to refer to it and any of the previous documentation you can find the link here: Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Boundary Variation Project - Defra - Citizen Space.
*AONBs were recently rebranded as National Landscapes; however, when designating, Natural England still legally designates an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. To avoid confusion, the reports and documents attached to this webpage refer to Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or AONBs, throughout. If additional land is subsequently designated, it would then be branded as part of the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
Background
Natural England is the public body responsible for conserving and enhancing the natural environment in England. One of Natural England’s statutory duties is to assess whether an area should be given special status and protection by designating it as a National Park or National Landscape. The purpose of such designation is to conserve and enhance an area’s natural beauty, and the designation is made using statutory powers in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
In June 2021, Natural England announced an ambitious new programme to assess four areas for possible designation as National Landscapes. This includes the extension of two existing National Landscapes, the Surrey Hills and the Chilterns, and the consideration of two new areas, the Yorkshire Wolds and the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge.
The Surrey Hills National Landscape boundary has not been reviewed since its original designation in 1958 but there have been various calls locally to reconsider the boundary. Some areas of countryside outside but adjacent to the National Landscape boundary are designated as Areas of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) by local authorities in recognition of their value at a county level. Following a series of landscape evaluation studies and a formal request by the Surrey Hills National Landscape Board, Natural England began exploring whether certain areas adjacent to the Surrey Hills National Landscape should be included within the designation.
Progress so far
For a summary of progress on this project so far, please see the flow charts below.
In 2021 Natural England began work on the Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Boundary Review by conducting an early call for evidence that helped build an understanding of potential areas to extend the boundary. Our specialist landscape consultants then undertook technical assessments of the landscape, identifying distinct extension areas (see steps 1 to 4 of flow chart).
Statutory and Public Consultation (2023)
In 2023 Natural England held a statutory and public consultation for our proposed extension to the Surrey Hills National Landscape (step 5 of the flow chart). We have since reviewed the consultation responses. During our analysis work we revisited our initial assessments and undertook additional field work, especially where a review of the boundary was required. We have now produced a detailed analysis report which presents the findings of the consultation and analysis process (step 6 of the flow chart).
Of the 1518 responses, an overwhelming majority were supportive of the proposed extensions. Every proposed extension area attracted respondents who wished to comment on the detailed boundary and a small number of responses did not agree with the proposed extensions. You can find the consultation analysis report and analysis tables with accompanying figures below.
The evidence provided through the consultation process presented an opportunity to include additional land in the Surrey Hills and this has been reflected in the analysis tables and accompanying figures.
Further fieldwork has now been completed on an area of land to the west of the Surrey Hills National Landscape in East Hampshire (step 7 of the flow chart below). This land was highlighted through the consultation process as having the potential to qualify for designation.
Our revised proposals include:
- 27 additional areas as a result of boundary reviews
- 13 minor deletions of previous proposed boundary extensions as a result of boundary reviews
- 3 additional areas within East Hampshire as a result of an additional assessment
Why your views matter
We now wish to hear your views on the further proposed changes to the boundary and on the East Hampshire assessment we have undertaken and are therefore carrying out a second consultation. This consultation will run from the 17th September 2024 until the 10th December 2024, lasting 12 weeks.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on proposed boundary changes and whether the proposed areas in East Hampshire have the qualities required for inclusion within an AONB, whether they should be designated and whether the proposed boundaries are appropriate.
Further information is available within the technical documents listed below, which you can find via links on the next page:
- Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Boundary Variation Project Consultation Analysis Report and associated appendices 1-21 (July 2024). These documents contain a detailed analysis of responses and the reasons for our proposed changes;
- Second Consultation Index map and detailed maps -Figures 12b-29b;
- Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Boundary Variation Project East Hampshire Evaluation (Aug 2024). This document contains a detailed assessment of land in East Hampshire.
The second round of consultation will be limited to additions and deletions to the proposed extension areas, including the land in East Hampshire, which will be clearly identified within the documents that have been produced for the consultation. It will not be necessary to repeat responses that have already been submitted in the first round of consultation for a proposed extension area.
Before providing your response, please read the Consultation Document for this second consultation which provides further background and information on the revised proposals. You may then either provide a response via this online platform or request a paper copy of the response form to be posted to your address (please request by either emailing the project mailbox at: surreyhillsaonbboundaryreview@naturalengland.org.uk or telephoning the Enquiries Line at 0300 060 3900).
Consultation events
During the consultation, we will be holding three online webinars for statutory consultees, stakeholders and members of the public. The webinars will provide information about the project so far and to explain how you can participate in this second round of consultation. The three webinars will be at the following times:
Webinar 1 - 18th September, 14.00. Link to Eventbrite booking page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surrey-hills-national-landscape-aonb-boundary-variation-webinar-1-tickets-1007492706807
Webinar 2 - 19th September, 19.00. Link to Eventbrite booking page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surrey-hills-national-landscape-aonb-boundary-variation-webinar-2-tickets-1007498353697
Webinar 3 - 24th September, 10.00. Link to Eventbrite booking page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surrey-hills-national-landscape-aonb-boundary-variation-webinar-3-tickets-1007499647567
All webinars will cover the same content. Please click here to view a recording of the presentation for those that are unable to attend a webinar.
In addition, we will also be holding two face to face drop in events where you will be able to view the maps and reports and speak to a member of our team. We will be updating this page with more details on these two drop-in events shortly. Please note, that whilst the project team will be available to answer questions about the proposals and advise on how to respond to the consultation, we will not be collecting consultation responses at the events.
1st face-2-face all day drop-in event: Wednesday 6th November, 10.30am – 8pm at Liphook Millenium Centre, 2-10 Ontario Way, Liphook, GU30 7LD’
2nd face-2-face all day drop-in event: Tuesday 12th November, 10:30am – 6pm at Soper Hall Community Centre, 2 Harestone Valley Road, Caterham. CR3 6HY
Consultation Documents
All of the documents associated with this consultation are available to view or download from this website. Please click through to the next page to find these. If you would like to view a physical (hard copy) version, details of the locations these can be viewed and face to face events can be found further on in the survey.
How to get in touch
The consultation events provide an opportunity for attendees to understand the proposals in more detail and how to respond to the consultation, If you are not able to attend the events, have any further questions or would like to request a physical copy of the consultation document, please reach out to the project team via:
- Emailing the project mailbox at surreyhillsaonbboundaryreview@naturalengland.org.uk; or,
- Telephoning the Enquiries Lines at 0300 060 3900.
- Writing to us at: Meg Johannessen, Natural England, Seacole Building, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF
What happens next
After this second round of consultation finishes we will analyse the consultation responses (step 9), the proposals will be reviewed and where necessary, proposed boundaries amended to take account of any further relevant evidence received.
If no fundamental objections arise which cannot be overcome, and assuming no identified boundaries need to be altered as a result of the consultation, the next stage will be to draw up the draft Variation Order. A Variation Order consists of the legal documents required to vary an AONB boundary. Natural England will then publish the Variation Order in the London Gazette and other papers as required by Section 83(2) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Natural England Board approval will be sought for the draft Variation Order prior to publication of the Notice period (step 10).
The Notice Period allows anyone who wishes to do so to make representations to Natural England, objecting to, supportive of, or proposing amendments to the proposal, and stating the grounds on which they are made.
Following the Notice Period, a further period of response analysis will be undertaken, and any further consequent changes made to the draft legal Order (step 11). Natural England Board approval will then be sought to allow the Order to be finalised and submitted to the Secretary of State for confirmation (step 12). If there are any unresolved objections, these will be submitted to the Secretary of State with the Order, who has discretion to call a Public Inquiry, before deciding whether or not to confirm the Order.
It is important to note the Secretary of State may choose to confirm the Order, confirm with amendments, or reject the Order. It is not possible to say how long the Secretary of State's decision will take. The Secretary of State may also call a Public Inquiry to assist in their decision making in relation to whether the designation should be confirmed or not or amended. A Public Inquiry provides a further opportunity to explore any remaining unresolved objections to assist the Secretary of State in their decision making.
For more information, reports and access to the online survey, click here:
Events
-
Webinar 1
From 18 Sep 2024 at 14:00 to 18 Sep 2024 at 15:30Link to Eventbrite booking page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surrey-hills-national-landscape-aonb-boundary-variation-webinar-1-tickets-1007492706807
-
Webinar 2
From 19 Sep 2024 at 19:00 to 19 Sep 2024 at 20:30ink to Eventbrite booking page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surrey-hills-national-landscape-aonb-boundary-variation-webinar-2-tickets-1007498353697
-
Webinar 3
From 24 Sep 2024 at 10:00 to 24 Sep 2024 at 11:30Link to Eventbrite booking page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/surrey-hills-national-landscape-aonb-boundary-variation-webinar-3-tickets-1007499647567
-
All Documents and Maps are available to view at:
From 27 Sep 2024 at 12:00 to 10 Dec 2024 at 18:00Natural England Reading Office
6th Floor North Gate House
21-23 Valpy Street
Reading
RG1 1AF
To arrange an appointment to view documents at Natural England’s office please contact SurreyHillsAONBboundaryreview@naturalengland.org.uk
Surrey Hills National Landscape Offices
Surrey Hills Office
Warren Farm Barns
Headley Lane
Mickleham
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 6DG
To arrange an appointment to view documents at any of the Surrey Hills AONB office please contact SurreyHills@surreycc.gov.uk or phone 01372 220 653.
Local Planning Authority Offices
Guildford Borough Council
Council Office
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
To arrange an appointment to view documents at the Guildford Borough Council office please contact please call 01483 505 050.
Mole Valley District Council Planning Policy Team
Mole Valley District Council
Pippbrook
Reigate Road
Dorking
Surrey
RH4 1SJ
To arrange an appointment to view documents at the Mole Valley District Council office please contact please call 01306 885 001 and ask for David Webb or Marie Killip.
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 0SH
To arrange an appointment to view documents at the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council office please contact please call 01737 276 000.
Tandridge District Council
8 Station Road East
Oxted
Surrey
RH8 0BT
Information related to arranging viewings of documents at Tandridge to be confirmed.
Waverley Borough Council
Reception
The Burys
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1HR
To arrange an appointment to view documents at the Waverley Borough Council office please contact please call the Planning Department on 09876 547 224.
East Hampshire District Council
Monterey House
Bedford Road
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 3lJ
To arrange an appointment to view documents at the East Hampshire District Council office please contact please call Adam Harvey, Planning Policy Manager 01730 266 551.
Libraries
Guildford Library
77 North Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4AL
0345 600 9009
Please see the library website for opening hours.
Dorking Library
St Martin's Walk
Dorking
Surrey
RH4 1UT
0345 600 9009
Please see the library website for opening hours.
Redhill Library
Consort House
Redhill
Surrey
RH1 1NN
0345 600 9009
Please see the library website for opening hours.
Oxted Library
12 Gresham Road
Oxted
Surrey
RH8 0BQ
0345 600 9009
Please see the library website for opening hours.
Godalming Library
Bridge Street
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1HT
0345 600 9009
Please see the library website for opening hours.
Petersfield Library
27 The Square
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 3HH
Please see the library website for opening hours. -
Face to Face Drop-In event - Liphook
From 6 Nov 2024 at 10:30 to 6 Nov 2024 at 20:00Liphook Millenium Centre, 2-10 Ontario Way, Liphook, GU30 7LD’
-
Face to Face Drop-In event - Caterham
From 12 Nov 2024 at 10:30 to 12 Nov 2024 at 18:00Soper Hall Community Centre, 2 Harestone Valley Road, Caterham. CR3 6HY
Audiences
- Charities/Voluntary Organisations
- Environmental campaigners
- Animal welfare campaigners
- Food Business Operators
- Licensed Gangmasters
- Food Industry
- Vets
- Operators of animal gatherings
- Abattoir Operator
- Livestock show ground operators
- Manufacturers of livestock identifiers
- Government Departments
- Government Agencies
- Devolved Administrations
- National Park Authorities
- Recreation sector
- Aggregates sector
- Energy sector
- Industries and professional services
- Water/water Industry sector
- Angling Organisations and Trade
- Fishing Focus individual recipients
- Water Abstractors
- Environmental professional services
- Estate Agents
- House Building Industry
- Property Management
- Legal and Conveyancing Professions
- Households
- Local Authorities
- Non-Household Customers
- Consumer Groups
- Waste Producers and Handlers
- Business/Private Sector
- Policy Teams
- Pet Owners
- Pet Interest Groups
- Pet Carriers
- Transport Organisations
- Veterinarians
- Local Authorities
- Producer Compliance Schemes
- Waste Management Companies
- Electrical re-use organisations
- All Defra staff and ALBs
- Non-Government Organisation
- Retail Industry
- Manufacturing Industry
- Member of the General Public
- Landowners and their representative bodies
- Walkers
- Horse riders
- Families
- Students
- Farmers
- Fishermen
- SME businesses
- Energy suppliers
- Water suppliers
- Leisure industry
- Tourism industry
- Insurance industry
- Horticulture Industry
- Tenant Farmers
- Agricultural Landlords
- Agricultural Valuers
- Land Agents
- Trading Standards Officers
- Environmental Health Officers
- Professional and Membership Organisations/Agencies
- Public Bodies
- Consultants
- Stakeholders
Interests
- Natural environment
- Local nature partnerships
- Biodiversity
- Plants
- Animals
- Tree and plant health
- Climate change
- Green infrastructure
- Ecosystems services
- Deforestation
- Illegal logging
- Green economy
- Sustainable development
- Flooding
- Flood insurance
- Flood emergency
- Waste and recycling
- Water quality
- Air quality
- Water Bill
- Water conservation
- Bathing waters
- Sewerage
- Air pollution
- Ozone
- Chemicals and pesticides
- Noise
- Genetic Modification (GM)
- Local environments
- Resource Efficiency
- Pollution Sector
- Science
- Conservation
- Water Abstraction
- Holiday Accommodation
- Domestic Waste Water Systems
- House Building and Planning
- Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases
- Inland waterways
- Construction
- Watercourse maintenance
- Water Act
- Marine Conservation
- Consultations
- Impact Assessments
- DEFRA Policy
- Water Industry charging
- Water Industry licencing
- Policy and Delivery
- Disability Access
- Sustainable Fishing
- Bycatch
- Discarding
- Food labelling
- Food standards
- Egg industry
- Poultry industry
- Dairy industry
- Wine industry
- Protected food names
- Food imports
- Food and drink exports
- Cattle
- Pigs
- Poultry
- Sheep and goats
- Animal diseases
- Animal welfare
- Livestock identification and movement
- Growing and crops
- Bee health
- Farm management
- Single Payment Scheme (SPS)
- Cross compliance
- Common Agricultural Reform (CAP)
- Skills, education, training and new entrants
- Land management
- Nitrates and watercourses
- Environmental Stewardship
- Uplands
- Soil
- Forestry
- Retailers
- Livestock disease control
- Sheep, goat and deer production/marketing
- Meat Industry
- Access to countryside and coast
- Hunting with dogs
- Inland waterways
- Rural economy and communities
- Rural broadband
- Rural grants and funding
- Rural Development Programme for England
- Forestry
- National Parks
- Nature reserves
- Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Common land
- Conservation
- Towns and village greens
- Industry organisations representing tenant farmers and landlords
- Solicitors specialising in agricultural law
- Rural Properties
- Recreational sector
- Pets
- Horses
- Wildlife crime
- Wildlife management
- Protecting wildlife
- Non-native species
Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook