Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Variation Project Second Consultation

Overview

Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Boundary Variation Project – 2^nd Consultation

This is the webpage for the 2^nd consultation for the Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Boundary Variation Project which is now closed. The consultation ran from September to December 2024. All information and documents related to the project and consultation can be found below, including the analysis report for the 2^nd consultation.

*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 a new landscape designation programme which included a review of the Surrey Hills National Landscape boundary and the consideration of a new Yorkshire Wolds designation.

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.

Further information

Steps 1-4

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).

Steps 5-7

In 2023 Natural England held the 1st statutory and public consultation for our proposed extension to the Surrey Hills National Landscape (step 5 of the flow chart). During our analysis work we revisited our initial assessments and undertook additional field work, especially where a review of the boundary was required. We subsequently produced a detailed analysis report which presented the findings of the consultation analysis and additional assessment of areas in East Hampshire (step 6 and 7 of the flow chart).

Steps 8 & 9

The evidence provided through the 1^st consultation process presented strong arguments to include additional land in the Surrey Hills and this was reflected in the analysis tables, accompanying figures and changes to our proposals.  Following the decision to add further land to the proposal a second round of consultation was required in accordance with our duties under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

The 2^nd consultation was launched with stakeholders invited to provide a response on the changes to our proposals, including further additions, minor deletions and new land in East Hampshire (step 8 of the flow chart). The consultation ran from the 17^th of September to the 10^th of December.

We received over 375 responses to the 2^nd consultation, the vast majority of which were supportive of the proposals. Each proposed addition and deletion attracted respondents who wished to comment.

Analysis of responses received during 2^nd consultation  has since been undertaken (step 9 of the flow chart). During the 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 analysis. You can find the 2^nd consultation analysis report and accompanying figures below.

Why your views matter

What happens next

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 will then plan and proceed with a formal period of Notice (referred to as the Notice Period). 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 (step 10 of the flow chart).

Following the Notice period, a further period of response analysis will be required, and any consequent changes made to the draft designation Order.  Natural England will then proceed with preparing documentation for the making and submitting of an Order to the Secretary of State for confirmation (step 11 of the flow chart).

If there are any unresolved objections, these would be submitted to the Secretary of State with the Order.  The Secretary of State has the discretion to call a Public Inquiry to assist in their decision making, and to consider such objections further, before deciding whether or not to confirm the Order. 

The Secretary of State may, or may not, confirm the Order, with or without amendment.  This decision is not made to any specific timescale.  Any designation would not come into effect unless, and until, confirmed by the Secretary of State (step 12 of the flow chart).