Natural England

Legislation was passed in August 2004 to establish a Chilterns AONB Conservation Board as provided for in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.  The Conservation Board was established on the 14th December 2004, for the purposes of:

• conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB,
• increasing the understanding and enjoyment by the public of the special qualities of the AONB,
• seeking to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities within the AONB.     

The Conservation Board is led by 29 board members (made up of 15 local authority, 8 Secretary of State and 6 parish council members).  The Board became operational on the 1st February 2005.  It is anticipated that the Conservation Board will set up an executive steering group to effectively manage the AONB partnership.  An accord between the Board and the local authorities will identify which local authority duties will transfer to the Conservation Board.  For further information on the work of the Chilterns Conservation Board and the AONB visit their website www.chilternsaonb.org.

In 2002 the Chilterns Shadow Conservation Board published a Management Plan, 'A Framework for Action 2002-2007' which succeeded the earlier Plan for the Chilterns dated 1994.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide detailed guidance on policy and action to all of the Conservation Board members, and other relevant bodies.  The Plan sets out a strategic vision for the AONB and how that vision should be achieved.  It also introduces the AONB landscape, its designation and planning pressures, and presents issues and recommendations on landscape, nature conservation, historic, built and water environment, people, jobs and services, farming and forestry, minerals and waste disposal, recreation and access and travel and transport.  An electronic version of the management plan can be viewed on the Conservation Board's website.

Statutory policies   

All county authorities include protective AONB references in their structure plans, including controls on mineral extraction and residential, road and communications development, which are supported at district council level.  The following extracts are examples of structure plan policies:

Buckinghamshire Structure Plan states that 'special attention will be paid to the conservation and enhancement of scenic beauty and wildlife interest in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  There is a presumption against any development likely to damage the special character and appearance of the Chilterns AONB.'

Bedfordshire Structure Plan states that ' the local planning authorities will support the following broad policies for the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as set out in 'A Plan for the Chilterns'.  These policies aim to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB as the prime consideration; encourage agriculture to prosper; manage woodland and to perpetuate a healthy broadleaved forest; limit leisure provision to places of special importance; give high priority to wildlife conservation; proposals for development, mineral extraction or waste disposal in the AONB will be subject to a most rigorous examination'.

There is no overall AONB countryside service.  Management is undertaken on a county basis by local authorities, primarily county councils. In Buckinghamshire, the County Council runs the Chilterns Project which operates alongside the Wycombe District Ranger Service. Oxfordshire County Council Countryside Services concentrates on public rights of way and provides the management base for the Ridgeway and Thames Path National Trails. Hertfordshire Countryside Management Service is supported by both the County Council and District Councils. In Bedfordshire the County Council supports ranger services on its own sites, and The North Chilterns Trust works in and around Luton and Dunstable.
 
The Chilterns Woodland Project was set up in 1983 by the Chilterns Society. It continues as an independent trust, employing a manager who offers management advice to owners of small woodlands and other bodies.
 
A number of projects have been initiated or supported by the Chilterns Shadow Conservation Board.  Examples include the hugely successful chalk streams and red kites projects; Trans National Woodland Industries Group; the integrated access demonstration project and the Chilterns Traffic Managers Group.  Other significant reports and initiatives include design guides for buildings and Conservation and Building Design Awards.