Natural England

A Joint Advisory Committee for the Surrey Hills was established in 1998.  It consists of representatives from the six local authorities, the National Trust, the Countryside Agency and a range of advisory members.

The aim of the Joint Advisory Committee is to raise awareness of the special qualities of the Surrey Hills landscape and to set out in the Management Plan policies and actions to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area.

On behalf of the Joint Advisory Committee, the Surrey Hills Office is responsible for taking forward initiatives to protect the beauty of the Surrey Hills for the safe use and enjoyment of all.  The Office consists of an AONB Officer, Projects Manager, Marketing/Communications Officer and an Office Manager.  To find out more about the work of the partnership visit their website www.surreyhills.org

In 2004, the Joint Advisory Committee published a new AONB Management Plan to meet the requirements of the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000.  An electronic copy of the plan can be downloaded from the AONB website.

Extensive provision for AONBs is made in the Surrey Structure Plan.   The Plan states that 'the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is of national importance and will be subject to the most rigorous protection. Development inconsistent with the primary aim of conserving and enhancing the existing landscape character will not be allowed'. Other policies include a general presumption against development except for the essential needs of agriculture and forestry. Controls are placed on leisure use and the appropriate design and siting of permitted development.
 
It gives a commitment to greater positive countryside management including despoiled land improvements, grant aiding of tree planting and conservation schemes. It states that 'It also recognises the need to promote landscape diversity and distinctiveness' and refers to work on 'The Future of Surrey’s Landscape and Woodlands'. This document provides an assessment of landscape character and two companion strategies - the Landscape Strategy and Woodlands Strategy - which identify action programmes to conserve and enhance these resources.
 
Reflecting the huge potential threat of urban development in this AONB, the local plans of the five districts support the strict development control and environmental and recreational policies of the structure plan. 

A landscape assessment entitled The Surrey Hills landscape (CCP 530, £20.00) was published in 1998.