Breadcrumbs
England's best loved countryside comes of age - 31 March 2004
Previously described as the 'Cinderella' of protected landscapes, England’s 37 AONBs cover some 15% of England, more than twice the land area in our national parks, and are recognised in law as being of equivalent landscape quality. The management plans, produced by local authorities in consultation with residents, landowners and businesses, will ensure that the environment, economy and community in these areas will be protected and enhanced.
The plans recognise that in these nationally important landscapes, emphasis must be placed on maintaining their natural beauty. Ideas from the plans include restoring and conserving key landscape features, maintaining famous viewpoints, improving information for visitors and encouraging them to enjoy the landscape and, in some cases, the food produced from it.
Pam Warhurst, acting chair of the Countryside Agency who takes up her new role today said: " England's landscape is an important national asset and is a cause of great national pride. These management plans, produced by local AONB units with guidance from the Countryside Agency, represent a coming of age for some of England's finest countryside . W orking with local people , t hey will provide both vision and action for the long-term protection of these distinctive landscapes.
"Effective conservation and enhancement of these landscapes brings benefit to us all, wherever we live, and offers opportunities to help regenerate rural economies, creat ing new jobs for local people and income for local businesses, including farmers and landowners.
"Local authorities , as key partners and supporters , are to be congratulated for their hard work in drawing up these management plans in partnership with local communities and organisations. The challenge remains to ensure they are translated into action to safeguard a sustainable future for England's finest countryside. AONBs are now poised to become beacons of sustainable development in the countryside,” Pam Warhurst concluded.
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Note to editors:
The Countryside Agency is responsible for designating AONBs and provides core funding. The s tatutory management plans are a requirement of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which charged local authorities with formulating policy for AONBs.
The Countryside Agency is the statutory body working to make the quality of life better for people in the countryside and the quality of the countryside better for everyone. www.countryside.gov.uk
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) cover 15% of England (20,393 sq km of 130,478 sq km), more than twice the land area in our national parks . The smallest is the Isles of Scilly, a mere 16 sq km, the largest is the Cotswolds totalling 2,038 sq km. There are eight national parks in England (including the Norfolk Broads). http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LivingLandscapes/finest_countryside/aonbs/
