Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
Conservation Boards for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs)
Provision for designating Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) was made in Section 87 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. AONBs are designated by the Countryside Agency in England or by the Countryside Council for Wales. To take effect the designation must be confirmed by the Secretary of State, in England, or by the National Assembly for Wales. The purpose of the designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the areas concerned.
Part IV of the Act:
- Requires local authorities whose areas contain AONBs to prepare and publish a management plan for each AONB.
- Enables Conservation Boards to be created, by order, for individual AONBs where there is local support. Conservation Boards would take over responsibility for the management plan and other aspects of the management of the AONB from the local authorities.
- Places a duty on public bodies, Ministers, statutory undertakers and those holding public office, when doing anything so as to affect land in an AONB, to have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB.
- Consolidates the AONBs legislation from the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 in this Act, bringing it all together and updating various references.
Part IV requires the Secretary of State to consult the Countryside Agency and local authorities before establishing a Conservation Board, and she will only proceed if she is satisfied that the majority of authorities are in favour.
For more information about landscape conservation in National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, click here.
Consultation exercise
Consultations on the contents of Establishment Orders for the proposed Cotswolds and Chilterns AONB Conservation Boards are underway. This consultation closed on 30 May 2003.
For information about these consultations, including details of how to comment see either Chilterns AONB or Cotswolds AONB
Fact sheet
For general information about Part IV of the Act, see the fact sheet.
More about individual AONBs
The Countryside Agency's website has more information about the distinctiveness of each AONB.
Contact details
Sponsorship, Landscape & Recreation Division
Landscape Policy Team (CYD1)
Defra
Zone 1/04
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Bristol
BS1 6EB
Tel enquiries: 0117 372 6288
Fax: 0117 372 8250
E-mail: nationalparks.aonbs@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Page last modified: 17 May 2005