On this page you will find:
Purpose of the Designation
Consecutive Governments have recognised the value of protected landscapes. However, the pressures faced by AONBs have changed since their conception in the late 1940s. Natural England (formerly the Countryside Agency) is the national body with responsibility for designating AONBs. In 2001, a Countryside Agency publication4 stated:
The primary purpose of designation is the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty (which includes wildlife and cultural heritage, as well as scenery).
In pursuing the primary purpose of designation, account should be taken of the needs of agriculture, forestry, other rural industries and the social and economic needs of local communities.
Recreation is not an objective of the designation, but the demand for recreation should be met, in so far as this is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other land uses.
The designation helps to recognise not just the natural features – the trees, fields and open spaces – but also settlements and working environments that are unique characteristics of the countryside. The designation allows for the development of communities and economic activity including rural businesses, in ways that further enhances the character of the AONB.
Statutory Duties for Managing an AONB
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act)5 strengthened the profile and protection of AONBs. This protection was enhanced by changes to the CROW Act with the Levelling Up and Regeneration (LUR) Act 20236. In particular, the amended CROW Act now:
- Places a duty on all public bodies and statutory undertakers to further the purposes of AONBs.
- Establishes a process for creating AONB conservation boards, where this is supported locally.
- Creates a statutory responsibility for local authorities and conservation boards to produce and regularly review AONB Management Plans.
Isle of Wight AONB
The Isle of Wight AONB was designated in 1963, the fourteenth of the 46 areas to be confirmed. The total area designated is 191 square kilometres, which is approximately half the land surface of the Island. Unusually, the AONB area is not continuous and is made up of five distinct land parcels across the Island.
A detailed record of the original designation process was published in 20027. This sets out the reasons why areas that were put forward during the extensive consultation were either included or excluded The special qualities that led to designation are set out more fully in later chapters.