Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), rebranded as National Landscapes in 2023, are nationally important protected landscapes designated under the National Parks and Access to Countryside Act 19493. The Isle of Wight AONB is 1 of 46 AONBs in Britain (33 wholly in England, 4 wholly in Wales, 1 which straddles the English/Welsh border and 8 in Northern Ireland) covering 18% of the countryside. Together with the National Parks they are designated in the national interest both for today and for future generations as examples of our finest countryside.
In planning terms AONBs are equivalent to National Parks and must be afforded the same level of consideration and protection.