Natural England has announced that it will explore a ‘boundary extension’ to the Chilterns AONB in areas such as Slough, Hemel Hempstead and Luton, “taking into account” an application made by the Chilterns Conservation Board (CCB) in 2013 and proposals set out in the landscapes review – the ‘Glover Review’ – an independent review commissioned by the Government.

The proposal submitted by the CCB in 2013 called for Natural England to initiate the formal process of assessing potential new areas to include in the Chilterns AONB.

Natural England said it will also work with the CCB, local authorities and other stakeholders to “jointly consider new management and governance arrangements to support the improved conservation, understanding and enjoyment of the Chilterns landscape”.

A spokesman added: “The Chilterns is home to many vibrant and growing communities. An extension to the Chilterns AONB would provide direct access to high-quality natural environments from many urban areas such as Luton, Hemel Hempstead and Slough.

“Newly designated land would provide people living in these areas with greater opportunities to access to the countryside, benefit from the tranquillity it provides and get away from the pressures of everyday life.

“Today’s announcement is equally important for Chilterns’ wildlife and habitats. With its globally rare chalk streams, wildflower-rich chalk grassland and prehistoric settlements – including Bronze and Iron Age hillforts – extending the boundaries of the AONB provides opportunities for a more strategic approach to caring for the special features of the Chilterns’ that are currently outside the protected area.”

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But the plans could impact people wanting to build on their own land, or extend or alter their homes, since being designated as an AONB affects which planning policies – national and local – apply to the land in question.

According to the CCB, designating land as an AONB can affect permitted development rights – the types of building and other work that can be undertaken without needing to apply for planning permission.

In its online FAQs, it writes: “Note that most of the land that was indicated for illustrative purposes in the 2013 proposal is already affected by restrictive planning policies, most notably those relating to the Green Belt.

“In many respects, Green Belt is a more rigid planning policy, which is intended to keep undeveloped land open except for certain carefully defined land uses, to manage the growth of towns and cities. Much of the Chilterns AONB already overlaps with Green Belt.”

The CCB also says the option of making the Chilterns into a National Park is still possible, although a decision will not be made until the government has “considered fully and responded to the recommendations in the landscapes review”, as this could have implications for what it means to be a National Park and how National Parks are chosen.

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A spokesman said: “While the Glover Review recommended that the Chilterns be designated a National Park, it also expressed the view that there may be alternative means to achieve similar or better outcomes for this protected landscape in the 21st Century.”

They added: “Our understanding is that the Government has therefore chosen to focus now on exploring improvements that can contribute to protecting landscapes such as the Chilterns, without pre-judging the outcome of deliberations on implementing the Glover Review’s recommendations on National Parks.”

The CCB also said while there is no published timetable for the government to give its response to the Glover Review or to formally consider the case for the Chilterns to be re-designated as a National Park, it has confirmed it will respond to the review’s recommendations in full later this year.

The views of anyone who lives in the Chilterns will be heard, the CCB confirmed, adding: “However, the decision to designated new areas of AONB is made on the basis of whether the land meets the criteria for designation, which is assessed objectively by Natural England, and, ultimately, whether the relevant Secretary of State considers that the land should be designated as an AONB.

“No individual has a power of veto over the decision.”

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The Chilterns AONB was designated in 1965 and covers 833 sq km (326 sq miles) stretching from Goring, in Oxfordshire, to near Hitchin, in Hertfordshire.

Home and workplace to more than 80,000 people, it is the third largest AONB in England and is designated as one of the finest landscapes in the country. 

Dr Elaine King, Chief Executive Officer at the CCB, said: “We are delighted that Natural England has chosen to consider our proposal for the Chilterns AONB to be increased in size.

“This is an exciting chapter in our history, which will help bring more people closer to nature and increase opportunities for recreation and enjoyment of this special landscape.

“We are also excited at the opportunity to explore new and innovative approaches by which we can tackle the impacts of climate change, reverse declines in nature, support our local businesses and improve people’s wellbeing and access to our special landscapes.

“This is even more important as we all work to recover from the impacts of the Covid pandemic.”

Chairman of Natural England Tony Juniper said: “Today’s announcement signals an ambitious step forward in growing our family of precious national landscapes, as well as protecting and improving the ones we have.”

To find out more, see the full CCB FAQ at www.chilternsaonb.org/assets/images/CCB%20FAQs%20FINAL24June2021.pdf

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