Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are now National Landscapes

All Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales have become National Landscapes from today (Wednesday 22 November).

South Devon, and the Tamar Valley.

The new name reflects the importance of these areas and aims to highlight their vital contribution to the environment across the country. In parallel, recent changes in legislation require local authorities and other public bodies to act in ways which will benefit these areas and improve their future management.

The designation is also seen as the next step in realising the vision for National Landscapes to be home to thriving, diverse communities that work with and for nature: restoring ecosystems, providing food, storing carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change, safeguarding against drought and flooding, while also nurturing people’s health and wellbeing.

Over the past two years, Devon’s five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have successfully distributed grants totalling £5.7 million for an exciting range of environmental projects. These initiatives have been positively received by farmers, enabling them to enhance soil quality, mitigate flood risks, and establish woodlands, hedgerows and flower-rich meadows, among other improvements.

AONBs in Devon have also delivered grants totalling £500,000 to enhance countryside accessibility across Devon, and each AONB is actively spearheading individual projects in their respective areas that prioritise the wellbeing of people, enhance biodiversity, and tackle climate concerns.

Councillor Andrea Davis, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said:

“We’re incredibly fortunate in Devon to be blessed with some beautiful countryside and coastline, and our National Landscapes are an important asset for local communities, visitors and our environment. We should be proud of the vast amount of work that the AONBs in Devon have undertaken over many years to restore and enhance our natural surroundings, and as National Landscapes they will continue to protect these special places for future generations. We want to ensure that our local environment is cared for sensitively while enabling people to make the most of it, whether it’s for their livelihood or enjoying it for their own health and wellbeing.”

By 2030, National Landscapes across England and Wales are aiming to create or restore 100,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which is twice the size of Cornwall. Around 36,000 hectares of woodland, which is slightly smaller than the Isle of Wight, will also be planted or allowed to regenerate.

National Landscapes partnerships will also focus on habitat restoration to ensure the protection of some of our most endangered species and increase their work to help more people to enjoy time spent in beautiful places.

The Blackdown Hills National Landscape was designated an AONB in 1991. It spans less than 15 miles in each direction on the Devon and Somerset border, but its unique geology means it is home to a wide variety of habitats.

Tim Youngs, Blackdown Hills National Landscape manager, said: “Becoming Blackdown Hills National Landscape reflects a step change in our work to protect and regenerate our landscape, with a focus on nature, climate, heritage, culture, and people.

“For example, through the multi-million pound Connecting the Culm partnership project, we are working with communities and businesses to help them become more resilient to climate change, especially flooding and drought, whilst providing benefits for biodiversity, carbon storage and water quality.”

The East Devon National Landscape has this year been marking its 60th anniversary as an AONB. It covers 103 square miles (268 sq kms), which is around 32% of the East Devon district area, and features a UNESCO World Heritage Site coastline – the Jurassic Coast – and other internationally important habitats and species.

Chris Woodruff, East Devon National Landscapes Manager, said: “Becoming National Landscapes will not only serve to raise awareness of these special places, it will help in focussing attention on the work we undertake in these areas in partnership with a wide range of organisations, farmers, landowners and local communities to conserve and enhance, enable access to and promote engagement with nature. Our national landscapes will be collectively recognisable across the UK as places and spaces dedicated to nature and connecting people with the landscape.”

The North Devon Coast National Landscape covers 66 sq miles (171 sq km) of mainly coastal landscape including special places such as Combe Martin, Lee Bay, Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton, Northam Burrows Country Park, Westward Ho!’s Pebble Ridge, the Hartland Peninsula and Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Jenny Carey-Wood, North Devon Coast National Landscape manager, said: “We welcome this new chapter in the story of the UK’s designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We are still the same beautiful places where we work together to create a thriving landscape for nature and for people. Our ambition is reflected in project work with partners and local communities. Finding Nature’s Footprints engages communities in wildlife surveys and nature recovery actions, Farming in Protected Landscapes grants invest in water quality, habitat creation and local heritage sites. We will continue to protect, conserve and enhance this special area for everyone.”

The South Devon National Landscape was designated an AONB in 1960. It features five estuaries and over 200 miles of rights of way.

Roger English, Manager of South Devon National Landscape, said: “As we become a National Landscape the team at South Devon is excited about continuing to implement a wide range of initiatives to deliver for nature and people in an increasingly challenging time for our protected landscapes.

“Our recent work leading the multi partner development phase of Life on The Edge to restore habitats for some of the UK’s rarest invertebrates, has demonstrated how we plan to make a difference with wider community involvement, landowners and farmers. Building on our successful track record we look forward to creating meaningful partnerships in the future and welcoming wider audiences to this special place.”

The Tamar Valley National Landscape is located on the Devon and Cornwall border. The area is famous for its mining heritage landscape, market gardening history, and is a haven for wildlife. It includes 77 sq miles (200 sq km) of hidden river valleys, estuaries and countryside, with a biodiversity value of £2billion.

Sarah Gibson, Tamar Valley National Landscape manager, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be named a National Landscape, which recognises the importance of our work to conserve and enhance our beautiful nature and heritage at the heart of Devon and Cornwall. Our powerful partnership works for nature, climate, place and people. It’s a unique area, 67% is farmed, 20% is woodland, it provides a gateway to Cornwall, Dartmoor National Park at the East, Plymouth Sound National Marine Park at the South, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site within its boundary.

“We celebrate and protect our nature, our wildlife, our heritage and our communities, we encourage adaptation to the changing climate, increases in biodiversity bringing more nature, we promote food resilience, and connect people with green and blue spaces offering a place to breathe and relax.

“Our National Landscape status will strengthen our ability to attract green finance investment as we channel funding and drive activities to benefit the area, to ensure it exists to provide a future for generations to come.”