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Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designation is a national landscape designation that aims to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of landscape. The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949 made the wilder, more dramatic landscapes National Parks and the lower, more gentle scenery became Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. AONBs are equal in status to National Parks, and along with them they represent the nation's finest landscapes. However, AONBs tend to represent areas where opportunities for extensive outdoor recreation (an essential objective of National Parks), are lacking. AONBs are therefore created to meet the demands for recreation as far as this is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry, other rural industries and the local communities. There are local AONB partnerships in all AONBs led by local authorities and including a wide range of key organisations. These partnerships are dedicated to the conservation of these nationally important areas. There are 40 AONBs in England and Wales, and also 9 AONBs in Northern Ireland – and a further two (Erne Lakeland and Fermanagh Caveland) are proposed. Natural England (formerly the Countryside Agency) and the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) are responsible for formally designating AONBs and advising on policies for their protection in England and Wales. For more information about AONBs go to: |