- Proposals to extend Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Parts of Essex to be recognised for its natural beauty for
the first time
- Public invited to have a say on new protections
Parts of Essex and new parts of Suffolk could be recognised as an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) for the first time
under plans outlined today.
Natural
England has put forward proposals to extend
the Suffolk Coast and Heaths
AONB, the first extension since it was designated in 1970.
The move would see approximately 15 square miles brought within
the protected area, including the Stour Estuary, Samford Valley
and Freston Brook Valley, increasing the AONB by nearly 10% - a
size equivalent to 3,800 international rugby pitches.
The UK’s 46 AONBs represent some of country’s finest countryside,
spanning from Cornwall to the North Pennines, offering a wealth
of opportunities for both people and wildlife to benefit from the
countryside.
Interim Chief Executive of Natural England Marian Spain said:
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty represent some of the
country’s most valued landscapes, designated to conserve and
enhance natural beauty.
The extension of Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB would ensure
magnificent estuary, valley and woodland views in this part of
Suffolk and Essex are given added protection. The support and
input from the public and stakeholders has been vital in
developing these plans, and we look forward to working closely
together as we hopefully see them become a reality.
Included in the proposed extension are:
- The Stour Estuary including much of the estuary itself, the
northern estuary valley slopes at Brantham and the majority of
the southern estuary valley slopes between Mistley and Parkeston
- The Samford Valley, a tributary of the Stour Estuary, which
extends further inland from the existing AONB boundary at Stutton
Bridge and includes some areas of neighbouring Shotley Peninsula
Plateau; and
- The Freston Brook Valley, a tributary of the Orwell Estuary
which extends inland from the existing AONB boundary westwards
and includes surrounding plateau woodlands. The move would bring
significant benefits to the local area, enabling local businesses
and tourist sites to promote the area as an AONB and access
relevant grants.
The proposals come as leads the government’s
ongoing review into protected
landscapes, the first evaluation in 70 years of whether
England’s National Parks and AONBs meet the nation’s needs in the
21st century and whether there is scope for the current network
to expand.
The designation would also complement existing wildlife
management measures in the area, with the Stour Estuary
designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and a
special area of conservation (SAC).
Copies of the draft order to designate these areas, including
maps of the areas affected, have been made available for public
inspection locally. A notice period will run from 12 February
2019 to 22 March 2019 where the public can respond to proposals,
before the designation can be formally confirmed, amended or
rejected by Environment Secretary .
About the designation:
Natural England has a power under the Countryside and Rights of
Way (CRoW) Act 2000 to designate land as an AONB if it meets the
statutory designation criterion of outstanding natural beauty.
A comprehensive consultation process ran for a three month period
from 26 January to 20 April 2018. The statutory consultees are
local authorities with land in the proposed extensions and those
with land in the existing SC&H AONB. In line with good
practice, Natural England decided to widen the consultation to
engage with stakeholders and the wider public.
During the Notice Period, copies of the draft Order will be
available for public inspection for 28 working days between 9.30
and 16.30 Mondays to Fridays: in the following locations:
- Natural England offices in Cambridge and Norwich,
- Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
office
- Manningtree, Harwich, Ipswich and Capel St Mary libraries
(see their websites for opening hours).
- The documents are also available for download online
