VV_Web DEC 19

CHILTERN AONB
& NATIONAL
PARK STATUS
Dear Village Voice,
Since 1965, the Chilterns have been formally
recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty (AONB), protected by certain levels of
conservation. Whilst this designation has
provided some degree of protection in the
Chilterns, in some instances, it has proved
insufficient in preserving the landscape to the
highest degree...
Obtaining National Park status would
enhance the protection of the Chilterns for the
future, facilitating the development of a strategy
on the conservation and development of the
region, as well as its accessibility for a wider
audience.
I developed this idea some time ago and
wrote to MP’s and councils in the AONB to
canvas their opinion.
We had the news that the Government was
launching a review to consider the future of
National Parks and AONB’s, grounded on the
belief that the system of national landscapes in
England is a key aspect of the nation’s
wellbeing. This was highly welcome.
In September, the final report of the
Landscapes Review was published. Led by
Julian Glover, this report included the
recognition that there is very strong merit in the
request for National Park status for the Chilterns
AONB, and that the area is an ‘obvious choice
for National Park status.’
As the first person to question what further
enhancements, such as National Park status,
could be obtained to maintain and protect the
Chilterns, I very much hope the Government
will progress these recommendations
immediately, providing an extra means of
protection to our fragile countryside.
The Chilterns continue to be put under an
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Village Voice December 2019/January 2020
immense strain, largely from the threat of
development. It is imperative that the necessary
safeguards are in place to enhance the Chilterns
landscape and to prevent its unnecessary
destruction.
The biggest threat currently facing the
Chilterns is the construction of HS2, which is
already permanently blighting large parts of
Buckinghamshire.
Already mature trees have been felled, bird
nests destroyed, and local ecosystems disrupted.
Of particular concern is the rare chalk
streams within the Chilterns landscape, already
degrading at an alarming pace, that threaten to
be seriously damaged by HS2 construction
works. These are precious streams and of high
environmental significance, providing a rich
habitat for wildlife and acting as an integral part
to local biodiversity.
Further protections on the Chiltern
Landscapes obtained through National Park
status would provide the much needed
conservation required to ensure the survival and
development of the landscape and our
biodiversity.
The Chilterns are an obvious candidate for
receiving National Park status; I hope the
Government makes use of these
recommendations to enable the conservation of
this beautiful area. Dame Cheryl Gillan MP
The difference between AONBs and National
Parks (via https://naturenet.net): AONBs and
National Parks are actually of equal importance
for landscape and scenic beauty, the difference is
that AONBs exist for the purpose of conserving
and enhancing their natural beauty. National
Parks, in addition to this, have a second purpose -
to promote understanding and enjoyment of the
area's special qualities by the public. Because of
this extra (and substantial) layer of responsibility
they have their own independent National Park
authorities with full planning powers running
them. There are other more subtle differences. The
National Parks conservation and enhancement
purpose specifically includes "wildlife and cultural
heritage". Nowhere in AONB legislation is cultural
heritage covered.
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