Category: Board

In collaboration with the charity Migrant Help, the Surrey Hills National Landscape has brought together a group of displaced families to reconnect through powerful woodland experiences in the beautiful Surrey Hills. This included a day-long kite-making event delivered by Hedges & Hurdles Country Skills & Crafts, an organisation with expertise in running heritage skills activities. 

The day was not just about crafting kites. It became a celebration of heritage and togetherness, offering these families an opportunity to engage in traditional cooking over a fire – an experience many of them had not enjoyed for a long time.  

The aim of the session was to welcome these families into the Surrey Hills and help them feel a sense of safety and belonging, to protect the stunning landscape that brings peace for so many people. The day also gave a chance for the families to connect, forming new bonds that will hopefully last a lifetime. 

Participants of the day shared their feedback. 

“The various activities which we have done were amazing and enabled us to utilise our hidden skills. Honestly, after almost 18 years I tried to make a big Pakistani-style kite which was fabulous and worked.” 

“Thank you to everyone who prepared this program for us. It was good, especially for the children, to enjoy a day outside the hotel and the repeated environment here, to experience playing, doing group work and having fun.” 

Lorraine from Hedges & Hurdles Country Skills & Crafts said. 

“We were delighted to welcome 16 families to our outdoor woodland studio on a lovely sunny day. The team enjoyed engaging with everyone, demonstrating heritage skills, and creating memories everyone can cherish. Surrey Forest School invited the youngest of the children into their space whilst the older children and adults joined Lizzy and I in making Kites and Willow Crafts. Both men and women joined Debbie in cooking up a delicious tagine with couscous and salad for lunch while others chatted while cooking flatbreads on an open fire. We learned that this was the first time the families have had the opportunity to cook for themselves since coming to the UK, something most of us are lucky to do every day, this was a humbling experience. 

The afternoon was filled with more joy, Paul demonstrated how he cleaved chestnut stakes and enjoyed a game of cricket with some of the group too. We made some beautiful Flower Crowns which I believe are proudly displayed in the hotel rooms where the families are living, they were very proud of their creations. The grand finale was kite flying, despite the lack of wind, we enjoyed the thrill of launching our kites into the air. Thank you to the Surrey Hills National Landscape for making this event possible.” 

We have continued our partnership with Migrant Help, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a visit to the Surrey Hills Wood Fair. The event provided a full day of exploration, celebrating woodland heritage, music, adventure, and more. 

Looking to the future, Surrey Hills National Landscape is collaborating with Surrey’s Down to Earth team to create planters for the families’ outdoor spaces. This upcoming initiative will teach the families how to build their own planters and give the opportunity to experience the joys of growing their own food.  

Humaira, Community Liaison Coordinator at Migrant Help said. 

“When I first heard of the kite-making event, I thought it would be perfect for the families. All of them have so many creative skills that they are unable to use in the hotel but coming out to the Surrey Hills and making kites, cooking food, playing cricket and making headdresses gave them the opportunity to showcase their skills and remind themselves that they are more than just asylum seekers. A lot felt like they were back in their home country, making kites with friends and cooking with family, so it truly gave them a sense of peace and joy.  

It was so refreshing for all of us to see nature at its peak and seeing the families connect with nature, walking on grass barefoot, going on long walks and seeing the views. Many of them are in constant stress and anxiety but almost all came back to me and said this day gave them a chance to forget about their worries, to be with nature and feel calm.  

I am so grateful to Lorraine (Hedges and Hurdles), Rob (Surrey Hills National Landscape) and the whole team for together organising these wonderful events. I cannot wait to collaborate on further activities and to continuously improve the lives of these families.” 

This program is a testament to the power of nature, culture, and community coming together to provide a haven of safety, belonging, and joy for families who need it the most. This project is part of a wider programme connecting underserved communities with nature, supported by DEFRA. See our current projects here. 

Watch our short video here. 

Thank you to everyone who has taken part in the Surrey Hills Boundary Review process so far! We’re delighted that Natural England has now proposed even more land to be included in the Surrey Hills National Landscape, which could increase its size by 30%. This exciting new proposal is a major step forward in creating a bigger, better-connected Surrey Hills, and now Natural England needs your feedback on these additional areas. 

Allison Potts, Nature England Area Deputy Director said: 

“If the proposed areas are added to the Surrey Hills National Landscape, this could bring many benefits including conserving and enhancing the natural and cultural heritage, as well as the views and beauty of the area. It will give improved access to nature for the benefit of people’s health and wellbeing whilst boosting economic growth and local tourism and safeguard a nationally important landscape for future generations. All on the doorstep of London.” 

Natural England are also running some information sessions across September and October, which are in the link below. 

To submit your views, click here. 

The consultation will remain open for 12 weeks (as of 17 September 2024). 

Read Natural England’s press release here.

Three traditional finger posts have been created and installed around Chipstead, a picturesque village nestled within the Surrey Hills National Landscape. These signs, meticulously crafted by local artisan Marc Slegg reflect the rich history and rural character of the area, enhancing the community’s sense of place and rural identity.

The creation of these signs was funded by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL, developer contributions from new development in the area) and the installation by the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

The Surrey Hills National Landscape, known for its stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage, attracts thousands of visitors each year.

John Stephenson, Chipstead Village Preservation Society said. “We are delighted with these replacement signs that reflect our village’s rich rural character. The new signs not only aid in navigation but also enhance the resident and visitor experience by providing a deeper connection to the local history and environment.”

Cllr Rich Michalowski, Executive Member for Place, Planning and Regulatory Services at Reigate & Banstead Borough Councill, said “This project is a great example of how CIL funding can be used to demonstrate the power of local craftsmanship and heritage in shaping a community’s identity. These signs are more than functional objects; they are symbols of a shared past and a collective commitment to preserving the beauty and history of our village for future generations.”

Rob Fairbanks, Surrey Hills National Landscape Director states “This is part of a broader initiative to maintain and enhance the rural character of the Surrey Hills using local contractors, local material and developing green and heritage skills with our Surrey County Council’s Youth Opportunity Team who helped to install the signs”.

Councillor Luke Bennett, (Surrey County Councillor for Banstead, Woodmansterne, Chipstead) was instrumental in helping this project across the line, bringing multiple stakeholders together and gaining the necessary permissions from Surrey Highways / Surrey County Council. Commenting, Luke said: “This project to replace the traditional ‘fingerpost’ signs throughout the village has been a great example of what can be achieved through teamwork. Thanks go to John Stephenson of the CVPS for persevering with the project and my Borough Councillor colleagues from Reigate & Banstead (Cllrs Dwight, Cllr Parnall and Cllr Newton (who recently succeeded our former colleague Cllr Neame) – all of whom ensured the project gained the necessary CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding. These aesthetically pleasing traditional looking signs are key to Chipstead’s character and village atmosphere”.

Whether you are an avid bird watcher, hiker, horse rider, cyclist, or a lover of scenic views, National Landscapes are at the heart of creating a thriving place for nature and people.

2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the 1949 National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act which was the foundation for our Protected Landscapes. National Parks and National Landscapes can do so much to help us deal with the impacts of climate change and support nature recovery. 

On Wednesday 24 April, the Surrey Hills National Landscape welcomed Julian Glover, Chair of The Landscapes Review, to Denbies Wine Estate to celebrate the Act and share his vision for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as National Landscapes.  

Julian Glover 

“I’m so excited about the way our new National Landscapes are going to make England’s countryside greener, healthier, and happier for all of us. With the right backing they can do so much more for people and nature too so it’s uplifting to see Surrey’s National Landscape leading the way” 

Julian launched the campaign ‘Postcards from the Future’, where the Surrey Hills Board needs you to share your thoughts on what a thriving National Landscape should be like in 75 years. This initiative aligns with long-term Surrey Hills projects such as tree and hedgerow planting, veteran tree safeguarding, heritage building conservation and heathland and downland restoration. This forward-looking vision will serve as a guide for the upcoming Surrey Hills Management Plan (2025 – 2030), shaping the policies that local authorities will adopt to conserve and enhance this remarkable landscape.  

Kathy Atkinson, Chair of the Surrey Hills Board said. 

“It’s sometimes hard to fathom what as individuals we can do in the face of global threats such as climate change, and nature depletion. Our Postcards from the Future campaign is a way for everyone who cares for the Surrey Hills to make a difference, by having a say in how this amazing landscape will evolve over the remainder of our lifetimes and beyond.  

We want to distil the courage and ambition shown by those early countryside campaigners, and the politicians and legislators who agreed with them, and map out a collective vision for the Surrey Hills which recognises that this area will change over the coming decades, in ways that we cannot control as well as through careful stewardship. This land has been managed (and not managed) in a wide variety of ways over thousands of years. Generations have lived, worked, and farmed here; visitors from near and far have cherished the Surrey Hills for more than a century as a place to recharge and refresh during precious leisure time. 

By thinking about ourselves in this rich history and looking ahead into a future that we want to help shape, your postcard from the year 2100 will help us map out a journey towards a landscape that will inevitably change, but not by accident or through a lack of vision. So please tell us what you think this landscape should look, smell, sound and feel like in another 75 years, given global and local trends. We want our plan to be ambitious and brave, because we all need a Surrey Hills that is healthy and resilient, for nature and for people.” 

Submit your Postcard from the Future via the link below and become a part of shaping the next chapter for the Surrey Hills. Campaign closes on 31 July. 

Submit your Postcard from the Future here. 

Today, [Wednesday 22 November] all designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England and Wales are becoming National Landscapes, including the Surrey Hills National Landscape. The new name reflects their national importance; the vital contribution they make to protect the nation from the threats of climate change, nature depletion and the wellbeing crisis, whilst also creating greater understanding and awareness for the work that they do.

This is a significant milestone for the UK and the next step in fully realising the National Landscapes’ vision to be the leading exemplars of how thriving, diverse communities can work with and for nature in the UK: restoring ecosystems, providing food, storing carbon to mitigate the effects of climate change, safeguarding against drought and flooding, whilst also nurturing people’s health and wellbeing.

The Surrey Hills National Landscape was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1958, the second to be designated in the country. It covers around a quarter of Surrey, the most wooded county in England, and is situated within the London Metropolitan Greenbelt with 1.5 million people living within 10km of the landscape. With rising national pressures regarding climate change, the biodiversity emergency the mental health crisis, the Surrey Hills as a National Landscape will better protect precious habitats such as heathland, downland and woodland which are home to important species, as well as providing space for people and nature to thrive.

Kathy Atkinson, Chair of the Surrey Hills National Landscape says:

“There’s often a healthy scepticism around talk of “re-branding” and people might reasonably ask, “What’s the point?” in calling the Surrey Hills a National Landscape instead of an ‘AONB’.

Firstly, the legal status of the Surrey Hills as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is unchanged. This amazing area retains the same protections in law as a National Park. As set out by the Glover review in 2019, AONBs are fragmented, misunderstood and often see even greater pressures with less resource. Glover recommended not only a renaming of ‘AONBs’ to National Landscapes, but the power which could follow in terms of a strengthened network, with increased funding, governance reform, and new shared purposes to help us fight against the challenges our protected landscapes may face.

We need to use this rebrand as a step change to how we connect with our protected landscapes. To excite and engage the widest possible public in the task of protecting the Surrey Hills, a cherished landscape that is under threat like never before. This is a critical decade for our natural world, and National Landscapes brings the opportunity to collectively reduce the impact of substantial threats from a National and localised perspective. So, I urge everyone to embrace our National Landscapes vision as a tool to help us support a healthy and thriving landscape, for nature and for people.”

Read the National press release here.

The UK Government’s proposal to allow the conversion of agricultural buildings to houses represents a significant threat to the beauty and rural economy of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), according to the Chair of the AONB Board. The Surrey Hills was designated in 1958 and, like every AONB in the country, has the same levels of protection as a National Park. It is a highly valued landscape appreciated by millions of people in Surrey, London and nationally.

The Government’s proposal to allow the extension of what are known as Permitted Development Rights, would give free rein for landowners to convert rural buildings into houses without having to go through the usual planning approval system. It could result in agricultural buildings, stables, rural workshops, farm shops, and tourist accommodation being converted into new housing whilst doing virtually nothing to meet affordable housing needs in the Surrey Hills.

Kathy Atkinson, Chair of the Surrey Hills Board comments.

“Planning decisions shape not only the physical character but also the nature and biodiversity of the Surrey Hills. We all agree that more affordable housing is needed right across the South East of England, but this latest proposal by the government is not the mechanism to deliver it. It also risks jeopardising the rural economy for businesses who rely on rural premises.

Everyone who lives and works in the Surrey Hills is familiar with the housing pressures here, and the sky-high costs of both housing and commercial premises. Turning agricultural buildings that may serve a whole range of functions into what are most likely to be exclusive, luxury homes, to be sold at price points way out of reach of most of Surrey’s residents, flies in the face of the whole purpose of designating the Surrey Hills as a nationally protected landscape.”

The potential impact of the proposed changes to Permitted Development Rights (PDR) was presented to the Surrey Hills Board AGM at Box Hill on 13^th September, by the Surrey Hills Planning Officer, Clive Smith. Clive explained,

“It’s important to understand that there is not a ban on converting agricultural buildings, even now. Anyone wishing to convert their buildings into housing must go through the normal planning process. It is in the public interest that applications for conversions continue to be given the consideration they deserve, given the nationally protected status of the Surrey Hills. We are sympathetic to farmers and landowners who wish to convert their buildings, provided such conversions do not conflict with national and local planning policy.”

We encourage responses to the Government consultation by the deadline of 25^th September 2023. The consultation link can be found here.

The full Surrey Hills submission can be found here.