Surrey Hills AONB boundary review update

The Surrey Hills needs your help this new year 

In December 2021, Natural England kicked off the first phase of the Surrey Hills boundary review by asking for your engagement. It is looking to gather evidence within the evaluation areas identified* to help inform the decision to whether the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) boundaries should be extended into adjacent areas to the AONB. 

So far, there has been brilliant engagement on the evidence gathering platform, with the public submitting their evidence within these evaluation areas. In December, we encouraged all our communities to get involved. 

Heather Kerswell, Chair of the Surrey Hills AONB Board said: 

Were you able to get out over Christmas and think about the landscapes you think are noteworthy enough to be included as a national asset in the new Surrey Hills designation? I know lots of the public, parish councils, and local groups such as bird groups are on the case already – well done all! Whether eventually included by Natural England in the extended area or not it will be invaluable to have a record of these places. Keep them coming! 

This evidence gathering stage continues until the 31 January 2022, so we are asking for your involvement to help Natural England inform the next stage in their process by submitting your images and evidence.

You can do so by visiting the website here.

After the 31 January, the responses provided will inform and complement further research and survey work to complete the evaluation of natural beauty and the desirability of extending the AONB as required by Natural England.  There will be opportunities to provide feedback on the emerging picture between February and March.  This is expected to lead to proposals for an extension to the AONB being the subject of a formal statutory and public consultation later in the year. 

We welcome your participation to contribute your knowledge in helping Natural England with evidence in the decision-making process. 

*Other adjacent areas with a particularly compelling case may also be considered. Find the map of evaluation areas here.