Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report

Screening of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2008-2013 for Appropriate Assessment – Baseline Report

1. Executive Summary

1.1 The purpose of this report is to determine whether there is a need to carry out a full Appropriate Assessment of the Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-13.

1.2 This report considers potential impacts arising from the AONB Management Plan alone and in combination with other plans, and with respect to the European sites’ conservation objectives. The sites in question are all, in this case, Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

1.3 Production of the AONB Management Plan is a statutory duty of the Conservation Board under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The plan outlines the Board’s policies for the management of the AONB and fulfilment of its statutory purposes which are:

a. To conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB; and b. to increase the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the AONB.

1.4 The SACs potentially affected by the AONB Management Plan are as follows:

• Aston Rowant • Chilterns Beechwoods (a composite of 9 sites) • Hartslock Wood • (outside the AONB) • Little Wittenham (outside the AONB)

1.5 All policies and proposals in the AONB Management Plan have been screened and it is considered that there are no significant environmental effects on the SACs within or in close proximity to the AONB. Consequently, a full appropriate assessment of the plan is not required.

1 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report 2. Introduction

2.1 The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended by The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007) require (Regulation 48) that a competent authority shall make an appropriate assessment of the implications for European sites in view of the sites’ conservation objectives. The purpose of this Baseline Report is to ensure that the Management Plan 2008-13 and its policies have no significant environmental impact on sites of European Interest.

2.2 The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 places a duty on Conservation Boards to produce a plan which outlines their policies for the management of the AONB and how they will carry out their functions in relation to it. Management plans must be reviewed at least every five years.

2.3 The previous management plan for the Chilterns AONB, The Framework for Action 2002 – 2007 has now been reviewed, forming the basis for the draft Management Plan 2008 – 2013.

2.4 The Plan sets out broad aims for the management of the AONB. Policies and actions within the Plan outline how these aims will be achieved by the Board and other parties with an interest in the AONB. In formulating the policies and actions within the Plan the Board seeks to fulfil its two statutory purposes which are:

a. to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB; and b. to increase the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the AONB.

2.5 This screening report is intended to determine whether there is a need to carry out a full appropriate assessment of the Chilterns AONB Management Plan (2008 -2013) and its polices in relation to sites of European Interest.

2.6 The Conservation Board, as the ‘competent authority' has to satisfy itself that, in adopting the plan, there will be no significant effect on European sites.

2.7 The Board has liaised with Natural England at an early stage regarding which sites to consider, conservation objectives and key environmental conditions for the sites concerned.

2.8 The Board recognises that the AONB management plan will be implemented in the context of changing spatial patterns and housing growth, as directed by the Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks. These are themselves subject to Appropriate Assessment. The AONB Management Plan does not propose any growth or development, and its policies promote conservation of the natural environment and sustainable use of it.

2 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report 3. Sites under consideration 3.1 Summary 3.1.1 There are 3 SACs within the AONB – Aston Rowant, Hartslock Wood and Chilterns Beechwoods. Chilterns Beechwoods comprises of 9 separate sites, of which 8 are within the AONB.

3.1.3 In addition, Burnham Beeches SAC and Little Wittenham SAC have been considered as they are within 10 - 12 km of the AONB boundary and could theoretically be affected indirectly by the Management Plan.

Figure 1: Sites considered as part of the screening

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Table 1: Special Areas of Conservation that were assessed for significant adverse effects of the Chilterns AONB Management Plan

Name Location Area (ha) Qualifying Comments on Nature Key Environmental Possible Impacts Arising From Plan Risk of Other Plans To Be Risk of Significant Features1 Conservation Conditions to Support Significant Considered in Effect In Importance Site Integrity Effect? Combination Combination? Aston Rowant ; 127.75 • Juniper on • One of the best • Regular management • No negative impacts. The plan actively • No Regional Spatial • No Oxfordshire heaths or remaining examples to keep vegetation promotes management of sites to meet Strategies and Local calcareous in UK of lowland open and allow conservation objectives. Development grasslands juniper scrub seedlings to establish. Frameworks. • Beech forests on (between 1,000 and neutral to rich 2,000 individuals of • Prevention of rabbit • No negative impacts. The plan actively • No Regional Spatial • No soils varying age classes). grazing of seedlings. promotes management of sites to meet Strategies and Local conservation objectives Development Frameworks.

• Minimal air pollution. • Although the plan encourages • No Regional Spatial • No. Although RSS countryside recreation, the policies Strategies and Local and LDFs propose specifically encourage environmentally Development housing growth, they sustainable access including minimising Frameworks. will be subject to car use and visiting countryside close to Appropriate home. Assessment themselves, and the Management Plan policies specifically encourage environmentally sustainable access.

1 Terminology is the lay or English name as used by JNCC

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Burnham Beeches Buckinghamshire 382.76 • Beech forests on • Wood-pasture, with • Minimal atmospheric • No negative impacts. There are no • No Regional Spatial • No acid soils veteran trees. pollution - may policies within the AONB Management Strategies and Local • One of the richest increase the Plan to increase visits to Burnham Development sites for saproxylic susceptibility of beech Beeches. Frameworks. invertebrates in the trees to disease and UK, including 14 Red alter epiphytic Data Book species. communities. • Nationally important epiphytic • Restricted public • No negative impacts. There are no • No Regional Spatial • No communities. access (extensive policies within the AONB Management Strategies and Local public access may Plan that would impact on Burnham Development compromise ability to Beeches Frameworks. retain falling timber associated with old trees). • No negative impacts. There are no policies within the AONB Management • Maintenance of an Plan that would impact on Burnham • No Regional Spatial • No adequate and stable Beeches Strategies and Local hydrological system Development Frameworks

5 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report

Chilterns Buckinghamshire; 1276.48 • Beech forests on • A distinctive feature in • Minimal atmospheric • No negative impacts - policies • No Regional Spatial • No. Although RSS Beechwoods Hertfordshire; neutral to rich the woodland flora is pollution - may specifically encourage environmentally Strategies and Local and LDFs propose Oxfordshire; Windsor soils the occurrence of increase the sustainable access including minimising Development housing growth, they and Maidenhead • Dry grasslands populations of the rare susceptibility of beech car use and visiting countryside close to Frameworks will be subject to (Nine sites) and scrublands coralroot. trees to disease home. Appropriate on chalk or • Recent dry years are Assessment limestone believed to be putting themselves, and the • Stag Beetle trees under stress. Management plan policies specifically encourage environmentally sustainable access. • Managed public • No negative impacts - policies • No Regional Spatial access to forest and encourage increased public awareness Strategies and Local • No nearby dry calcareous and responsible attitudes to visiting the Development grasslands countryside. Frameworks

• Appropriate • No negative impacts. The plan actively • No Regional Spatial • No management of promotes management of sites to meet Strategies and Local grasslands conservation objectives Development Frameworks .

• Absence of direct • No negative impacts. The plan actively • No Regional Spatial • No fertilization. promotes management of sites to meet Strategies and Local conservation objectives Development Frameworks

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Hartslock Wood Oxfordshire 34.24 • Dry grasslands • One of only three UK • Appropriate • No negative impacts. The plan actively • No Regional Spatial • No and scrublands populations of management: promotes management of sites to meet Strategies and Local on chalk or monkey orchid. grazing. conservation objectives Development limestone, Frameworks including important orchid sites • Minimal air pollution. • No negative impacts. Although the plan • No Regional Spatial • No. Although RSS • Yew-dominated encourages countryside recreation, the Strategies and Local and LDFs propose woodland policies specifically encourage Development housing growth, they environmentally sustainable access Frameworks will be subject to including minimising car use and visiting Appropriate countryside close to home. Assessment themselves, and the Management plan policies specifically encourage environmentally sustainable access. • Absence of direct • No negative impacts. The plan actively • No Regional Spatial fertilisation promotes management of sites to meet Strategies and Local • No conservation objectives Development Frameworks

7 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report

Little Oxfordshire 68.76 • Great crested • One of the best- • Suitable foraging and • No negative impacts. There are no • No Regional Spatial • No Wittenham newt studied great crested refuge habitat within policies within the AONB Management Strategies and Local newt sites in the UK. 500m of the pond. Plan which would impact on Little Development • 2 main ponds within Wittenham. Frameworks woodland that forms suitable habitat for terrestrial phase. • Relatively unpolluted • No negative impacts. There are no water of roughly policies within the AONB Management • No Regional Spatial • No neutral pH. Plan which would impact on Little Strategies and Local Wittenham. Development Frameworks

• Some ponds deep • No negative impacts. There are no enough to retain water policies within the AONB Management • No Regional Spatial • No throughout February Plan which would impact on Little Strategies and Local to August at least one Wittenham. Development year in every three. Frameworks

• In a wider context, • No negative impacts. There are no • No Regional Spatial • No great crested newts policies within the AONB Management Strategies and Local require good Plan which would impact on Little Development connectivity of Wittenham. Frameworks landscape features (ponds, hedges etc) as they often live as metapopulations in a number of ponds.

8 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report 3.2 Site characteristics

3.2.1 All terrestrial SACs in England are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). Conservation objectives define the desired state for each site in terms of the features for which they have been designated.

3.2.2 In assessing the impact of the AONB Management Plan on these SACs we have considered their qualifying features, conservation objectives for each feature of European interest, management /ownership and environmental status and trends. Table 1 summarises the assessment of likely impacts of the plan’s policies against each SAC, and Appendix 1 shows the detailed screening against each policy.

3.3 Aston Rowant

3.3.1 Qualifying features

• Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands – considered to be one of the best areas in the UK. • Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests, for which the area is considered to support a significant presence.

Figure 2: Aston Rowant and Chilterns Beechwoods (i) (Aston Rowant Woods)

3.3.2 Conservation objectives for the features of European Interest:

Subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the beech forest habitat (Asperulo-Fagetum) and lowland juniper scrub.

9 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report

3.3.3 Environmental Status and Trends

Aston Rowant consists of 7 units, all of which were considered at last inspection (2004 – 2006) to be in favourable or recovering condition. Deer browsing and its potential impact on woodland regeneration was identified as an issue to be monitored in one unit (4), and scrub encroachment is an ongoing concern on several of the units containing calcareous grassland.

3.4 Burnham Beeches

3.4.1. Qualifying Features

• Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with Ilex and sometimes also Taxus in the shrub layer – for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the country.

3.4.2 Conservation Objectives

Subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition Beech forests with Ilex and Taxus rich in epiphytes.

Figure 3: Burnham Beeches

10 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report 3.4.3 Environmental status and trends Burnham Beeches consists of 4 units, all of which were considered to be in favourable condition or unfavourable recovering at the last inspection (2000 – 2006).

3.5 Chilterns Beechwoods

Table 2: Composite sites within the Chilterns Beechwoods SAC

Within Chilterns SSSI AONB? Ashridge Common and Woods Yes Aston Rowant Woods Yes Bisham Woods No Bradenham Woods, Park Wood and The Coppice Yes Ellesborough and Kimble Warrens Yes Yes Tring Woodlands Yes Yes Hollowhill & Pullingshill Woods Yes

Figure 4: Chilterns Beechwoods (ii) (Hollowhill and Pullingshill Woods, and Bisham Woods)

11 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report

Figure 5: Chilterns Beechwoods (iii) (Ellesborough and Kimble Warrens, and Windsor Hill)

3.5.1. Qualifying Features

• Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrublands on chalk. • Asperulo – Fagetum beech forests – for which this is considered to be one of the best areas in the United Kingdom. • Stag beetle, Lucanus cervus, for which the area is considered to support a significant presence.

3.5.2 Conservation Objectives

The conservation objective for the European interest on Ashridge Commons and Woods, Naphill Common, Tring Woodlands, Hollowhill and Pullingshill Woods and Aston Rowant Woods is, subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the beech forest habitat.

The conservation objective for the European interest on Bisham Woods is, subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the beech forest habitat and habitat for the stag beetle, Lucanus cervus.

The conservation objective for the European interest on Bradenham Woods, Park Wood and The Coppice, Ellesborough and Kimble Warrens and Windsor Hill are, subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the beech forest habitat and the lowland calcareous grassland.

12 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report Figure 6 – Chilterns Beechwoods (iv) (Bradenham Woods, Park Wood and the Coppice, and Naphill Common)

3.5.3 Environmental status and trends

Ashridge Commons and Woods comprises of 7 units, all of which were considered to be in favourable or recovering condition at the last inspection (2000- 2008). Bracken control, grazing and deer control are issues that are raised in the condition assessment.

Aston Rowant Woods comprises of 8 units, all of which were considered to be in favourable condition at the last assessment in May 2006.

Bisham Woods comprises of 2 units, both of which were considered to be in favourable or recovering condition at the last assessment in July 2003.

Bradenham Woods, Park Wood and The Coppice comprise of 5 units, all of which were considered to be in favourable or recovering condition at the last assessment in September 2003. Ongoing scrub management and an appropriate grazing regime are highlighted as issues which need addressing in order to achieve favourable condition on the calcareous grassland units.

Ellesborough and Kimble Warrens comprise of 4 units, all of which were considered to be in favourable or recovering condition at the last assessment in June 2004. More intensive grazing and control of regrowth are highlighted as factors in achieving favourable condition on several of the calcareous grassland units.

13 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report Naphill Common comprises of 1 unit considered to be in favourable condition at the last assessment in December 2005.

Figure 7 – Chilterns Beechwoods (v) (Tring Woodlands and Ashridge Commons and Woods)

Tring Woodlands comprise of 1 unit considered to be in recovering condition at the last assessment in March 2005. Recovery of a more balanced species composition was highlighted as important to achieving favourable condition.

Windsor Hill comprises of 2 units considered to be in favourable or recovering condition at the last assessment in February 2008.

Hollowhill and Pullingshill Woods comprise of 2 units considered to be in favourable condition at the last assessment in November 2003.

3.6 Hartslock

3.6.1. Qualifying Features

• Semi-natural dry grassland and scrubland on chalk. • Yew-dominated woodland

14 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report Figure 8: Hartslock

3.6.2 Conservation Objectives The conservation objective for the European interest on this site is, subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the calcareous grassland and scrubland, and yew woodland habitat.

3.6.3 Environmental status and trends This site comprises of 4 units, all of which were considered to be in favourable or recovering condition at the last assessment in August 2004. Improved grazing regime was cited as important to achieving favourable condition on unit 4 (calcareous grassland).

3.7 Little Wittenham

3.7.1. Qualifying Feature Great Crested Newt - Triturus cristatus

Figure 9 – Little Wittenham

3.7.2 Conservation Objectives

Subject to natural change, to maintain in favourable condition the habitat for the Great Crested Newt, Triturus cristatus

3.7.3 Environmental status and trends

The site comprises of one unit which was considered to be in favourable condition at last assessment in August 2004.

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4. Trends and other plans

4.1 It is important to take into account other strategies, plans and policies which may affect the integrity of the SACs in combination with the Management Plan. The Management Plan takes into account many of these plans, including the emerging Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents.

4.2 South East and East of England Plans

4.2.1 The South East and East of England Plans will set the overarching frameworks for planning and development across the South East and East of England to 2026 and 2021 respectively and will provide the context for Local Authorities to develop their own local land use policies and proposals. They cover topics such as housing, the economy, health and education, transport and the environment.

4.2.2 The Regional Spatial Strategies (RSSs) are subject to their own Appropriate Assessments. For the South East four of the SACs are considered to be at risk of region-wide air pollution (Little Wittenham is not at risk), and Burnham Beeches is also at risk of increased recreational pressure, local traffic generated air pollution and urbanisation.

4.2.3 The RSSs identify major growth (housing and employment provision) within various sub-regions. Although a number of these are in close proximity to the AONB the Appropriate Assessments for the RSSs find that any effects on the integrity of the SACs arise from an ‘in combination’ effect with the adjacent RSS (and therefore associated local development documents from the Local Planning Authorities) due to housing provision.

4.2.4 The RSSs also apportion requirements for waste and minerals and these will be dealt with in the Minerals and Waste Development Documents which are also subject to Appropriate Assessments.

4.3 Transport Plans

4.3.1 The Local Transport Plans that affect the AONB have sustainable transport and the minimisation of traffic growth as key themes. In terms of tackling congestion further development of urban public transport is focused on. Other improvements that are promoted include: a bus and coach network, promotion and increase in rail use, development of cycle routes and taxis are to be used to supplement transport in rural areas.

4.3.2 The protection and conservation of the environmental designations of the area will be sought by addressing air quality, noise pollution and by protecting rural areas from negative and disproportionate effects of transport plans. As the SACs are all based in the rural areas this promotion of sustainable transport is an important part of their protection from potential future traffic increases.

16 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report

4.4 Population

4.4.1 The Department for Communities and Local Government issues population projections for all areas at regular intervals. These projections are based on past trends and therefore assume that the factors governing population change will continue unaltered in the future. The County Councils then produce population estimates based on the projections. The estimates are trend based forecasts, and take account of the impact of house building. Although they are not completely comparable, both projections and estimates indicate that the total population is unlikely to change very much in the next 20 years.

4.4.2 Although the population is expected to remain at about the same level, the number of households is expected to increase with more people living alone (especially older people staying in their own house for longer), more one parent families, and young couples delaying having children until later and having smaller families. So whilst there shouldn’t be direct impacts on the SACs in the form of increased demand (e.g. dog walking) there will be an increase in house building to accommodate these extra households.

4.4.3 Overall the stable population (despite continued house building) should not result in increasing indirect pressures (e.g. from informal recreation) on the SACs. The ageing population may increase pressures for informal recreation to some extent though in the long term this could also be affected by changes to retirement age.

4.5 Local Development Documents

4.5.1 The Local Planning Authorities throughout the AONB are in the process of preparing their Local Development Frameworks (LDFs), which will also address minerals and waste issues. The LDFs contain Core Strategies and a series of Local Development Documents which will all be prepared in the light of growth and other development required by the relevant RSS. All such documents will need to be subject to Appropriate Assessment should any designated sites fall within the areas affected and the effects should be considered in combination with the relevant RSS. The Management Plan itself does not propose any growth or development.

17 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report 5. Analysis of the Management Plan

5.1 The Management Plan is considered to have no significant direct effects on the European Protected Sites for a number of reasons, both general and site specific.

5.2 General Issues

5.2.1 The Board’s first purpose is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB. Policies and actions relating to this purpose will have only positive or neutral effects on the European Protected Sites. These include policies to support:

• delivery of BAP targets (NC1) • management and protection of all designated wildlife sites and European protected species to maintain favourable status (NC 2) • effective monitoring of the impact of visitor pressure and climate change on key habitats and species (NC8).

5.2.2 The Board’s second purpose is to increase the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the AONB. This includes policies to:

• make visitors aware of their rights and responsibilities when visiting the countryside (UE3) • encourage non-car use – including walking, cycling, horse riding (UE7), (UE10), (UE11) • encourage people to contribute to the area’s conservation (UE9)

5.2.3 Minimal air pollution is a Key Environmental Condition to support site integrity at all but one of the sites (Little Wittenham). Although the management plan encourages countryside recreation, the policies are specifically designed to encourage environmentally sustainable access, minimise car use and encourage visits to countryside close to home.

5.2.4 There are no policies in the plan designed to specifically increase visits to the European Protected Sites. Policy NC 2 specifically supports their management and protection.

5.2.5 The Management Plan supports the ongoing development of initiatives designed to monitor and disperse visitor pressure to less sensitive sites - for example D7 and NC8. Strategic Green Infrastructure Plans are in place in Bucks and in Bedfordshire/ Luton. These provide a coherent framework to identify and establish additional green infrastructure facilities to accommodate increased demand for public open space resulting from housing growth.

18 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report 5.3 Site Specific Issues

Burnham Beeches

5.3.1 Burnham Beeches is publically owned, and managed sympathetically by the Corporation of London. A large part of the site is designated as a National Nature Reserve and is managed to restore grazed pasture woodland and heathland.

5.3.2 The AONB Management Plan contains no proposals to encourage visits to Burnham Beeches which is outside the AONB, nor is there anything in the plan which the Board considers would result in increased visits to the site.

Chilterns Beechwoods

5.3.3 Chilterns Beechwoods SAC is a composite of nine sites, each of which is a SSSI. Ownership is a mixture of public and private across the nine sites. Those subject to the greatest visitor pressure – for example Ashridge Commons and Woods - are managed by public bodies such as the National Trust, who are actively developing strategies to seek to disperse visitor pressure away from sensitive areas and to encourage non-car alternatives for example the Ashridge cycling strategy.

5.3.4 The Management Plan promotes such approaches, for example policy UE4. It is considered that there would be no significant impacts arising out of the general policies in the management plan encouraging countryside access.

Aston Rowant

5.3.5 The site is managed and largely owned by Natural England and has been designated as a National Nature Reserve. The management of the site is designed to increase public access whilst controlling it to prevent harm to the site’s special interest.

5.3.6 The site is divided into two parts by the M40 motorway. It is considered that there would be no significant impacts arising out of the general policies in the management plan encouraging countryside access.

Hartslock Wood

5.3.7 The site is mostly in private ownership, with no public access. Part of the site is a local Wildlife Trust Reserve and Open Access land. The chalk grassland is an important orchid site, supporting one of only three populations of the monkey orchid (Orchis simian) in the UK.

5.3.8 Visitor pressure is generally modest, apart from during the orchid flowering season when numbers increase. The wildlife trust manages this through voluntary wardening. The potential for increased visits by car is negligible as parking is extremely limited. It is considered that there would be

19 Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008-2013 Screening for Appropriate Assessment - Baseline Report no significant impacts arising out of the general policies in the management plan encouraging countryside access.

Little Wittenham

5.3.9 The site is managed by the Northmoor Trust as a nature reserve. The areas which are most important to the population of great crested newts have restricted access which is designed to prevent conflicts between the visiting public, the newts and their habitat.

5.3.10 The Management Plan contains no proposals to encourage visits to Little Wittenham, which is outside the AONB.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The screening process concludes that an appropriate assessment of the Chilterns AONB Management Plan 2008 -13 is unnecessary as its policies will have no significant adverse effects on European Protected Sites within or in close proximity to the AONB.

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