Surrey Hills Update

Update Rob Fairbanks, AONB Director

Special Qualities

Woodland

Downland

Heathland

Views

Heritage

Farming National Parks and AONBs

• Designated in 1958; now one of 34 AONBs

• Equivalent landscape status to a National Park

• Statutory Management Plan that formulates the vision and policy for the areas Objectives of AONB Management

Protect and enhance natural beauty

Promote public understanding and enjoyment

Promote social and economic well-being Management Plan Vision The Surrey Hills AONB is recognised as a national asset in which its natural and cultural resources are managed in an attractive landscape mosaic of farmland, woodland, heaths, downs and commons.

It provides opportunities for sustainable business enterprise and for all to enjoy and appreciate its natural beauty for their health and well-being. Pressures and threats

Over 10 million people live within 1 hour of the Surrey Hills

Over 80% of people searching Surrey Hills come from London post-codes (Google)

Highest levels of cycling in country (Strava)

London’s population set to grow to over 10m by 2040

Twice the average volume of traffic on our lanes England’s most popular National Landscapes (Google Review Insights)

1. Lake District 2. Peak District 3. New Forest 4. South Downs 5. Cotswolds 6. Surrey Hills 7. Dartmoor 8. Yorkshire Dales The Glover Review

Review of Designated Landscapes (National Parks and AONBs):

“Our country is changing fast. It is becoming more diverse. More urban. Much busier. New forms of farming, carbon emissions, the sprawl of housing, new technology and social shifts have changed the relationship between people and the countryside, and left nature and our climate in crisis.

Our Designated Landscapes cannot carry on as they do now.” Surrey Hills Family - diversifying the funding & resource base Access issues

Massive visitor pressures Lack of space and infrastructure Behaviours and Sense of Entitlement

Impacts: Litter Wild mountain bike trails Organised sportif events Conflict between users, eg walkers, Horses, cyclists Parking congestion Access Opportunities Rail Partnerships – Surrey Hills to South Downs and North Downs Lines

Rail to Ramble

Countryside Code – Respect, Protect & Enjoy

Active Travel

Greenways – shared routes – “Be Nice, Say Hi”, “Go Slow – Enjoy” Inspiring Change

Inspiring Views - access, habitat, outreach

Heathland Artworks Farnham Heath

Footprints – Surrey archaeology storytelling Growing the Surrey Hills Economy Field to Fork campaign with HRH Countess of Wessex

Surrey Hills Artisans Denbies Festival, Cranleigh and Guildford Markets

The Guide new Members’ Directory Landscape Conservation Planning. Clive Smith advises on over 300 applications per year.

Sale of small plots. Wanborough fields concern

Nature Recovery Strategy. A land manager and farmer approach to Making Space for Nature

Farming in Protected Landscapes. £1m programme to support habitat and access projects.

Surrey Hills Champions. A Surrey Hills Enterprises and Society collaboration. Events Surrey Hills Wood Fair - Cranleigh Showground on 11 & 12 September

Surrey Hills Sustainable Business Conference, Pennyhill Park on Friday 22nd October

Surrey Hills Symposium Surrey University on Wednesday 24th November