Debate on 3rd April: Environmental Importance of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty This Library Note outlines the origins and development of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It provides a brief summary of the current role and funding of these areas with more detailed coverage of recent evaluations of their environmental importance. Elizabeth Shepherd Date 31st March 2008 LLN 2008/010 House of Lords Library Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of Parliament and their personal staff. Authors are available to discuss the contents of the Notes with the Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public. Any comments on Library Notes should be sent to the Head of Research Services, House of Lords Library, London SW1A 0PW or emailed to
[email protected]. 1. Introduction The aim of this paper is to provide a summary of the key milestones in the development of policy on Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and to present the recent evidence available on their significance in environmental terms. It does not cover perceived threats to AONBs, such as wind farm and road developments. AONBs include “some of our finest countryside … [t]hey are living and working landscapes protected by law. They are inhabited by thousands of people and are loved and visited by many thousands more” (Countryside Agency Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plans: A Guide, 2001, p. 9). Their primary statutory purpose is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape: The statutory definition of ‘Natural Beauty’ includes flora, fauna and geological and physiographic features.