Angela met with Kathy from the Surrey Hills Board about the changes being proposed to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) boundaries. Mostly this is great news, as Natural England has been consulting on plans to extend the AONB boundary across Surrey, resulting in more protection of rural landscapes and historic scenery.
There are one or two places, most notably for Guildford in Shalford, where organisations including local community councils believe that even more of their surrounding area meets the criteria to be designated as AONB. This is also the case nearby in West Clandon.
Angela has written to Natural England in support of proposals to extend the AONB down the northern slopes of the Hog's Back and to include extra landscape near Shamley Green and Wonersh that is currently excluded. She has made representations in support of the local community council to include more of Peasmarsh and Shalford in recognition of the natural beauty of the Wey Valley.
Angela hopes that Natural England will consider this before making its recommendation to the Secretary of State. Controlling development and promoting bio-diversity of these areas is key to keeping them for future generations to enjoy.
