Natural England recently held a second consultation on proposals to include parts of East Hampshire in an area of outstanding natural beauty, which East Hampshire District Council provided a response.
Land including Ludshott and Bramshott Commons, the southern slopes of Whitmoor Vale and a small part of the Slea and Wey valleys could be incorporated into an extension of the Surrey Hills National Landscape (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)).
If approved it would give those areas special status and protection.
Natural England ran public consultations on the proposed extension to the boundary in 2023 and 2024.
The 2024 consultation is limited to new additions and minor deletions to the proposed extension areas only, including the land in East Hampshire, which will be clearly identified within the documents that are produced for the consultation.
Natural England is the public body responsible for conserving and enhancing the natural environment in England. Areas of outstanding natural beauty were recently rebranded as national landscapes. Natural England website
The council’s response to the second consultation in December 2024 can be viewed here: