Hope for our finest landscapes?

What are the opportunities for the National Landscape designation projects in the future? And what action does CPRE want to see from the government?

We’d like to see the government to start standing up for landscapes. As it stands, they don’t get the profile they deserve. We want the government to commit to designating the Yorkshire Wolds as our newest National Landscape and extensions to the Surrey Hills National Landscape as soon as possible.

But what is a National Landscape? These are places that are safeguarded in the national interest for their distinctive character and beauty. These are formerly known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs). There are 34 National Landscapes, which cover 15% of the land area in England, with around 66% of people within a 30-minute journey of their nearest.

National Landscapes also deliver considerable benefits to the nation, for instance they store at least 17.5% of England’s total soil carbon. 30% of our finest ancient woodlands are in National Landscapes, and coastal areas are excellent flood buffer zones – as well as biodiversity hotspots.

Special landscapes

When you think of a place that’s special to you, is it a green space nearby or is it somewhere that is recognised nationally for being particularly beautiful? Are there rolling hills, moorlands, heaths or valleys?

For me, it’s the Surrey Hills that makes my heart sing. It was there my mum took me for my first stay in a youth hostel – it was such an adventure walking over heathland from a train station and into the Devil’s Punchbowl where we were staying for the night. My Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition was also in the Surrey Hills, and now it’s a place I take my family.

Lack of commitment

In summer 2021, Natural England announced four areas under consideration for new or expanded National Landscape designations. These included two brand-new designations in the Yorkshire Wolds and Cheshire Sandstone Ridge, and proposed extensions to the Chilterns and Surrey Hills National Landscapes. Natural England began gathering evidence for each proposal to assess whether the areas meet the statutory criteria for ‘natural beauty’.

However, the recent government spending review, delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has cut budgets across the board. As a result, funding for landscape designation work has been reduced significantly. This is already having a direct impact: Natural England has paused work on the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge designation and the proposed Chilterns extension.

This signals a worrying lack of commitment from the government to protect our landscapes, whether designated areas like National Landscapes and National Parks or the wider countryside. These places could play a major role in meeting the government’s target to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030. But budget cuts have already led to the loss of expert staff within both National Parks and National Landscapes teams, threatening the ambition and delivery of this vital work.

Signs of hope?

Thankfully, two designation projects will continue.

The Yorkshire Wolds is set to become England’s newest National Landscape, the first new designation since the Tamar Valley in 1995. CPRE has been working alongside CPRE North and East Yorkshire to call for a much larger Yorkshire Wolds National Landscape, not only to protect more land but to ensure more people and wildlife can benefit from its special qualities.

The Wolds is a landscape of exceptional character. Much of it has the darkest skies, and is free from light pollution, making it a haven for stargazing. CPRE’s earlier research also showed that the Wolds has a remarkable sense of tranquillity, thanks to its elevated views, absence of visual clutter, and low noise levels. It’s a place that has inspired artists, including David Hockney, whose ‘Yorkshire Wolds Landscapes’ paintings have immortalised its rolling hills and sweeping skies.

It’s expected that Natural England will complete the designation process in summer 2026, after which the proposal will be submitted to government for final approval.

The second project still underway is the proposed extension of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, which could increase its coverage by up to 25%. Two public consultations on the proposed boundary changes have already taken place, reflecting strong public interest in the plans.

Treasured landscapes

CPRE will continue to urge the government to confirm both the Yorkshire Wolds designation and the Surrey Hills extension without delay. These treasured landscapes are vital for wildlife, climate, and people., and they deserve the highest level of protection, now and for generations to come.