Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (National Landscape) Boundary Variation Project
On the 7th September 2026, Natural England submitted proposals to the Defra Secretary of State (SoS) for an extension of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The statutory purpose of an AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. Extension of this designation, if confirmed by the Secretary of State, would further recognise the national importance of these beautiful landscapes.
This proposal extends the Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) by an area of 129 km2 representing an increase in size of 30%. Following the Notice Period, all representations were analysed and four minor deletions were made to the proposal.
The SoS will review the submitted evidence and consider their decision. The SoS has the final decision on whether or not to confirm the Orders. They may decide to confirm the Orders as submitted; or make changes; or decide to refuse it. There is no timescale for this to happen. The Order does not come into effect unless and until confirmed by the Secretary of State.
Natural England would like to thank everyone who has participated in this project.
Further Information:
The proposals to extend the Surrey Hills National Landscape were submitted to Defra at the same time as a proposal to designate a new AONB within the Yorkshire Wolds. Both projects have attracted strong public and stakeholder support, with between 80–95% support across consultations, although objections have also been received.
The package of information submitted to Defra includes: the made Designation Variation Order (Surrey Hills) and made Designation Order (Yorkshire Wolds) and all accompanying maps, all technical assessments, Statutory and Public consultation analysis and the Notice Period Analysis, as well as other supporting information. Copies of all the statutory consultation responses as well as the Notice representations and the letters to Ministers were also submitted to the Secretary of State with the Order, to allow them to take a view of the extent to which they should affect his deliberations on whether to confirm the Order with or without modifications, or not to confirm the Order.
Natural England have undertaken this work to conserve and enhance England’s most outstanding landscapes for future generations, fulfilling Natural England’s powers and responsibilities under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.
Communicated by Natural England on Tuesday 8th September 2026