The ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of 36 nationally protected landscapes in England, having equal landscape status and protection to a National Park. All public bodies have a 'statutory duty of regard' to protect and enhance the natural beauty of the ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ Hills landscape.
A key landscape feature of the ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ Hills is the network of winding, narrow, secluded lanes, often with high banks and hedgerows, connecting villages and hamlets. These lanes are often rich in history reflecting centuries of human use and still retain much of their traditional charm.
Please see the for further information about how we protect and enhance the ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ Hills, and to download a copy of the Environmental Design Guidance.
The Environmental Design Guidance document sets out guidance for conserving and enhancing country lanes and villages in the ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to help ÄûÃʵ¼°¹, local planning authorities, transport planners, contractors, developers, parish council's and other parties. It sets out some principles and best practice that should be considered in managing country lanes and the design of development within the ÄûÃʵ¼°¹ Hills.