New Era For Chilterns
A CONSERVATION Board for the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is being launched at a special event at Blenheim Palace near Oxford, on Tuesday, December 14.
The Chilterns is one of 41 AONBs across England and Wales which, together with National Parks, represent the UK?s finest landscapes.
The Conservation Board will be the first of its kind and the creation is a milestone in the management of AONBs. It results from the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act which, in 2000, gave the go-ahead for a new type of organisation to care for AONBs.
The Conservation Board replaces the shadow Chilterns Conservation Board which has been conserving and enhancing the AONB since 2001.
It is intended that the new Conservation Board will have an independent voice, will be able to make its own decisions, and its members will have a responsibility to consider the widest possible interests of the AONB, nationally and locally. It will consist of 29 members – 15 nominated by local authorities, six by parish councils and eight appointed by the Government.
The Chilterns Conservation Board?s role is:
? to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB
? to increase the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the AONB, ensuring that these complement the conservation and enhancement of the area.
Steve Rodrick, Chief Officer of the Chilterns Conservation Board, says:
?Acquiring a Conservation Board represents a new and exciting era for the Chilterns AONB. There are significant benefits in having a Board:
? it will give the Chilterns a special status and a more powerful and influential voice ? helping to secure the best possible future for its landscapes and the people who live and work here;
? it has a duty to increase understanding and enjoyment of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and can therefore help to develop a better appreciation of the qualities of this fantastic landscape;
? it is a strong local advocate for the AONB ? nearly three quarters of Board members are either parish or local councillors;
? its independence makes it easier to secure funding from new sources, attract investment into the area and strengthen the local economy.?
