Landscapes at Risk?: The Future for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales

By: Edward Holdaway and Gerald Smart

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Synopsis: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) together with National Parks are the highest quality landscapes in England and Wales, and have been designated to conserve that quality. AONBs have always been regarded as 'second' to national parks in terms of the legislation and resources provided by the nation to look after them. At the turn of the century they are at a cross-roads - there are many challenges to be overcome if they are to survive as the best. This book examines whether they are fit to meet the challenges and sets out a bold new Agenda for their survival.Landscapes at Risk? covers the history and development of AONBs in England and Wales set in the context of protected landscapes generally in the UK. It focuses on the evolution of policies towards them, the arrangements for their administration, conservation and management, the land management and planning context within which they have evolved, and the adequacy of the proposals that have been put forward for their long-term well-being. Throughout the analysis there are numerous references to the many initiatives that have been and are being taken by AONB managers and others to secure their future. The book features a series of case studies of individual AONBs to illustrate the main points being made in the text.