In Reigate & Banstead we have some of the most beautiful countryside in the country. From Reigate Heath to Chipstead Downs, we have an abundance of amazing landscapes and breath-taking views on our door step.
One of the greatest protections for land is the 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' (AONB) designation, which has recently been renamed 'National Landscape'. The Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) boundary has not been reviewed since its designation in 1958 and currently includes Reigate Hill, Colley Hill and Gatton Park. This land has equal status and protection to a national park, conserving it for future generations.
Over the years, there have been calls from local residents and groups to further expand the boundary to protect even more of our beautiful countryside. So in March 2023, Natural England published proposals to extend the Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) and began a consultation to seek people’s views on whether the proposed extensions should be given national status. The proposals included land in Headley Hills, Chipstead, Lower Kingswood and Reigate Heath.
Following further suggestions of additional land to be included in consultation responses, Natural England has now come back this year with revised proposals for expanding the Surrey Hill's National Landscape even further.
The boundary expansion (which includes the original land proposed in 2023 and the new additions proposed in 2024) of relevance for us in Reigate, Redhill, Banstead and our villages are as follows (see detailed maps attached at bottom of article):
Headley Hills
To protect the pastoral and ancient woodland surrounding the village of Headley, the existing border will extend northwards up to the M25 towards Walton-on-the-Hill taking in the area including Costal Wood, Frith Park and Queens Wood. The boundary expansion will stop at the M25 leaving Langley Vale and Banstead Heath outside the AONB, largely for reasons of M25 noise. The 2024 revision includes additional land at Beaverbrook taking in the mansion house and sloping designed gardens.
Chipstead & Lower Kingswood
To protect the chalk valleys and ancient semi-natural woodland in this area, the existing border will extend northwards towards the urban fringes of Kingswood and Chipstead taking in part of Lower Kingswood and Banstead Woods. The 2024 revision includes additional land at Hogden Bottom near Mugswell taking in sloping fields and woodland.
Reigate Heath
To protect the dry acid grassland and lowland heathland of Reigate Heath, the existing Buckland border will extend southwards across Betchworth and then eastwards across Reigate Heath. A small area east of Clifton's Lane is also included. The 2024 revision includes additional expansion across land that is south of Colley Hill taking in the lower slopes of the chalk scarp and ancient woodland at Colley Copse and rural lanes of Coppice Lane and The Clears.
I very much welcome the proposals to include additional land in the Surrey Hills Natural Landscape. Not only will this enhance and protect our natural heritage, but it will also give a boost to local tourism and help attract funding. Moreover, protection of land is going to become even more important if the new Government's planning reforms go ahead.
Having said that, I am disappointed that areas like Langley Vale and Banstead Heath still remain outside of the boundary. In my view, too much onus has been placed on ‘relative tranquillity’ in determining eligible areas. This is especially detrimental for landscapes close to the M25. The noise from the concrete road surface between J8 and J9 is particularly loud at present due to the concrete surface needing repair, but this noise will reduce once fixed. I am worried that land that would normally qualify if the motorway were in a good state of repair is being excluded on the basis of temporary excessive noise levels. I will be writing to Natural England to make this point.
The consultation on the 2024 proposed additions closes on 10th December 2024, and can be found here. If you are supportive, then I would urge you to complete the online response form so that these special bits of land get the extra protections they deserve.
Surrey Hills National Landscape (AONB) Variation Project Second Consultation - Defra - Citizen Space
