Areas of Outstanding National Beauty

HC Deb 18 March 2002 vol 382 cc31-2W

Mr. Andrew Turner

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions what steps have been taken since 1997 to strengthen the protection of areas of outstanding national beauty. [43355]

Ms Keeble

[holding answer 14 March 2002]: In June 2000 we amended Planning Policy Guidance for the Countryside to make clear that areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs) and National Parks should be given equivalent protection by the planning system. This means that proposals for major developments in AONBs should be demonstrated to be in the public interest before being allowed to proceed.

Protection of AONB's will be strengthened under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 through the requirement of a management plan for all and the option of a Conservation Board for those where local authorities think one would be suitable.