Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Key definition

AONB definition

What does AONB mean? In practice, an AONB is a designated landscape where planning and other public decisions must give great weight to conserving and enhancing natural beauty, often constraining development and shaping mitigation and management obligations. In England and Wales, “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” is a statutory designation under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Key features include: a statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing natural beauty; a duty on relevant authorities to have regard to that purpose (often called the section 85 duty); and a requirement for management plans. National planning policy treats AONBs as having the highest status...

AONBs/National Landscapes in England and Wales: designation, statutory and Protected Landscapes duties, NPPF policy, planning decisions, permitted development and key case law

Published by a LexisNexis Planning expert

Practice notes

What are aonbs/National Landscapes?

Areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), termed National Landscapes, are stretches of countryside across England and Wales, lying outside national parks in England and Wales, designated because of their exceptional landscape importance. The core objective of AONB/National Landscape status is 'to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the landscape'.

to provide for the quiet enjoyment of the countryside
to take account of the interests of people who live and work within them

On 22 November 2023, every designated AONB in England and Wales adopted the name ‘National Landscapes’. This change is mirrored in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), though in statute they continue to be called AONBs.

Responsible authorities include natural england, Natural Resources Wales, the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Welsh Ministers, and local planning authorities (LPAs), all of whom contribute to the designation and enforcement of AONBs/National Landscapes...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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