24 May 2025
Proposals to expand the Chilterns National Landscape to incorporate parts of the St Albans district have been pulled by the Government.
A National Landscape, formerly an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)’ is a formal designation for an area of land that is of national importance for its natural beauty.
National Landscapes have the same level of landscape quality and can claim the same level of protection as the UK’s National Parks, with the single purpose of National Landscape designation ‘to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area’.
The current boundary of the Chilterns National Landscape doesn’t cover the entire Chilterns landscape, with some of its distinctive natural features lying outside the designated area, meaning they don’t receive the same consideration for planning, development or land-use change.
In June 2021 Natural England’s Designations Programme was launched to explore extending the Chilterns National Landscape and improving its management and governance.
Funding was subsequently given by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to Natural England to expand the Chilterns National Landscape to cover more areas of the Chilterns, which could have included Harpenden, Redbourn, Sandridge and Wheathampstead. Under National Landscape status, it would have provided new protections for the countryside, enhancements for chalk streams, and support for farmers and small businesses.
But due to national budget cuts the Chilterns Boundary Review project has now been cancelled.
Dr Elaine King, chief executive of the Chilterns National Landscape, said: “This is a devastating decision.
“We were on the cusp of supporting Natural England with its public consultation on an extended boundary, with all landscape assessments completed and strong support across our local authorities, partner organisations and local residents.
“The time, effort, and hope invested by so many people has simply been swept away.
“The Chilterns is in a strong position to connect its growing local communities with the joys of this special landscape – this is not just a missed opportunity, it’s a step backwards.”
St Albans District Conservatives have condemned the U-turn.
Group leader Cllr Matt Cowley said: “For too long, our part of the Chilterns has sat outside the National Landscape, meaning we don’t get the same protections and support that other parts of the Chilterns get.
“That’s not right – and that’s why the Conservatives in Government had a plan to expand the Chilterns, so that areas like ours got the National Landscape status they deserve.
“It is shameful that Labour have pulled the funding to address this two-tier Chilterns situation.
“Local Conservatives believe that our countryside and our rural economy need and deserve the protections that National Landscape status would bring.
“We’ve put in for this to be urgently discussed at the next meeting of the district council’s planning policy and climate committee and we’re going to be doing all that we can to get the Government to change their mind and reinstate the funding for expansion.”
Cllr Cowley has launched a campaign that residents can back at www.mattcowley.uk/countryside
Harpenden MP Victoria Collins has also hit back at the decision.
She said: “Constituents across Harpenden, Redbourn, Sandridge, and Wheathampstead are deeply concerned about the future of the countryside that makes our part of Hertfordshire so special. Residents who have lived here for years have reached out to me, worried that without proper protections, the character of these communities could be lost forever.
“The Government’s decision to withdraw funding for the Chilterns National Landscape expansion has denied our communities vital environmental safeguards and economic opportunities. Our precious chalk streams remain vulnerable, our farmers lose crucial support, and our local businesses miss the boost that National Landscape status would bring.
“That’s why I am calling for a firm commitment to protect our natural heritage and call on the Government to restore the funding for the Chilterns National Landscape expansion and work with local communities to ensure our countryside receives the recognition and protection it deserves for generations to come.”
Batford Nature Reserve photo by Steve Collins.
