Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales

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Gower, Llŷn, and Anglesey
.

There are five

Wales-England border, and in total AONBs account for 4% of Wales' land area
.

The responsibility of designating areas in recognition of their national importance is

local authorities. They also differ from national parks in their more limited opportunities for extensive outdoor recreation. The Welsh Government had proposed that the designation be renamed to National Landscapes of Wales, however, they did not follow through with the proposals. In November 2023, all AONBs across England and Wales were to be renamed "National Landscapes".[2]

Horses on the Gower Peninsula, with the Worm's Head in the background.

Of the five, the

Clwydian Range AONB in 1985, and expanded to the Dee Valley
in 2011.

History

Further information: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Hobhouse Report by Sir

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty".[3]

Conservation areas proposed in the 1947 Hobhouse Report; with their proposed size; likely to be wholly in Wales:[3]

Pen Pumlumon Arwystli in the proposed Cambrian Mountains
  • Anglesey Coast — 76 sq mi (200 km2) (in comparison the Anglesey AONB; spans 85 sq mi (220 km2))
  • Llŷn AONB
    ; spans 60 sq mi (160 km2))
  • Denbigh Moors — 146 sq mi (380 km2)
  • Clwydian Range AONB
    ; spanned 61 sq mi (160 km2) between 1985-2011)
  • Berwyn — 205 sq mi (530 km2)
  • Plynlimon — 520 sq mi (1,300 km2)
  • Elenith Mountains — 484 sq mi (1,250 km2)
  • Epynt
    — 179 sq mi (460 km2)
  • Cardigan Coast — 18 sq mi (47 km2)
  • Gower AONB
    ; spans 73 sq mi (190 km2))
  • South Glamorgan Coast — 14 sq mi (36 km2)

Conservation areas proposed in the 1947 Hobhouse Report; with their proposed size; but extent into Wales unknown, may be only in England or extend into Wales:[3]

  • Clun and Radnor Forests — 474 sq mi (1,230 km2) (England & Wales)*
  • Shropshire Hills AONB
    stops at England-Wales border, may been proposed as cross border; existing AONB spans 310 sq mi (800 km2))
  • Wye Valley AONB crosses the England-Wales border; spanning 126 sq mi (330 km2) in both countries) (Forest of Dean was not designated as AONB at the time, and if designated separately would be wholly in England[4]
    )

* May be wholly in Wales or extend further through the Clun Forest into England.

Designation of the AONBs

AONBs were first designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, and prior to

UK Government.[5]

The first AONB to be designated with the status in Wales was the Gower AONB in 1956, designated for its classic limestone coast and local natural habitats, it was also the first AONB designated in the UK.[6] This was followed by parts of the Llŷn Peninsula to be designated an AONB in 1957, with 55 miles (89 km) of the AONB's coastline also designated as a Heritage coast.[7] The coasts of Anglesey were designated as an AONB in 1966, with its status confirmed the following year, the status was awarded to the Anglesey Coast to protect its aesthetic appeal and the various landscapes and habitats from inappropriate development.[8] The Wye Valley, spanning parts of both Wales and England, was designated in 1971, to protect the AONBs various features including: limestone gorges, native woodlands, hillforts, castles and the first Cistercian Abbey in Wales.[9] The Clwydian Range was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1985 by the Secretary of State for Wales Nicholas Edwards MP; with proposals to extend it to the Dee Valley by the Countryside Council for Wales and local councils announced in 2010,[10] and approved in November 2011 expanding the AONB to become the current Clwydian Range and Dee Valley.[11]

2015 review

In 2014,

AM, then Minister for Natural Resources, commissioned for a Review of the Designated Landscapes in Wales, to "ensure that [Wales'] designated landscapes are best equipped to meet current and future challenges while building upon their internationally recognised status".[12]

In July 2015, the Welsh Government commissioned review paper, produced by an independent panel chaired by Professor Terry Marsden of Cardiff University ("Marsden review") was published, providing 69 recommendations[12][13]

The initial report called for grouping the AONBs with National Parks as "The National Designated Landscapes of Wales", but opposed any plans to make AONBs and National Parks a single designation, and instead, both designations are "the equivalent designations" with identical Statutory Purposes and Duties, with a further initial recommendation for renaming AONBs to "National Landscapes".[14]

The review detailed three "statutory purposes":[13]

  • Conservation — "To conserve and enhance the distinctive landscape[c][13] and seascape qualities of the area"
  • Human Well-being — "To promote physical and mental well-being through the enjoyment and understanding of the landscape of the area"
  • Sustainable Resource Management — "To promote sustainable forms of natural resource management and economic and community development which support the cultural heritage of the area."[13]

and recommended a reclarified Statutory Duty, replacing the current "have regard to" duty in existing public bodies, to be replaced with a "single and clear duty" — "To contribute to the delivery of the three Purposes of the National Designated Landscapes".

Sandford Principle was also recommended to be retained in the review, which confirms the primacy of conservation in the AONBs should conflict with other duties arise.[14]

It also proposed that AONBs should become statutory consultees on planning applications that are considered to have an impact on the "special qualities" of the AONBs. The authors of the report recommended that the management bodies of the AONBs and national parks should maintain their purposes, in conserving the landscape, promoting physical well-being, and promoting sustainable economic and community development. But the report states that the bodies have to improve their understanding of the local economy, in particular the tourism sector.[15]

Lesley Griffiths AM, then Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, would describe the crux of the report to be the promotion of the authorities' duty to consider the socio-economic well-being of the AONBs.[16]

The Marsden review also recommended that the Welsh Government empower AONBs and national parks to become centres of innovation and a catalyst for development for regions of rural Wales, but within the designated landscapes' "environmental limits", and to set performance targets for the managing bodies of the designated landscapes.[15]

Other recommendations in the report include: extending AONB boundaries to cover adjacent sea areas, reducing the regulatory burden of audit, creation of bodies (including a National Landscape Committee, National Partnership Board and Local Partnerships), the introduction of a Partnership Plan for each area, remove the political balance requirement on AONB boards (revised to have local authority, national and “local” appointees allocated proportionally), and finally provide a core grant from Welsh Government for all designated landscape areas (whilst increasing scrutiny and diversity of their overall revenue budget through pan-Wales strategy using indicators and targets).

A final report of the Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales was published in November 2015. The report's new recommendations include; no change of name (as mentioned below) or legal status of AONBs or national parks in Wales, strengthening the supporting and delivery role of other bodies, and creating a National Landscape Committee.[17]

In March 2018, Hannah Blythyn AM, then Minister for Environment, stated no changes were to be made on how AONBs operate in Wales, including the proposed name change.[18]

Proposed renaming

The initial Marsden review proposed that Wales' five AONBs be renamed to the "National Landscapes of Wales".[14][19]

The proposals met criticism from AMs, MPs, volunteer groups, and tourist trade organisations, with

Cotswolds National Landscape in 2020.[22][23] In November 2023, all AONBs across England and Wales were to be renamed "National Landscapes".[2]

A later published finalised review by Marsden removed the recommendation for renaming AONBs, recommending instead that "The Welsh Government should retain the names of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) as the key designations of the National Landscapes of Wales". With the existing designations being within a consistent and resilient nomenclature, coined in the report to potentially be "The National Landscapes of Wales", reaffirming as initially recommended, that both AONBs and National Parks be "The Equivalent Designations" within this one group.[12]

2017 review

In 2015, Carl Sargeant AM, then Minister for Natural Resources, set up a Future Landscape Working Group, chaired by Dafydd Elis-Thomas AM for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, and aimed to explore the recommendations from the Marsden review and report findings in 2016.[15] The group included representatives from the AONBs, National Parks, various environmental groups, and business and government officials.

The "Future Landscapes" review was published in May 2017.[16] It set out a new plan for AONBs and National Parks, advocating that they should go beyond their current duties for improving conservation and amenities, by becoming "drivers" of sustainable natural resource management (as set out in Welsh legislation), provide a benefit for the wider public and private within and beyond their designated areas, realising the economic potential of local communities, promote green growth and ecosystem resilience.[14] For governance of the areas, the review recommended that bodies and partnerships of the AONBs work across their boundaries together with Natural Resources Wales and local partnerships to promote the social, cultural, and economic value of the areas, and improve sustainable usage of the areas.[14] Following publication, Lesley Griffiths, then Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs, thanked the group for their work, and stated that "the next step is to deliver against the ambition, not in isolation, but together as part of the collaborative approach".[14]

Critics of the report state that, it fails to mention the "

Sandford Principle" which was a key recommendation in the Marsden review. The principle means that whenever there is a conflict between recreation in designated landscapes and the authorities' duty for the conservation of the area, conservation takes priority over recreation. Some AMs have voiced their fears that the report can lead to legislation that removes the extra protections awarded to designated landscapes, and could allow developments, in particular, focused on green infrastructure such as wind farms, to be built within the protected areas. Which critics describe would "detract from the purpose" of the areas' designated status.[24] The Snowdonia Society, stated the report lacked clarity and echoed the concerns that the report lacked an emphasis on the primacy of conservation, noting that the word "Conservation" was absent in the Future Landscapes document.[14]

In 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas' UK Assessment Panel, expressed concerns over the Future Landscapes report commissioned by the Welsh Government. The panel stated that the new report diluted the importance of conservation in the designated landscapes as recommended in the Marsden review, and stylises the landscapes as "catalysts for regional development in rural areas", rather than from an environmental point of view. The panel concluded, that if the report's recommendations are acted upon, it would be "impossible for the panel to continue to accord international recognition to Wales’s national parks and AONBs as protected areas", and that Wales' National Parks and AONBs would be less protected and weaker than those designated in the rest of the United Kingdom.[25][26]

In March 2018, Minister for Environment Hannah Blythyn AM stated no changes were to be made on how AONBs operate in Wales.[18]

Re-naming

On 22 November 2023, it was announced all AONBs in England and Wales would be renamed to "National Landscapes".[1]

Management

Powers for the designation and management of AONBs are devolved to Wales, under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act).[27][5] Under Section 82 of the CRoW Act, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) holds the right to designate any area of Wales, that is deemed to be of "outstanding natural beauty" worthy of conservation and enhancement that is not within a National Park, to be an AONB, following approval from the Welsh Government.[28][29][5] NRW advises the government on any areas it deems suitable for AONB status, awards partnership funding to AONBs, and advises planning and development that may have an impact on the AONB.[30]

Each AONB has a dedicated AONB officer, other staff, and alongside other AONBs in the United Kingdom are collectively represented by the "National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty" (NAAONB).[31]

AONBs are classified as a Category V landscape by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).[32]

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has overall responsibility for AONBs nationally in Wales but the AONBs are locally managed by

local authorities with the support of Joint Advisory Committees (JAC), local communities and partnerships.[5]

Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, local authorities are responsible for developing an AONB management plan. This plan is constructed in consultation with the advisory committees and an AONB partnership–which reports and advises the local authorities–in the development and completion of the AONB Management Plan. The management plan sets out the policies the local authorities want to enact for the management of the AONB and how these policies would be implemented and achieved, providing a framework of permitted activities in the AONB. The management plan is required to take into consideration various issues of the AONB and not be limited to only environmental priorities, but also to analyse and address social and economic issues in the AONB. The 2000 act mandates that management plans have to be revised no less than every five years, with Natural Resources Wales (formed from a merger including the Countryside Council for Wales in 2013) providing funding for AONB management to the local authorities, allocated based on the AONB's management plan's policies. Local authorities or joint committees are required to notify NRW when they are intending to publish their management plan. The same act places a duty on public bodies; including

private utility companies
to respect efforts made to conserve, protect, and enhance the AONB's natural beauty.

The AONB designation shares the same status in terms of planning with national parks, however, unlike national parks, AONB's cannot undertake their own planning operations. Instead, the powers are awarded to the relevant planning authorities of the local unitary authorities on behalf of the AONB.[5]

The National Association of AONBs as part of their efforts to increase awareness of AONBs in local communities, successfully negotiated in 2014 to have the boundaries of AONBs in England shown on Google Maps. The Welsh Government, as of 2021, has not released data of AONB boundaries to be used by Google on Google Maps.

List of areas

Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB
.

Five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) have been designated in Wales, one of which, the Wye Valley AONB, straddles the

Anglo-Welsh border.[33]
The areas are:

  • City and County of Swansea on the south-west coast of Wales, on the north side of the Bristol Channel. Referred to colloquially as 'the Gower', it was the first area in the United Kingdom to be designated as an AONB in 1956.[34]
  • Isle of Anglesey. The AONB was created in 1956, and is one of the most scientifically important in both Wales and the United Kingdom.[36] 55 miles (89 km) of the AONB's coastline is Heritage coast.[37]
  • Anglesey AONB (Welsh: AHNE Ynys Môn) – which was designated as a AONB in 1966, in order to protect the aesthetic appeal and variety of the island's coastal landscape and habitats from inappropriate development. The AONB covers most of Anglesey's 125 miles (201 km) coastline, as well as inland areas, such as Holyhead Mountain and Mynydd Bodafon.[38] The AONB covers around 221 square kilometres (85 sq mi), about a third of the county, making it Wales' second-largest AONB, and largest until 2011.[38]
  • Southern Britain. The River Wye (Welsh: Afon Gwy) is the fifth-longest river in the United Kingdom.[40] The upper part of the river passes through the settlements of Rhayader, Builth Wells and Hay-on-Wye, but the area designated as an AONB surrounds only the 58-mile stretch lower down the river,[39] from just south of the English city of Hereford to Chepstow
    in Wales.
  • Llantysilio Mountain. The highest point in the AONB is Moel Fferna in the Berwyns at 630 m (2,070 ft), but the most popular summit, and prior to 2011 the highest peak, is Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range at 554 m (1,818 ft).[41][42] The AONB is 389 square kilometres (150 sq mi) in land area, increasing from 158 km2 (61 sq mi) before 2011, and it is also a proposed national park
    .
Table of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Wales
AONB / AHNE Photo Established Area Local authorities
Anglesey

(Ynys Môn)

1967 221 km2 (85 sq mi) Anglesey
Clwydian Range and Dee Valley[d]

(Bryniau Clwyd a Dyffryn Dyfrdwy)

1985 389 km2 (150 sq mi) Denbighshire, Flintshire, Wrexham
Gower

(Gŵyr)

1956 188 km2 (73 sq mi) Swansea
Llŷn 1957 155 km2 (60 sq mi) Gwynedd
Wye Valley

(Dyffryn Gwy)

(partly in England)

1971 326 km2 (126 sq mi) Monmouthshire,

England: Gloucestershire, Herefordshire

Proposed areas

River Ceiriog, in the proposed Ceiriog Valley, from the bridge at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.
  • Cambrian Mountains — launched in November 2006, the campaign by Cambrian Mountains Society[43] to make the area an AONB, campaign on the basis that AONB status would "boost the local economy, and help agriculture, heritage and culture".[44] The area's bid to become a national park has been in the works since the 1960s, reaching the Welsh Office in 1973, where it was ultimately rejected. The campaign continues to propose that the area should become a national park, advocating for any type of environmental protection for the area.[45][46][47] Welsh ministers expressed openness to the idea in 2023, however progress on the bid would be delayed to 2026 as ministers focus on a Clwydian Range and Dee Valley national park.[48]
  • Clwydian Range AONB. A final report published in March 2012, concluded that AONB status for Y Berwyn (which includes the Ceiriog Valley) is "desirable for the statutory purpose of conserving and enhancing the area’s natural beauty", but further work is to be done by the CCW to investigate alternatives to AONB status before a final decision is to be made.[49]
  • Expansion of the Gower AONB — first proposed in 2005, the Gower Society calls for an extension of the Gower AONB, and submitted a proposal to the
    National Assembly for Wales in March 2012.[50][51] The Gower Society have also proposed for the AONB to become a national park, however such proposals have not been acted on by the Welsh Assembly Government.[52]
  • AM for Newport East called for the area to be awarded AONB status following the scrapping of the proposed M4 relief road, which if followed through would've passed through the proposed area. Griffiths states that AONB status would protect the area from similar proposals.[53] The Gwent branch of the Wales Green Party sponsored a petition to make the area an AONB.[54]
  • electricity pylons used as an example.[55][56]
  • Mid Wales – In April 2023, a petition was launched for a Mid Wales AONB covering the Upper Wye Valley and the water catchment areas of at least the rivers Irfon, Ithon and Elan.[57][58]

Rating

In November 2021, a Which? review listed Gower as the top-rated AONB in Wales (10th in the UK); followed by Wye Valley (15th), Llŷn (20th), Clwydian Range and Dee Valley (21st), and Anglesey (26th).[59]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ partly in England, sections shaded in a lighter green.
  2. ^ AONBs are translated as Ardal(oedd) o Harddwch Naturiol Eithriadol; shortened to AHNE or AOHNE, in Welsh. (oedd) is the plural.
  3. ^ the review defines "landscape" to include the "natural environment", biodiversity, human settlements, and local culture.
  4. ^ Proposed to become a national park.

Further reading

External links

References

  1. ^ a b "National Landscapes: New name for Areas of Outstanding Beauty". BBC News. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b "National Landscapes - Welcome to National Landscapes". National Landscapes. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  3. ^
    His Majesty's Stationery Office: Ministry of Town and Country Planning. July 1947. pp. 51, 121. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2021.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link
    )
  4. ^ "Bid to make the Forest of Dean an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". The Forester. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e "A Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales: National Parks and AONBs". research.senedd.wales. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Swansea - Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". archive.swansea.gov.uk. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  7. ^ "Llŷn AONB - Facts & Figures". Llŷn AONB. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  8. ^ "Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)". www.anglesey.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  9. ^ "The Wye Valley - The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Beauty". Wye Valley AONB. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  10. ^ WalesOnline (30 December 2010). "North Wales councils plan to extend Clwydian Range Area beauty spot protection". WalesOnline. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  11. ^ "Llangollen and Dee Valley added to Clwydian Range AONB". BBC News. 22 November 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  12. ^ a b c Marsden, Terry; Lloyd-Jones, John; Williams, Ruth (2015). National Landscapes: Realising their Potential — The Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales — Final Report (PDF). gov.wales: Welsh Government.
  13. ^ a b c d e Appendix i—The Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales: Stage One Recommendations (PDF). gov.wales: Welsh Government. 2015.
  14. ^
    National Assembly for Wales Research Service. Archived
    from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  15. ^ a b c Deans, David (30 October 2015). "New taskforce to examine future of Wales' National Parks". WalesOnline. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  16. ^ a b Future Landscapes: Delivering for Wales — The Review of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Parks in Wales (PDF). landscapesforlife.org: Senedd. May 2017. pp. 24–25.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  17. ^ Marsden, Terry. "Final report of Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales published". Cardiff University. Archived from the original on 11 April 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Environment Minister confirms no changes to Designated Landscapes". GOV.WALES. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Plans to rename 'Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty'". ITV News. 24 July 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d Turner, Robin (30 August 2015). "Welsh Government warned against removing Gower's 'outstanding beauty' title". WalesOnline. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  21. ^ "AONB Vs National Landscape: What's in a name?". BBC News. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  22. ^ "New name and look for Cotswolds area". Cotswold Journal. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  23. ^ "New name and logo for AONB". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  24. ^ "National parks principle 'ignored'". Brecon & Radnor Express. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  25. ^ "International status of Wales's national parks and AONBs under threat | The Planner". www.theplanner.co.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  26. ^ Williamson, David (29 July 2017). "Wales' national parks could lose international recognition". WalesOnline. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  27. UK Parliament. 30 November 2000. Archived
    from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  28. ^ "Welsh Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty". VisitWales. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  29. UK Parliament. 30 November 2000. Archived
    from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
  30. ^ "Natural Resources Wales / Types of protected areas of land and sea". naturalresources.wales. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  31. ^ "Home at the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty". landscapesforlife.org.uk. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  32. IUCN
    National Committee United Kingdom. p. 18.
  33. National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 12 November 2010. Archived from the original
    on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  34. City and County of Swansea. May 2005. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  35. ^ "Llŷn AONB (AHNE Llŷn)". landscapesforlife.org.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  36. ^ "Llŷn AONB". Llŷn AONB. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  37. ^ "Welcome to the Llŷn Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". ahne-llyn-aonb.org. Llŷn AONB, Gwynedd Council, Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  38. ^ a b "The Anglesey Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)". Isle of Anglesey County Council. 16 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  39. ^ a b "Our countryside". Wye Valley AONB. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  40. ISBN 978-1-85936-120-7
    .
  41. Clwydian Range AONB
    . Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  42. Clwydian Range AONB
    . Retrieved 13 April 2011.
  43. ^ "A new Welsh AONB?". Cambrian Mountains Society. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  44. ^ "Campaigners call for Cambrian Mountains to get natural beauty status". County Times. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  45. ^ "Calls to create a Mid Wales National Park". Aberystwyth. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  46. ^ Cambrian Mountains – The Heart of Wales; Developing a Strategy for a Sustainable Future (PDF). cambrian-mountains.co.uk: Cambrian Mountains Society. 2006.
  47. ^ "Campaign to give Cambrian Mountains protected status". Cambrian News. 11 April 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  48. ^ "The waiting game for Cambrian Mountains AONB bid". Cambrian News. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  49. ^ Ceiriog Valley and Y Berwyn: Appropriateness of Designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — Final Report on Assessment of Land for Designation (PDF). cambrian-mountains.co.uk: Julie Martin Associates (on behalf of Countryside Council for Wales). March 2012. pp. 5, 50.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  50. ^ "Call for Welsh Government to step in over Gower AONB". ITV News. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  51. ^ Rothwell, C. (30 March 2012). Proposal to extend the Gower AONB (PDF). business.senedd.wales: Countryside Council for Wales.
  52. ^ "Gower national park status call". 9 May 2006. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
  53. ^ "Call for Gwent Levels to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  54. ^ "Make the Gwent Levels an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". actionnetwork.org. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  55. ^ Lewis, Ian (14 April 2023). "Campaign launched for Towy Valley to become Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". InYourArea.co.uk. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  56. ^ "Campaign to name Tywi Valley an area of outstanding natural beauty". South Wales Guardian. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  57. ^ "Petition calls for protection of Powys beauty to combat pylon and turbines plan". Wales Farmer. 25 April 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  58. ^ "Petition calls for protection of Powys beauty to combat pylon and turbines plan". County Times. 22 April 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  59. ^ Bell, Lauren. "Revealed: the best AONBs and scenic areas in the UK". Which?. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
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