• About the AONB

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• Designation of Malvern Hills AONB
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Designation of the Malvern Hills AONB

The Malvern Hills Area was designated as an AONB in 1959. The Malvern Hills AONB was the ninth AONB to be designated in England and Wales. It is also the eighth smallest, comprising a total of 105 square kilometres.

The definition of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is:
'a precious landscape whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation's interest to safeguard them.'

What is Natural Beauty?

'The natural beauty of AONB'S encompasses everything - 'natural' and human - that makes an area distinctive: geology, climate, soils, plants, animals, communities, archeology, buildings, the people who live in it, past and present, and the perceptions of those who visit it.' 'Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plans - A Guide (CA 23)'

The purpose of AONB designation

The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance natural beauty. This primary purpose was reaffirmed in a 1991 policy statement on AONBs. (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: A Policy Statement 1991, CCP356). The statement also identifies subsidiary purposes which should be taken into account in pursing the primary purpose. These include:

- a socio- economic purpose: 'account should be taken of the needs of agriculture, forestry, other rural industries, and the economic and social needs of local communities'.

- a purpose to have regard to the principles of sustainable development: 'Particular regard should be paid to promoting sustainable forms of social and economic development that in themselves conserve and enhance the environment'.

- a purpose to have regard to the needs of recreation: ' the demand for recreation should be met insofar as this is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty'.