Historic England and AONBs sign joint statement to conserve and celebrate iconic historic environment
England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Historic England have today signed a joint statement outlining their ambition and intent to work together to conserve and enhance the historic and cultural environment of England’s 34 AONBs.
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) are protected by the nation for everyone in recognition of their unique characteristics. AONBs cover 16% of the land area of England and include such iconic places as Fountains Abbey, Willie Lott’s Farm (as seen in Constable’s Haywain) and many of the tin mines of Cornwall. While these familiar buildings are recognisable examples of England’s distinctive heritage, there is much more that goes into making a place. This joint statement is a commitment to preserving and celebrating the heritage of England’s most distinctive places.
AONBs are living and working landscapes and the joint statement also represents a commitment to those communities. Caring for their exceptional heritage does not mean preserving these places ‘in aspic’. Archaeology shows us how these landscapes have changed through history. Further evolution is inevitable as populations shift, our climate changes and agriculture responds to global pressures. Well-managed heritage has a beneficial effect on local communities, boosting the local economy, providing employment and attracting visitors from home and abroad.
We often think of landscape as a pretty view, but much rich history underpins what we see. Centuries of interaction between people and place influence local nature, industry, culture and language; together these particular combinations of factors create unique and special places.
Ivinghoe Beacon - a late bronze age to early iron age hillfort. Photo by Chris Smith
Archaeology shows us how these landscapes have changed through history. Further evolution is inevitable as populations shift, our climate changes and agriculture responds to global pressures. Well-managed heritage has a beneficial effect on local communities, boosting the local economy, providing employment and attracting visitors from home and abroad.
Pann Mill, High Wycombe
Philip Hygate, Chair of the National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty said:
“I am delighted that we can make this joint statement alongside our colleagues at Historic England today. A visit to an AONB is a wonderful experience, an opportunity to see a real, working landscape with modern day relevance wearing its history on its sleeve. These places have been shaped by human endeavour, with waves of people joining communities to shape and contribute to their development for centuries. From the lime kilns of Arnside and Silverdale AONB to the thatched roofs of the Cotwolds, these places are distinctive and special, and it is our duty to conserve and celebrate them for generations to come.”
Patrick Norris, Chair, Northumberland Coast AONB Partnership said:
“This comprehensive statement will play a significant role in the conservation of our shared historic environment, exemplified by the landscapes of our 34 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The statement allows for an inclusive and a diverse approach to our shared historic environment. It will encourage all communities to explore and discover precious historical assets in the AONB network and beyond. It places the historic environment fully alongside scenic and landscape quality, natural and cultural heritage, relative wildness and tranquillity in AONBs.”
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