Designation - About the downs


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Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

In 1949 the Government decided to protect areas of beautiful countryside as a valuable asset to be handed on to future generations. Many National Parks were designated but there were other areas of equally valuable and distinct landscape where extensive outdoor recreation provision would not be appropriate, these areas have been designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The three main purposes of AONB designation are:

to conserve and enhance natural beauty
in pursuing this main objective account should be taken of the needs of agriculture, forestry, other rural industries, and of the economic and social needs of local communities
the demand for recreation should be met in so far as it is consistent with the conservation of natural beauty and the needs of agriculture, forestry and other uses.

Do you live in the Kent Downs AONB area?
If you are not sure then click on the attached link to the Kent Lifescape Information System to check your address.
1) Click on 'Map'.
2) Under Step 1 select postcode.
3) Type in your postcode and select 'go'
4) Click on Designated areas under Step 3 and select 'Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty'.

	NAAONB National Association for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (NAAONB) was formed to promote and maintain some of the finest areas of stunning scenery that Britain has to offer.

	Natural England Working to conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of current and future generations.

	Defra Find out more about Defra

	CRoW Act The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (also known as CRoW) amended the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. It created a new statutory right of access to open country and registered common land, modernised the rights of way system, gave greater protection to Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), provided better management arrangements for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), and strengthened wildlife enforcement legislation.