Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
(AONB)
What is an AONB?
An AONB is an area whose distinctive character and natural
beauty is so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to
safeguard it.
The primary purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and
enhance the natural beauty of the area. ‘Natural Beauty’ is taken
to include geology, climate, soils, animals, communities,
archaeology, buildings, the people who live in it, past and
present, and the perceptions of those who visit it.
The landscapes of AONBs are equal in value to those of our
National Parks and command the same levels of planning
protection.
There are 40 AONBs in England and Wales covering approximately
15% of the land area.
The Malvern Hills AONB – facts and figures
- The area was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
in 1959.
- The Malvern Hills AONB covers 105 square kms. It is 20kms long
and 9km at its widest part.
- 58.52% of the Malvern Hills AONB is in Herefordshire.
- The AONB receives approximately 1.25 million visits
annually.
- Ten different landscape types have been classified throughout
the AONB. These range from the flat, sandy estate lands in the
south to the high hills and slopes of the Malvern Hills
themselves.
- The area contains 14 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
accounting for 10.9% of the AONB.
- The AONB contains a rich historic environment including Iron
Age hill forts, castles, listed parks and gardens and ancient
boundary features.
- The geology of the AONB is internationally recognised through
the European Geopark designation.
Caring for the AONB
Representatives from local authorities, government bodies,
parish councils, landowners, community and voluntary groups form an
AONB Partnership. The AONB Partnership is the only body that has
responsibility of the AONB as a whole. The Partnership does not own
or manage any land but supports those who do and provides strategic
direction and co-ordination for the area as a whole.
Malvern Hills District Council and the Malvern Hills
AONB
- Malvern Hills District Council helps to prepare, publish and
review a management plan for the Malvern Hills AONB.
- In accordance with the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000)
this management plan formulates the Council’s policy for the
management of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and for the
carrying out of their functions in relation to it.
- The Council has a legal duty to have regard to the purposes of
conserving and enhancing the Malvern Hills AONB.
- The Council makes a financial contribution to the operation of
the AONB Partnership each year.
- The AONB Partnership is financially supported by Natural
England, Herefordshire Council, Worcestershire County Council,
Gloucestershire County Council and Forest of Dean District
Council.
Guidance on the use of small scale (domestic) renewable
energy in the Wye Valley and Malvern Hills AONBs
Further information on the Malvern Hills AONB and the AONB
Partnership can be found at www.malvernhillsaonb.org.uk
Malvern Hills AONB Partnership
Malvern Hills AONB Office
Manor House
Grange Road
Malvern
Worcestershire
WR14 3EY
Tel: 01684 560616
