Environment - Natural Beauty

AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

In late-January our local nature group – the Canons Farm & Banstead Woods Bird Group (CFBWBG) heard that the boundaries of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) were under review and the north-east part of one possible extension area – EA7 – was effectively our recording “patch”. Our website can be found at: Canons Farm & Banstead Woods Birds (cfbwbirds. blogspot.com) and the AONB extensions map can be found at: Surrey Hills AONB Boundary Review – see (surrey-hills-aonb-boundary-review.org).

A roe deer doe at bluebell time in Banstead Woods.

A misty morning view from Stoney Nob looking over to the eastern side of Kingswood.

The deadline for the first submission of “evidence” as to why an area should qualify for AONB status was January 31. I compiled a file detailing relevant facts about all aspects of our “patch” and submitted this to the AONB review body, along with the best part of 50 photographs showcasing the remarkable flora, fauna and landscapes of the area. Hopefully, the full document will be easily found on the CFBWBG website, with the photographs, two taster photographs can be seen above.

So, why does this matter? Surely Banstead Woods and the chalk downland adjacent to The Ramblers Rest are protected anyway? That may be the case. However, an opportunity may arise in future for the landowner – an offshore property development company – to attempt a change of land use on Canons Farm and its precious patches of woodland. The marvellous landscape could thus be lost for ever. Getting AONB status – which is only one rung below National Park status – would almost certainly stop that, so that the area would be protected for generations to come. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful piece of varied countryside on our doorstep. It provides endless healthy leisure opportunities for people and their children. In addition, an incredible diversity of flora and fauna – some of it nationally important – thrives with the landscape in its present form. The adjudication process has a year or more to run and there may be other opportunities to make your views heard. If you see these opportunities, please take them and support the cause of redesignating this area an AONB.

Ian Magness

Ian has lived in Forest Drive for 24 years and brought up 2 daughters there – now young adults. Armed with binoculars and a camera and accompanied by his dogs he can be seen out in the area in question on almost a daily basis.