AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

COUNTRYSIDE AND RIGHTS OF WAY ACT 2000

DRAFT EAST HAMPSHIRE AREA OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY (REVOCATION) ORDER

Notice is hereby given that under its powers contained in sections 82 and 83(7) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, the Countryside Agency intend to make an Order revoking the East Hampshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (Designation) Order 1962.
The Order would revoke the designation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty of an area of approximately 383 square kilometres in the county of Hampshire. The area was designated by the National Parks Commission by Order dated 26 September 1962. Approximately 382 square kilometres of the AONB would fall within the proposed South Downs National Park, if designated, and it is not appropriate that both designations sould apply. Thus, revoking the AONB Order is a procedural necessity as respects this area of the AONB, should a South Downs National Park Designation Order be made and confirmed.
The remaining approximately 1 square kilometre of the AONB is not currently included within the boundaries of the proposed National Park and would, if those boundaries remain unchanged and the Orders are made, cease to have any designation. This area comprises 6 small parcels of land in various locations that are now (1) developed eg, by buildings or roads, or allocated for development or (2) degraded so as no longer to be in a condition fit to warrant designation or (3) not appropriate boundaries eg, because they cross the middle of a field rather than following the edge.
The Countryside Agency will only make this Revocation Order if it decides to make a Designation Order for the South Downs National Park. The Agency will only then apply to the Secretary of State to confirm this Order if she intends to confirm the Designation Order for the South Downs National Park. The Revocation Order and the Designation Order would take effect at the same time, so there would be no time when the area of approximately 382 square kilometres was not designated.
Representations and objections may be made in relation to the boundaries of the proposed National Park in response to any Designation Order that may be made.
Representations and objections to the de-designation of whole or part of the AONB may be made as set out at the bottom of this notice.
Copies of the draft AONB Revocation Order, together with a map of the AONB, a map of the current proposed national park boundary and a list of the 6 excluded parcels of land may be inspected, free of charge, at the following locations:

The Countryside Agency, John Dower House, Crescent Place, Cheltenham GL50 3RA, between the hours of 9.00 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Friday;
East Hampshire District Council, Planning Reception, Penns Place, Petersfield, Hampshire GU31 4EX, between the hours of 9.00 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Friday;
Hampshire County Council, Planning Department, Reception, Ashburton Court West, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8UJ, between the hours of 8.30 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30 am and 4.30 pm on Friday; and
Winchester City Council, Planning Department, Avalon House, Chesil Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 0HU, between the hours of 8.45 am and 5.00 pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45 am and 4.30 pm on Friday.

Any person who wishes to make an objection or representation concerning the draft Order should write to Sarah Lloyd, The Countryside Agency, Dacre House, 19 Dacre Street, London SW1H 0DH, stating the grounds of their objection or representation. Such objections of representations should be sent to arrive no later than 27 September 2002.
For enquiries relating to this notice please telephone 020 7340 2991.
R Wakeford, Chief Executive, The Countryside Agency
27 August 2002.