Expansion is heading for the Surrey Hills

BOUNDARY OF COUNTY BEAUTY SPOT COULD BE EXTENDED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ALMOST 70 YEARS

- By CHRIS CAULFIELD Local democracy reporter

THE Surrey Hills could be expanded for the first time since it was first designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty almost 70 years ago.

The Surrey Hills National Landscape boundary has remained the same since it was first introduced in 1958, but throughout that time there have been calls locally to reconsider increasing the beauty spot's borders.

Some of the land that lies next to the Surrey Hills is currently classed as Areas of Great Landscape Value by councils to recognise its value at a county level.

Now, Natural England is exploring whether to formally include 129 square kilometres of these areas into the Surrey Hills National Landscape, following a series of consultations on the proposed extensions.

The first took place in 2023 with 1,518 people taking part, a second held in 2024 received more than 375 responses.

Natural England’s report read: “The evidence provided through the first consultation process presented strong arguments to include additional land in the Surrey Hills.

“Following the decision to add further land to the proposal, a second round of consultation was required in accordance with our duties under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.