Surrey Hills Management Plan draft consultation

Thank you to everyone who took part in our Postcards from the Future campaign and Shaping the Future survey in 2024. We received over 200 postcards and 1,000 survey results!

By using these submissions and working with experts in the field, we have now drafted our Surrey Hills Management Plan 2025 - 2030. This Management Plan looks beyond the next five or ten years and sets out a long-term vision for the Surrey Hills as a thriving National Landscape for the next century.

We are now asking for your feedback on this current draft.

Our Management Plan has been divided into 5 Parts. You can download each Part from our website below. Or visit the website here.

This consultation closes on Friday 6 June. You can also use this word document to submit your views in an alternative format.

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* 1. Your name

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* 2. Are you responding as an individual, group or organisation?

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* 3. Part 1. The Introduction to National Landscapes
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This sets the scene regarding the 1949 Act, the National Landscape designation, the status of the Management Plan and the Core Principles at the heart of securing the long-term vision.

Do you have any comments to share on Part 1. The Introduction to National Landscapes?

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* 4. Part 2. The Surrey Hills National Landscape.
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This includes the Statement of Significance as to why the Surrey Hills is designated as a National Landscape, the pressures and threats, and the outstanding qualities that need to be conserved and enhanced.

Do you have any comments to share on Part 2. The Surrey Hills National Landscape?

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* 5. Part 3. The 75-year Vision
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This includes the vision statement for 2100 for Nature, People and Climate arising out of the Postcard from the Future engagement process. It includes an appraisal of the past, present and future to set out the Targets for each theme and the proposed Strategic Priorities that need to be delivered over the next 75 years.

Do you have any comments to share on Part 3. The 75-year Vision?

Part 4. The Policy Framework for 2025 – 2030.
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This sets out the policy objectives that will guide Responsible Bodies on their statutory duty, under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, to further the purpose of the designation.

The Policy Framework includes:
  • Arts and Cultural Heritage
  • Biodiversity and Water Resources
  • Economy, Tourism and Community Development
  • Farming
  • Planning
  • Recreation, Health and Wellbeing
  • Transport
  • Woodlands, Hedgerows and Veteran Trees
Please share any comments you have on the Policy Framework below. You do not need to respond to every policy area.

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* 6. Arts and Cultural Heritage

Do you support the following policy aim?

The artistic and cultural heritage that defines the distinctive sense of place within the Surrey Hills is recorded, protected, managed and celebrated

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* 7. Do you agree with the following policies for Arts and Cultural Heritage?

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
AC1: A historic perspective of how the Surrey Hills landscape has evolved will be promoted, including its traditions, industries, buildings and settlement patterns.
AC2: Heritage assets, including historic buildings, archaeological sites and historic parks and gardens, will be conserved, managed and recorded.
AC3: Development proposals will have due regard to the locally distinctive character of rural settlements and the setting of historic buildings.
AC4: The rich artistic and craft traditions of the Surrey Hills will be promoted and celebrated.
AC5: New artistic interpretations of the landscape and its heritage will be commissioned with the involvement of local communities to inspire and engage new audiences and to leave a legacy that enhances the Surrey Hills.

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* 8. Biodiversity and Water Resources

Do you support the following policy aim?

We will enhance the biodiversity of the Surrey Hills by creating and restoring wildlife rich habitats, trees outside woodlands, hedgerows and the ensure more protected sits are in favourable condition.

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* 9. Do you agree with the following policies on Biodiversity and Water Resources?

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
B1: Designated sites (SSSIs, SPAs & SACs) within and connecting to the National Landscape will be conserved, enhanced & managed to ensure that all such sites are brought into or maintained in ‘favourable’ condition.
B2: The importance of designated sites and the need for their protection and management will be promoted to the public through information and awareness campaigns.
B3: Important habitats, such as chalk grassland and heathland, will be managed and promoted in ways that conserve and enhance their nature conservation and cultural value.
B4: Opportunities will be taken to restore, extend and link habitats for nature recovery through the creation of new habitats and corridors to establish a multi-functional landscape which helps to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
B5: The enhancement of biodiversity will be maximised through the targeting of advice and grants for nature friendly farming that supports the delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
B6: Opportunities to deliver biodiversity net gain and off-setting in the National Landscape to meet planning conditions or legal agreements will be promoted, when appropriate.
B7: Water Catchment Management Plans and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy will conserve and enhance the ecological value of river corridors, wetland habitats and water quality to protect biodiversity and enhance the environmental and landscape quality of the Surrey Hills.

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* 10. Economy, Tourism and Community Development

Do you support the following policy aim?

The Surrey Hills is an attractive place to live, work and invest where local businesses contribute to the conservation and enhancement of the area’s natural beauty

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* 11. Do you agree with the following policies on Economy, Tourism and Community Development?

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
E1: The Surrey Hills as a National Landscape will be managed as a destination for sustainable tourism and responsible recreation.
E2: Initiatives that promote and market Surrey Hills products and services that support a thriving rural economy and communities, and contribute to the conservation of the natural beauty of the area, will generally be supported.
E3: The provision and retention of affordable social housing for local people and key workers will be supported, in line with Policy P7.
E4: Initiatives that result in affordable and reliable community transport and infrastructure for recreation, employment and access to local services will be supported.
E5: Opportunities to develop land management and conservation skills through vocational training, volunteer work and paid employment will be identified and actively promoted.
E6: Greater awareness of the Surrey Hills National Landscape will be supported in order to foster a pride of place that encourages community members and visitors to take action to protect, enhance and enjoy its landscape.

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* 12. Farming

Do you support the following policy aim?

Farming plays a positive role in maintaining the outstanding and diverse character of the protected landscape, contributes to nature recovery goals, and plays a part in reducing the risk of, and mitigating the effects of, climate change

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* 13. Do you agree with the following policies on Farming?

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
F1: Farming as a viable and sustainable enterprise, within and around the National Landscape, will be supported through the development of initiatives consistent with good management of land, where this makes a positive contribution to increasing biodiversity and conserves or enhances landscape character.
F2: Advice and financial assistance through the environmental land management schemes will be provided to encourage land management practices which conserve and enhance the landscape and contribute to addressing the dual challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
F3: Farm diversification schemes will be supported where they help to maintain and enhance the special landscape character of the Surrey Hills, have a demonstrable, positive amenity impact, lead to an increase in biodiversity and contribute to the vitality of the Surrey Hills.
F4: Major development leading to a loss of farmland will normally be resisted unless an overriding public interest can be demonstrated.
F5: A wider public understanding and awareness of farming practice will be promoted where this encourages and supports the creation and maintenance of the outstanding landscape character and a naturally richer Surrey Hills.

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* 14. Planning

Do you support the following policy aim?

Development conserves and enhances local character and the environmental quality of this nationally important protected landscape and its setting.

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* 15. Do you agree with the following policies on Planning?

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
P1. In balancing relevant planning considerations associated with determining development proposals great weight will be attached to any adverse impact upon the amenity, landscape beauty and nature of the National Landscape and the requirement to seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the National Landscape.
P2. Development must respect the special landscape character and nature of the locality, giving particular attention to potential impacts day and night on hillsides, ridgelines and relative tranquility. The proposed use and color of external building materials must harmonize with its related landscape and avoid buildings being incongruous.
P3. Development proposals will be required to be of high quality design, respecting any local distinctiveness and complementary in form, setting and scale with their surroundings and should take any opportunities to enhance their setting. The design of suitable residential or commercial conversions of rural buildings should respect the original rural functional character of the building.
P4. Trees and woodlands being an established and essential characteristic of the Surrey Hills National Landscape are unlikely to be accepted as an argument for screening a development in its own right. Additional reasoning and justification which demonstrates that development will conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the National Landscape will be needed.
P5. Development that would fail to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the National Landscape will be resisted even when well screened. In line with national policy and the Levelling-Up and Regeneration 2023, where overriding exceptional circumstances clearly exist, the impact should be mitigated aimed at there being no residual harm.
P6. Farm diversification proposals in character with the National Landscape and financially necessary to enable the long-term continuation of the farm holding and which may also benefit the social and economic well-being of the local community will be supported. Any landscape harm should be adequately mitigated.
P7. The residential or commercial conversion of redundant rural buildings of substantial long-term construction should conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the National Land scape and may be acceptable provided they would have no harmful visual impact or activity on the protected landscape compared to its original use. Proposals should demonstrate there will be no need as a result to replace any buildings to be converted in order to manage related land.
P8. Any development proposals to redevelop or convert farm buildings or provide for an equestrian use, that would result in farm fragmentation or other loss of the associated farmed landscape or render it unviable, will be resisted.
P9. Small scale rural exception schemes for affordable housing to be legally maintained in perpetuity, will be supported within or on the edge of villages where there would be no harm to the landscape or which can be satisfactorily mitigated.
P10. Development proposals will need to demonstrate through accordance with the guidance note published by the Institution of Lighting Professionals on the Reduction of Obtrusive Light, how light pollution affecting the darker skies, wildlife and habitats of the National Landscape will be avoided, including obtrusive external lighting and internal light spill from extensive glazing within proposed domestic, commercial and other premises.
P11. Renewable energy projects will be supported where it can be clearly demonstrated they would not harm the natural beauty of the Surrey Hills National Landscape.
P12. Development outside the boundary of the Surrey Hills National Landscape that would adversely impact its setting by harming public views to or from it, or which would generate harmful additional traffic flows along its country lanes, should be resisted.

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* 16. Recreation, Health and Wellbeing

Do you support the following policy aim?

The Surrey Hills will be promoted and cherished as a National Landscape that provides opportunities for all members of society, including those currently excluded through physical, social or economic barriers, to fully enjoy the natural environment in order to benefit their health and wellbeing

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* 17. Do you agree with the following policies on Recreation, Health and Wellbeing?

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
R1: Activities that enhance people’s health, enjoyment and understanding of the Surrey Hills will be encouraged, whilst conserving or enhancing the landscape character and biodiversity.
R2: The Surrey Hills will be promoted through a range of campaigns to encourage a diversity of visitors to have the opportunity to enjoy the National Landscape
R3: Significant viewpoints and vistas across the National Landscape will be identified, conserved and enhanced with easier access that inspire and engage new audiences to appreciate and enjoy the Surrey Hills.
R4: The design and development of new visitor facilities, and the maintenance of existing facilities, will have regard to the needs of people of all abilities and social backgrounds to access and enjoy the Surrey Hills landscape.
R5: Recreational activities in the Surrey Hills will be managed to minimise potential conflict with sensitive habitats - in accordance with the Sandford Principle - whilst contributing to people’s enjoyment of the area and supporting the rural economy.
R6: The impact of dogs will be managed through sensitive signage and practical land management measures to reduce the impact on farming and sensitive habitats, particularly ground nesting birds.
R7: Measures that seek to improve and maintain green infrastructure or reduce visitor impact on local communities and protected ecosystems will be supported. These may include: improvements in rights of way networks; surfacing, signage and fencing; measures to mitigate the effect of increased visitor numbers.
R8: Activities that prescribe the benefits of nature for treating mental and physical health will generally be promoted and encouraged within the Surrey Hills as a place for nature.

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* 18. Transport

Do you support the following policy aim?

Transport proposals do no harm to the rural character and tranquillity of the protected landscape, and provide a range of safe and sustainable, low carbon travel alternatives.

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* 19. Do you agree with the following policies on Transport?

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
T1: Measures that increase opportunities to access and enjoy the Surrey Hills by public transport, walking and cycling will be supported, in accordance with the Sandford principle.
T2: The impact of development proposals on the surrounding Surrey Hills road network, including any highway mitigation measures, will be given great weight when assessing the acceptability of the development.
T3: Design and enhancement of the rural road network will be expected to conserve and enhance the National Landscape through a variety of techniques - including the use of speed limits and traffic regulation orders - in order to improve connectivity and safety for vulnerable road users, and in order to influence the behaviour of road users in a manner that protects public safety and enhances enjoyment of the special features of the protected landscape.
T4: Transport infrastructure and associated landscaping, including verge management, will seek to respect and enhance the local landscape quality, character and biodiversity, and improve safety for vulnerable road users.
T5: Decisions on major transport infrastructure should attach great weight to the importance of National Landscape designation, and ensure that any adverse impacts should be mitigated and compensated, in order to minimise net impact on the protected landscape.
T6: Roads and verges will be enhanced and protected from damage caused by excessive vehicle use and uncontrolled parking, with opportunities sought for verges to be maintained as wildlife corridors
T7: Highway and transport signage should promote the character and sense of place of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, enhancing its special qualities.

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* 20. Woodlands, Hedgerows and Veteran Trees

Do you support the following policy aim?

Woodlands, hedgerows and veteran trees are sustainably managed and linked together in order to conserve and enhance the landscape, ecological, archaeological and recreational value of the wider Surrey Hills landscape

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* 21. Do you agree with the following policies on Woodlands, Hedgerows and Veteran Trees?

  Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
W1: Woodland owners and managers will be supported to manage all woodlands, hedgerows and veteran trees that contribute to the landscape character, biodiversity, natural flood management and cultural heritage of the Surrey Hills.
W2: Markets and infrastructure to support forestry and woodland management will be identified, promoted and supported.
W3: The wider importance of trees and woodlands and the need for their management, including disease and pest control, will be promoted through the provision of advice, information on grant schemes and public awareness campaigns.
W4: The benefits of woodland scrub and removing inappropriate trees and secondary woodland, particularly for the restoration of heathland and chalk grassland, will be promoted in order to improve biodiversity and enable the reinstatement of views.
W5: Opportunities will be taken to extend and link woodland and hedgerow habitats, including agro-forestry, for landscape connectivity, mitigating and adapting to climate change and to restore nature.

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* 22. Part 5. The Delivery Strategy
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This includes guidance to Responsible Bodies, a Surrey Hills Charter for wider society, and the role of the Surrey Hills Board, Strategy Groups, Partnership, the Brand Strategy and the monitoring of the targets.

Do you have any comments to share on Part 5. The Delivery Strategy?

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* 23. Are there any organisations you think should be part of a new Surrey Hills Partnership that will be responsible for delivering the Management Plan?

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* 24. Thank you for completing this feedback form for our Surrey Hills Management Plan draft. We appreciate your time and effort in responding to the document. Your comments are invaluable in helping us shape a thriving future for our National Landscape.

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