Cheshire Sandstone Ridge AONB
Evaluating the Sandstone Ridge for potential AONB status
Cheshire, UK
Gillespies is leading the landscape planning assessment for Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge, supporting Natural England in exploring its potential designation as a new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Gillespies was appointed by Natural England to assess whether Cheshire’s Sandstone Ridge should be designated as a new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a move that would provide lasting protection for one of the county’s most distinctive and valued landscapes.
Standing prominently above the surrounding plain, between the Mersey Valley and the county boundary with Shropshire, the Sandstone Ridge is one of Cheshire's most distinctive landscapes. The area covers 230sq km of rolling hills and sandstone escarpments and is rich in Natural beauty, biodiversity and cultural heritage. The 55km Sandstone Trail runs along the ridge, affording panoramic views to Merseyside, the Shropshire Hills, the Peak District and Welsh Hills, which show the strong contrast in landscape character and topography between the ridge and its surrounding plain.
Our role has been to carry out a comprehensive landscape evaluation, combining GIS analysis, fieldwork, and wide-ranging stakeholder engagement, to assess whether the Ridge meets the rigorous national criteria for AONB designation.
In May 2024, following our recommendation that the area meets these criteria, the Natural England Programme Board approved the project to move forward to the next stage, subject to internal clarifications.
Natural England is now undertaking a Desirability Assessment, which will determine whether formal designation is the most appropriate route for the Ridge. This phase includes informal engagement with stakeholders and further evidence gathering. Once this assessment is complete, there will be a review period to present findings to the Natural England Programme Board. If approved for further progression, the project will move into a detailed boundary-setting stage and following that, a full public and statutory consultation will take place. At this point, Natural England will publish proposed boundaries, maps, and supporting technical documents for public review and comment.
Natural England is the government’s statutory adviser on landscapes in England, with duties and powers to conserve and enhance landscapes that include the designation of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The designation process takes several years, and is a collaborative process, including local stakeholders at every step.
Project details
Title
Cheshire Sandstone Ridge AONB
Client
Natural England
Status
Ongoing
Project team
Gillespies
Gillespies team
Sarah Gibson, Jim Gibson, Helen Johnson
Photography
Gillespies