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The Lower Wye Valley was designated an Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in
1971. One of 41 AONBs across England and
Wales, it is unique in straddling the English
and Welsh border. It covers 326 square
kilometres (128 sq miles) in three counties –
Herefordshire (46%), Monmouthshire (36%)
and Gloucestershire (18%).
The landscape of the Wye Valley AONB is
dominated by the River Wye and can be
divided into two sections:
in the northern section the river meanders
through the Old Red Sandstone of the fertile
Herefordshire lowlands;
from Goodrich southwards the Wye cuts
through a plateau of uplifted Dolomitic
Limestone producing a spectacular gorge clad
in ancient semi-natural woodland.
The AONB, being 65% farmland and 27%
woodland, is particularly rich in natural
habitats. This is reflected in the 45 Sites of
Special Scientific Interest, three National
Nature Reserves and three European Special
Areas of Conservation (SAC). The renowned
ecologist Dr George Peterken stated that "as a
predominantly wooded environment, the Wye
Valley is more fundamentally natural than
virtually all the other AONBs and National
Parks in the UK". The AONB is equally rich in
historic and cultural association with 85
Scheduled Ancient Monuments and the Wye
gorge registered as a landscape of outstanding
historic significance.
A specially constituted committee known as a
Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) manages the
AONB. This is a strong partnership of national,
regional and local organisations and agencies.
The JAC directs the work of the team of
dedicated staff that make up the AONB unit.
The AONB unit hosts Topic Groups to draw on
the expertise of a wide range of interested
officers and organisations.
Throughout the year the JAC undertook a
review of the management and governance of
the Wye Valley AONB, with a range of
recommendations being considered including
the restructuring of the AONB unit and
increasing parish and community council
representation on the JAC.
The Lower Wye Valley was designated an Area
of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in
1971. One of 41 AONBs across England and
Wales, it is unique in straddling the English
and Welsh border. It covers 326 square
kilometres (128 sq miles) in three counties –
Herefordshire (46%), Monmouthshire (36%)
and Gloucestershire (18%).
The landscape of the Wye Valley AONB is
dominated by the River Wye and can be
divided into two sections:
in the northern section the river meanders
through the Old Red Sandstone of the fertile
Herefordshire lowlands;
from Goodrich southwards the Wye cuts
through a plateau of uplifted Dolomitic
Limestone producing a spectacular gorge clad
in ancient semi-natural woodland.
The AONB, being 65% farmland and 27%
woodland, is particularly rich in natural
habitats. This is reflected in the 45 Sites of
Special Scientific Interest, three National
Nature Reserves and three European Special
Areas of Conservation (SAC). The renowned
ecologist Dr George Peterken stated that "as a
predominantly wooded environment, the Wye
Valley is more fundamentally natural than
virtually all the other AONBs and National
Parks in the UK". The AONB is equally rich in
historic and cultural association with 85
Scheduled Ancient Monuments and the Wye
gorge registered as a landscape of outstanding
historic significance.
A specially constituted committee known as a
Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) manages the
AONB. This is a strong partnership of national,
regional and local organisations and agencies.
The JAC directs the work of the team of
dedicated staff that make up the AONB unit.
The AONB unit hosts Topic Groups to draw on
the expertise of a wide range of interested
officers and organisations.
Throughout the year the JAC undertook a
review of the management and governance of
the Wye Valley AONB, with a range of
recommendations being considered including
the restructuring of the AONB unit and
increasing parish and community council
representation on the JAC.
The Management Plan
Progressing the new AONB Management Plan
was a key area of work for the AONB unit and
JAC. This is a statutory requirement for the four
Local Authorities under the Countryside and
Rights of Way Act 2000, which was delegated to
the JAC. A high level of input into the plan was
sought from partner organisations and those
living and working in the AONB. The work took
place in a number of stages.
Firstly the AONB Topic Groups reviewed the
1992 Management Plan and other AONB
strategies. Then the AONB unit hosted 14 public
meetings to seek issues and inform people about
the aims of the Management Plan. Over 160
people attended the meetings. A questionnaire
was available at the meetings and in Picturesque,
our newsletter, asking people about the best and
worst aspects of the AONB and features requiring
conservation or enhancement. Over 130
questionnaires were returned.
In January 2003 the JAC took part in a seminar to
discuss the first draft of the management plan and
consolidate their ownership of the plan.
Raising awareness and support
Increasing public and political awareness of the
Wye Valley AONB and national protected
landscape policy was an important area of work.
This ensures that the AONB is appreciated and
cared for in years to come.
Andrew Blake, the AONB Officer, represented
the Wye Valley AONB on several national and
regional fora including the West Midlands
Forest Forum and the AONB Staff Forum
Steering Group to ensure that the needs of the
AONB were taken into account.
Raising awareness and support for the AONB
amongst local businesses, our partners,
individuals and visitors was achieved in a
number of ways:
Articles in the local press helped increase
attendance at AONB events, and highlighted
the useful work the AONB does in the
community;
The bi-annual newsletter "Picturesque" was
sent to 3,500 local contacts;
"Outstanding" and "AONB News", the
magazine and newsletter of the National
Association for AONBs, was distributed to
key local politicians and partners;
The Wye Valley AONB website was
launched. It contains information about the
AONB, the landscape, its wildlife, the
cultural influences and industrial heritage, as
well as a list of AONB publications;
The Wye Valley AONB was explained in
tourist publications such as "Explore the
Forest of Dean and Lower Wye Valley;"
The "Symonds Yat Guide and Map" was
reprinted due to popular demand;
The Wye Valley bilingual logo was installed
at Forest Enterprise Wales key sites;
Many talks about the AONB were given
throughout the year to groups as diverse as
Chepstow Rotary Club, the Herefordshire
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
(FWAG), Trellech Village Produce Society
and Shirenewton Primary School.
Future work
The AONB unit continued to progress two
significant partnership bids for grant aid to
conserve and enhance the natural beauty of
the area. A two million pound scheme to
safeguard the picturesque, industrial and
archaeological heritage of the AONB was
discussed with the Heritage Lottery Fund.
A one million pound scheme for the
management of the SAC ravine woodlands
was submitted for EU LIFE-Nature funding.
After some reworking this was successful and
is likely to commence in 2003.
The Environment Development
Fund (EDF)
The Environment Development Fund is
funded by the National Assembly for Wales
and administered by the Countryside Council
for Wales. It provides an opportunity for local
communities in all AONBs in Wales to apply
for grant aid for innovative, sustainable
environmental projects. £38,500 was
distributed to 23 projects in the Welsh part of
the AONB, as outlined below.
Wye Valley Walls
The Wye Valley Walls project is led by the
AONB unit. The aim is to involve local
people in recording, conserving and enhancing
the distinctive dry stone walls in the area. The
project was launched in Monmouthshire and
was such a resounding success that it was
extended into Gloucestershire. Over 100 Dry
Stone Wall Survey Packs have been sent out
to volunteers, and 11,074 metres of wall have
been surveyed. The next stage is to train
local enthusiasts to repair damaged or
dilapidated walls.
Renewable energy
The AONB unit commissioned a feasibility
study on renewable energy projects that could
benefit the environment and the community
whilst preserving the natural beauty of the
area. The study looked at solar energy,
sustainable wood fuel, hydro power, wind
power and biogas from organic waste. Local
community consultation followed and Liz
Price, AONB Special Projects Officer,
successfully launched a Wye Valley Solar Club
with two information evenings in Devauden
and Brockweir, attended by 44 people. This
promotes solar water heating systems through
local support for DIY installations and bulk
discounts on systems. Support came from the
Forest of Dean District Council and EDF.
Further studies and consultation were
undertaken on the viability of small scale
hydro-electric plants on the Angiddy and
Whitebrook tributaries of the Wye.
Wye Valley Walk
The Wye Valley Walk is a significant but
underutilised local environmental and
recreational asset running the length of the
AONB. Andrew Blake, the AONB Officer
chaired the Wye Valley Walk Partnership
throughout the year. The official launch of the
24 mile extension of the walk to the source of the
river in Powys took place in Rhayader in
September and involved Ashley Thomas and
Councillor Christopher Grover, Herefordshire
Council Cabinet Member for the Environment
and local Assembly Members.
The AONB unit coordinated the donation of a
boulder by Hansons Aggregates from Livox
Quarry and its exchange with a boulder from
Plynlimon. The two stones now mark the ends
of the Wye Valley Walk at Chepstow Castle and
in Hafren Forest.
A new full-colour official route guide to the 136
mile Wye Valley Walk was published by the Wye
Valley Walk Partnership which comprises
Herefordshire Council, Monmouthshire and
Powys County Councils, the Wye Valley AONB
and the Forestry Commission in Wales.
Wye Valley Graziers
The Wye Valley Graziers are a group of
livestock farmers in the Wye Valley. The
AONB unit supported the group by overseeing
the production of "The Sustainable Wye Valley
Livestock Feasibility Study" in partnership
with English Nature, FWAG and the
Herefordshire Partnership. The report
highlighted the benefits of sustainable grazing
to the environment and the historic landscape
as well as outlining the problems livestock
farmers in the Wye Valley are facing.
Woolhope Dome Project
The AONB unit were key partners with English
Nature, Herefordshire Nature Trust and Forestry
Commission in the Woolhope Dome Project. A
new Project Officer, Rob Havard, was appointed
and co-ordinated a number of activities and
training events for landowners in woodland and
grassland management.
Environment Development
Fund partnership work
Work in schools
The EDF supported projects at Trellech,
Llandogo and Shirenewton Primary Schools.
The AONB Community Links Officer
provided advice and assistance.
Work included a sensory sculpture trail at
Llandogo, developing a nature trail and organic
garden at Trellech and provision of seating
made from locally sourced timber in a natural
amphitheatre at Shirenewton.
Local history
AONB staff assisted Monmouthshire County
Council with activities organised throughout
the year around the carving of three wooden
statues of local historical figures, such as
King Offa, at Old Station Tintern. Over 200
people attended the activity days which
informed children and adults about the
influence of the figures on local history.
The project was supported by the EDF.
April 2002
Publication of "Discover Wye Valley on
Foot and By Bus" booklet;
"Picturesque" the AONB newsletter
produced and 3,500 distributed;
Lower Wye Valley Deer Management
Group Survey sent out;
Two public meetings took place
regarding the management plan;
The Wye Valley Wanderer Bus service,
subsidised by the AONB, commenced;
May
Guided walk: Past and present crossings
of the River Wye, Hoarwithy;
Seven public meetings took place
regarding the management plan;
Solar club launched in Monmouthshire
Wye Valley AONB website launched;
June
Guided walk: Woodland and river
meander;
Five public meetings took place
regarding the management plan;
July
Publication of The Sustainable Wye
Valley Livestock Feasibility Study for
the Wye Valley Graziers;
Joint Advisory Committee AGM,
Ashley Thomas elected Chairman;
Guided walk: the Stone Stroll;
August
AONB stand in Countryside Matters
Marquee at Monmouthshire Show;
Guided walk for children: the ugly
bug safari;
Launch of Wye Valley Walls project at
Catbrook, Monmouthshire;
September
Solar club launched in Gloucestershire;
JAC tour of Wye Valley AONB
including visiting Stowfield quarry,
polytunnels in Herefordshire and
controversial developments in
Ross-on-Wye;
Official launch of completed Wye
Valley Walk in Rhayader;
Training for Solar Club members on
installation of solar water heating;
October
"Picturesque" the AONB newsletter
produced and 3,500 distributed;
Guided walk around Little Doward;
November
Andrew Blake, AONB Officer,
talked at FWAG meeting;
Joint Advisory Committee met;
December
Winter wildlife walk at St Briavels;
January 2003
Joint Advisory Committee Seminar
held to discuss management plan;
Wye Valley Walls Walk;
February
Sharon Chillcott, Information Officer
and Catherine Fookes, Development
Officer, joined AONB office;
Willow weaving workshop;
Livox non-native roadside trees
removed to benefit local community
and views (supported by EDF);
March
AONB co-ordinated funding
application to EU LIFE-Nature on
"Ravine Woodlands" is successful;
Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) met;
Out-going Chairman of JAC,
Councillor Bart Venner awarded hand-turned
oak salver;
Woolhope Dome Deer Management
Group Survey sent out;
The revised Wye Valley Walk Route
Guide published and distributed;
Frog March in March guided walk
for children;
Launch of Wye Valley Walls project at
Brockweir, Gloucestershire.
Throughout the year the 782 planning applications were made in the AONB.
The AONB viewed 52 and commented on eight.
Who’s Who
The Joint Advisory
Committee
Local Authorities (Voting)
Forest of Dean District Council
Councillor B Venner MBE
Councillor W F Williams
Gloucestershire County Council
County Councillor B Hobman
County Councillor G Gittos
Herefordshire Counc il
Councillor W J S Thomas (Vice-Chairman)
Councillor G W Davis
Councillor Mrs R F Lincoln
Councillor Mrs J E Pemberton
Monmouthshire County Council
Councillor P R Clarke
Councillor R L G Cass
Councillor Mrs G Eburne
Councillor H D Spencer
Co-opted members (Voting)
Council for the
Gloucestershire Countryside
Mr J Josephi
Council for the Protection of Rural
England (Herefordshire Branch)
Mr R Price
Country Land & Business
Association
Mr S W B Dereham
Gwent Committee for the
Environment
Mr A Thomas (Chairman)
National Farmers Union
Mr J Hardwick
Co-opted members (Non-voting)
Central Council for
Physical Recreation
Mr C Palmer
Gwent Wildlife Trust
Mr J Branscombe
Lower Wye Valley
Preservation Society
Dr G Peterken
River Wye Preservation Trust
Mr S W B Dereham
Wye Valley Tourism
Mrs A Cooke
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