In his 'On the Mark' column in The Forester of September 4, Mark Harper stated that currently he could not support the designation of a Forest of Dean AONB.

He claimed it would have the effect of inhibiting regeneration, and it would threaten Freemining and the future of the Verderers.

The responsibility for designating AONBs rests with Natural England. They will make assessments against their Designations Strategy which states that the purpose of an AONB is the conservation and enhancement of the area's natural beauty. The intention of designation is certainly not to set the area 'in aspic', but to provide recognition that an area is nationally important for the quality of its environment and to promote its socio-economic development in a sustainable way.

In drawing up boundaries the major settlements would be excluded and planning would remain the responsibility of the district council. Mr Harper can also sleep soundly without fear that a Forest of Dean AONB would be a constraint on employment opportunities.

Evidence from other AONBs suggests that the reverse would be true and that designation would be good for business with the high quality and well managed environment acting as a catalyst for new work opportunities. A recently published assessment of the economic value of the Cotswolds AONB provides excellent evidence of this effect.

As to the risk to our cultural heritage, the Designation Strategy specifically mentions the asset importance of cultural heritage and local traditions. In no way would designation prevent the historic rights and traditions we enjoy continuing; be they free mining, sheep badgering, or anything else.

The same holds true for the Verderers. If anything, a Forest of Dean AONB ought to raise their profile, not least because it is likely they would have a key role in the management of the AONB, in the same way as they do in the New Forest National Park.

Colin Evers

Westbury-on-Severn