The countryside service

South Oxfordshire contains some of the most beautiful countryside in England. Nearly half of the district has been designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty, with the wooded hills of the Chilterns and the rich grasslands of the North Wessex Downs.

The district also contains one of the highest concentrations of sites of nature conservation importance in the county, with over 150 known sites, ranging from internationally important woodlands to protected road verges.

The relationship between the natural heritage of the district and its population is vitally important; the interaction of man and nature is the force that has shaped much of the landscape as we know it today. With over 65 per cent of the population living in its rural areas, this relationship continues to be of key importance in helping to secure the future of the countryside.

The countryside team:

• are responsible for providing specialist advice on nature conservation and biodiversity enhancement in relation to planning applications.  For more information please visit the Ecology and Biodiversity Advice for Developers page.
• provides advice and help to organisations and individuals seeking funding towards projects that aim to secure a more healthy and sustainable countryside
• provides advice on nature conservation and land management issues to individuals, groups, land owners and land managers
• provides funding to partner organisations that aim to deliver services that benefit the district's natural heritage
• enhances the biodiversity value of the council's own land holdings
• provides a countryside forum to discuss relevant issues
• organises events to increase people's understanding and enjoyment of the countryside

The countryside team is involved in a variety of other areas of work and is constantly looking for new and innovative approaches to tackling some of the major issues affecting the countryside of South Oxfordshire.