OXFORDSHIRE'S Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) could be expanded.

The Government has launched a review into all 34 AONBs and 10 National Parks to decide whether to expand them, give them greater protection or even create new ones.

In Oxfordshire, parts of the landscape are protected by AONBs in three areas: the North Wessex Downs, covering land south of Wantage and Didcot; the Chilterns AONB in the area south east of Wallingford, and the Cotswolds AONB which covers Burford, Charlbury and Chipping Norton.

In recent years, the Campaign to Protect Rural England Oxfordshire branch has raised concerns about thousands of homes being built on these protected areas, calling into question the entire designation.

CPRE Oxfordshire director Helen Marshall has repeatedly pointed out that building in AONBs is only supposed to be allowed by government under 'exceptional circumstances', but despite this local councils have allowed it on several occasions.

Now the government has asked for people's comments and feedback in its review.

Residents can have their say at consult.defra.gov.uk/land-use/landscapes-review-call-for-evidence/ before December 18.