Trent Sow Parklands and Cannock Chase AONB HS2 Group
“Conserving and enhancing the area’s special character and qualities to provide lasting benefit for its communities”
The Trent Sow Parklands and Cannock Chase AONB HS2 Group is an independent body working with HS2, focused on the area where HS2 will cross the Trent valley north of Great Haywood. The Group is grateful to the Cannock Chase AONB Partnership for hosting their web presence on the AONB’s website. 
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This area contains the washlands at the confluence of the rivers Trent and Sow; the historic designed landscapes of Shugborough, Ingestre and Tixall; 18th and 19th century transport infrastructure; the conservation areas of The Trent and Mersey Canal; Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal; Ingestre, Tixall, Great Haywood and Shugborough, and Colwich and Little Haywood; together with numerous listed buildings, scheduled monuments and environmental designations. Part of this landscape is in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the remainder is an important part of the AONB’s setting.
The Group
The Trent-Sow Parklands and Cannock Chase AONB HS2 Group – ‘the Review Group’ – was established in 2018 during the passage of the HS2 Phase 2a Bill through Parliament. This followed the approval of a proposal put to the HS2 Select Committee by the National Trust on behalf of the Group’s members. The Group exists because its members, including HS2, recognise the particular significance of this area: its rich historic and natural environment, landscape beauty and value to local communities and those from further afield.
The Group’s Members:
Developing Design Principles
The Group has developed a set of general and detailed design principles that can be applied to HS2’s works in the area with the aim of achieving exemplary landscape and viaduct design. HS2 will pass these to the contractor designing the railway and viaduct as part of their instruction.
Advising on and Responding to Designs
As the actual designs of the HS2 Great Haywood Viaduct, Ingestre Green Overbridge, landscape earthworks and planting in the area emerge, the Group will have the opportunity to respond to them, advising on how to achieve the best and most locally appropriate design for the area. This is separate from and additional to the statutory role some of its members have in the planning process.
Funding Environmental Enhancement Projects
The Group has been awarded £1.5 million to spend on projects that conserve and enhance this area’s special qualities. Following consultation with local residents, parish councils and local groups, the Group is drawing up a programme of environmental improvement projects in the local area focused on the themes of: Landscape; Historic Environment; Biodiversity; Access, Enjoyment and Connectivity; and Community.