In the same period the loss of some of the most protected and special natural areas in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, known as national landscapes, reached 12 sq km; equivalent to 1,680 football pitches worth of natural land. The UK was among the countries to lose the highest proportion of green space compared to its geographic size. The investigation revealed the significant scale of building on beauty spots designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty, now known as national landscapes in England and Wales. Huge tracts of national landscapes are being taken for development, the data suggests, despite restrictions on the development of these natural areas. skip past newsletter promotion Sign up to Down to Earth Free weekly newsletter The planet's most important stories.