The landscape and beauty of the Blackdown Hills are protected in planning, and all public bodies and statutory undertakers must have regard to the area's AONB status in performing their duties.
All AONBs are now under more pressure than ever before. Landscapes are vulnerable to inappropriate and insensitive development, and there are threats increasing traffic, agricultural operations, recreation pressures, housing, mineral and road developments, and structural change in the rural economy. We recognise, however, that protection of the landscape must be balanced with the need to support the social and economic needs of rural communities.
The Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership acts as an adviser to local planning authorities, but we do not prepare statutory planning documents or determine planning applications. Instead we rely on the district, borough and county councils to follow their own AONB planning policies and protect the area's natural beauty from harm.
We are consulted on a variety of planning applications that are likely to have a significant impact on the AONB landscape and features, or which would set a precedent. However, we do not comment on applications which have a limited impact, for example residential extensions.
If you have any queries or questions about how AONB status may affect your development proposals or planning applications, we recommend that you contact the planning department of the relevant local authority.
Useful documents :
Countryside Design Summary - provides guidance on how residential buildings, extensions and alterations can be designed to conserve the distinctive character of the Blackdown Hills.
Blackdown Hills AONB position statement on the A303
Blackdown Hills AONB position statement on large scale commercial wind energy (revised 2007)
National Planning Policy - PPS7 Sustainable Development in Rural Areas
