Quantock Hills. An Area of Outstanding Beauty

In terms of planning policy what kind of things is the Landscape Planning Officer involved in?

The Landscape Planning Officer:

• Responds to consultations on changes to national policies likely to influence the AONB (this is done through consultation initiated by the National Association of AONBs).

• Consults on emerging strategies, policies, development plans/local development documents at appropriate stages (to help ensure consistency high levels of protection for the AONB)

• Develops landscape and planning related Objectives and Actions Points for the AONB Management Plan

• Leads on the production and promotion of AONB-specific guidance that will influence planning policy and provide a useful tool to inform development management decisions e.g. landscape character assessments and associated landscape strategies, and design guidance.

In terms of Development Management (formally Development Control) what kind of things is the Landscape Planning Officer involved in?

The Landscape Planning Officer:

• Responds to consultation requests from LPAs on specific planning applications. For some applications e.g. those considered likely to have a significant adverse impact on the AONB, a site visit may be made.

• Looks at the weekly lists of applications submitted to the LPAs (when resource allows) to check that the AONB Service has been consulted.  A document entitled ‘Guidelines for referral of Planning Applications’, written as part of a Planning Protocol (currently a Draft document), has been prepared.  These guidelines will act to reduce the need for checking weekly lists in the future. 

Does the AONB Service monitor planning applications?

Yes, the AONB Service does monitor planning applications but the process of monitoring is in its infancy.  We are logging applications, noting our responses, checking and recording the planning decision and plotting this onto a GIS system.  The purpose of monitoring is to identify trends in planning e.g. types of applications, numbers, locations etc.  This information will then inform our work in the future - how we respond to applications and the types of guidance documents we produce.

I live within the Quantock Hills AONB and wish to make a planning application, where should I go for advice?

Your first port of call should be your Local Planning Authority which, if you live within the hills, will be Sedgemoor District Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council, or West Somerset Council.  Each of these Planning Authorities has a dedicated planning section on their websites, offering a range of useful information such as:

• Whether you need planning permission for the plans/works you are considering.
• How to get advice before making a planning application (pre-application advice).
• How to apply for planning permission.
• Searching for planning applications on line (past and present).
• Useful policy and background information.

The links to the LPA planning pages are below:

Sedgemoor District Council:
http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2700

Taunton Deane Borough Council:
http://www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/irj/public/services/directory/service?rid=/guid/50a7b39f-0934-2c10-d885-9d8dd3361a14

West Somerset Council:
http://www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/template3.asp?pid=1010&area=2

If you do not have access to the internet, you can telephone the LPA and ask to speak directly to a Planning Officer or call in to the Council offices where they have Planning Receptions.

For general information on planning, a very useful resource is the Government’s Planning Portal website. See http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/

There is also a dedicated section – “Planning, Building and the Environment” – on the Communities and Local Government website. See: http://www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding/

A planning application has been submitted within the AONB.  I have concerns/want to find out more.  Where should I look?

You can search on line for planning application details, again via your LPA’s website using the links above.  Once you have found the application, the supporting documentation is likely to be available to view, download and save.  If you do not have regular access to the internet you can always contact your LPA by phone or visit their planning reception.

I want to comment on a planning application. How do I do this?

You can submit comments to the LPA and view comments that others have submitted (individuals and organisations) in respect of the same application.  For directions on how to do this, you can contact your LPA or visit their website.  If you are concerned that the AONB may not have been consulted and you feel the application may threaten the character and quality of the Quantock Hills landscape, please do call the AONB Service office and ask to speak to the Landscape Planning Officer.

Your comments and/or objections will hold greater weight if they are backed up by approved policies and guidance.  Comments from individuals will be properly considered by a Planning Officer so do not be deterred from submitting comments as you may make a valid, ‘material consideration’ that others may have missed.

What types of response does the AONB Service make in respect of applications?

The AONB Service will consider all aspects of the application – type of development (e.g. commercial, domestic, conversion, agricultural), scale, style, location e.g. prominent hillside.  These factors will be considered on an individual basis as well as collectively so as to make a judgment on likely impact on the landscape. 

In most cases the AONB Service will submit comments and/or questions to the planning officer - offering guidance to inform the planning decision but also prompting consideration of specific issues that may not have been picked up on. 

Where the AONB Service believes an application would have significant adverse impacts on the AONB, objections will be made. 

The AONB partnership is made up of the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) with other interested organisations including: National Trust, RSPB, English Heritage and Police.

The Joint Advisory Committee forms a tight executive, acting as a watchdog for the AONB Service.  The AONB Service reports to the JAC at least 4 times a year, papers for which can be downloaded from this site.
The JAC is made up of our 5 core funders, Natural England, Somerset County Council, West Somerset Council, Sedgemoor District Council and Taunton Deane Borough Council.  Parish Council representatives for Spaxton, Nether Stowey, West Bagborough and Holford, and the following organisations: Forestry Commission, Friends of Quantock, Country Land & Business Association, Somerset Access Forum and Government South West.

The AONB partnership produces a Managment Plan, which is a strategic document.  This plan looks at how we would like to see the Quantock Hills in the next 20 years.  It also looks at what work needs to be undertaken to achieve this vision.  The AONB partnership works together to carry out this work. 

The AONB Service is tasked with ensuring that this works occurs, which may be through lobbying, monitoring and undertaking projects. By lobbying national and local government, and also organisations such as the National Trust we can ensure their policies will help to conserve the AONB rather than detract or damage the landscape.  A wide range of monitoring is undertaken by the AONB Service from wildlife surveys through to planning applications to ensure there are no damaging activities occurring on or near the AONB.  Various projects may include the recent Long-eared owl survey, which led to the enhancement of our knowledge of their population and nesting sites.  Further details can be found in the Management Plan.

Download SCC's public notice by clicking here

Find out the Quantock Hills AONB Service position on the disposal of land by SCC by clicking here

If you have any queries please contact SCC Property Services on Tel: 01823 355325