Planning

The Countryside Commission set the following framework for these areas in Heritage Coasts in England: Policies and Priorities (1992)23: The finest stretches of coast justify national recognition as Heritage Coast. They should be given effective protection and management: stronger measures should apply there than elsewhere. The main objectives for Heritage Coasts are: To conserve, protect and enhance the natural beauty of the coasts, including their terrestrial, littoral and marine flora and fauna, and their heritage features of architectural, historical and archaeological interest. To facilitate and enhance their enjoyment, understanding and appreciation by the public by improving and extending opportunities for recreational, educational, sporting and tourist activities that draw on, and are consistent with, the conservation of their natural beauty and the protection of their heritage features. To maintain, and improve (where necessary) the environmental health of inshore waters affecting Heritage Coasts and their beaches through appropriate works and management measures.

To take account of the needs of agriculture, forestry and fishing, and of the economic and social needs of the small communities on these coasts, by promoting sustainable forms of social and economic development, which in themselves conserve and enhance natural beauty and heritage features. Both Heritage Coasts include large areas inland of the coastline and extend approximately 2km out to sea, so extending the interests of this management plan to the marine environment. The National Planning Policy Framework states that major development within a Heritage Coast is unlikely to be appropriate, unless it is compatible with its special character.

What is the National Landscape’s role in planning?

The National Landscape Team, with the help of the National Landscape Planning Officer, uses our Management Plan, which is a material planning consideration, to inform and offer guidance and advice to the Local Planning Authority, which is the Isle of Wight Council (LPA) on strategic policy matters affecting the National Landscape. In addition, they comment on planning applications within or affecting the National Landscape. Reference will still be made to the AONB designation in planning comments as this remains the designation as set out in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It remains the responsibility of the LPA to assess and determine planning applications. Under Section 85 of the CRoW Act the LPA have a duty to ‘further the purposes’ of the AONB in their decision making. The primary purpose of the AONB is to conserve and enhance natural beauty.

Do you offer pre-application advice?

Yes, we do, and it’s free. Please contact us on unit@isleofwight-nl.org.uk

What materials should I be using for my project?

In a lot of cases, the use of traditional materials is the most appropriate external material, however more information can be found in our materials guidance document.

I want to object to a planning application in the National Landscape, how do I do it?

All comments on a planning applications should be directed to the Local Planning Authority which is the Isle of Wight Council at www.iow.gov.uk (opens in new window). We cannot object on anyone else’s behalf.

Are you supportive of renewable energy production?

At a domestic scale we are very supportive of renewable energy production. Larger scale renewable energy schemes within the National Landscape can often be harmful to the natural beauty of the landscape.

What are you looking for when you assess an application?

We are looking for an obvious consideration that the development is within a nationally designated landscape. That means consideration of its scale in relation to its locality and setting. How the development prevents light pollution and impacts upon tranquillity. Ensuring it doesn’t harm any of the special characteristics of the National Landscape, which include; historic environment, wildlife, trees, archaeology, is fundamental to any successful planning application.

Do you have Planning Policies?

Our Management Plan is a statutory document reviewed every 5 years and sets out the Policies and Objectives of the National Landscape. The Isle of Wight Council adopt this plan and it is a material planning consideration when determining planning applications. There are some policies within it that we use in our planning responses. In addition, we provide comments to the Local Planning Authority on strategic planning documents and are looking forward to a dedicated AONB Policy within the Island Planning Strategy (once this has been finalised). We also respond to Government consultations in relation to changes to the planning system.

Why do you still call it AONB in your planning comments?

Because in law, under the CRoW Act 2000 we are still an AONB. The name National Landscape came about as part of the Landscapes Review and has been adopted by all the AONB’s in England and Wales.

What is Landscape Character Assessment (LCA)?

Landscape Character Assessment is the process of identifying and describing variation in character of the landscape. LCA documents identify and explain the unique combination of elements and features that make landscapes distinctive by mapping and describing character types and areas. They also show how the landscape is perceived, experienced and valued by people.

Will the boundary of the National Landscape/AONB ever be changed?

The issue of the extent and boundary of the Isle of Wight National Landscape is raised with the National Landscape Team on a regular basis and often as a response to concerns over development or other change in a local area outside of the designation. The responsibility for changes to the boundary of a National Landscape rests with Natural England. The process to undertake a review of a boundary would be based upon the Local Authority for the area, in our case the Isle of Wight Council, carrying out significant amount of preparatory work (see first three points below) to provide the basis for the consideration of the same by Natural England.  The stages involved in such a review can be broadly summarised as follows:

• Purpose – Does the proposed area fully meet with the statutory purpose of AONB designation?  Is there a requirement to conserve and enhance its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural significance through designation?
• Evidence – What strength of documentary evidence is there to back up a claim that an area is of sufficiently high landscape quality to warrant special national status?  For example is there a professional Landscape Character Assessment for the area based upon the national recognised methodology?  Is there strong historic documentary evidence confirming that the landscape has not been overtaken by detrimental landscape change?
• Public Benefit – This would require an examination of the range and scale of public benefits associated with the proposed boundary change. This goes beyond landscape conservation and recreation provision and could encompass environmental protection, tourism benefits, business opportunities building on the special qualities of the area, and many other areas.
• Priority – With the above criteria satisfied Natural England would then be able to pursue a boundary change at their discretion, and in doing so would consider a fourth criterion of priority.  This would require consideration of any factors that made the case under consideration a higher priority than others.      

The Natural England and Isle of Wight Council representatives of the AONB Steering Committee have confirmed that as the above process is likely to be lengthy and expensive, (due to the requirement to undertake research, preparatory work and consultation) it is unlikely that any proposal for an extension of the current Isle of Wight AONB boundary would be seen as a priority for resources.

Glossary

AONB – Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the legal name for the designated landscape.

CRoW Act 2000 – The Countryside and Rights of Way Act

LPA – Local Planning Authority

LCA – Landscape Character Assessment

LVIA – Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

National Landscape – The area name for the AONB

NPPF – National Planning Policy Framework: Sets out government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied