Why planning is important to us
National Landscapes are designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) – which means they are landscapes whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them. The statutory purpose of AONB designation is to conserve and enhance their natural beauty. Each AONB has been designated thanks to its identifiable ‘special qualities’. These include the flora, fauna, historical and cultural associations as well as landscape and scenic views.
Special planning considerations apply in the Cotswolds because the planning system protects AONBs to conserve and enhance their natural beauty.
We view the planning priorities as the conservation and enhancement of landscape and scenic beauty, and the conservation of wildlife and cultural heritage. Whilst there is a need for development, there is also a need to protect the most special places: precious wildlife habitats, as well as tranquil, historic, and beautiful parts of the countryside.
Who we work with
The Cotswolds National Landscape boundary encompasses multiple planning authorities, including district and borough councils, county councils, and unitary authorities. These have the responsibility for housing allocations and development decisions through planning policy and development management functions. Like all public bodies, local authorities have a legal duty to ‘seek to further’ the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB.
However, it is not only local planning authorities that make decisions on development and the construction of infrastructure across a National Landscape. Some decisions can be made by central government departments and its agencies, and some development can be undertaken by certain infrastructure providers under statutory powers granted to them. Much development can take place at varying scales, by farmers, businesses and homeowners without needing to apply for planning permission.
Our planning team regularly works with local planning authorities, government agencies, infrastructure providers, and individual property owners in an advisory role. We bring a thorough understanding of local landscape character, sensitivities, and the capacity for accommodating change. We comment as consultees on emerging plans and major planning applications, and we prepare guidance for householders, architects, and developers.
Our influence
Our Board does not have any direct powers over planning and development: we do not write plans and we do not make decisions on planning applications. Instead, we aim to work constructively with those who do write rules and plans, or make decisions.
How we influence
- We publish advice and guidance, which can assist councils and others who are writing plans or making decisions on the practical ways in which development can be managed to conserve or enhance the Cotswolds. This guidance is also helpful for property owners and developers in preparing their schemes, and to communities who might want to offer their observations on development proposals.
- We work constructively with stakeholders, including nationally; and our county, district, town, and parish councils. We aim to support communities who are participating in the planning system, especially those producing neighbourhood plans.
- Consultation responses. A lot of our work on influencing planning rules, policies and decisions is achieved by responding to consultations, sometimes with other organisations.
What we influence
- National legislation and policy: reforms of the planning system and other relevant legislation, changes to the National Planning Policy Framework, updates to government’s good practice guidance.
- Regional strategies for housing, transport, and infrastructure.
- Local plans: local planning authorities produce statutory plans for general development, minerals extraction, waste recycling/disposal and transport provision.
- Neighbourhood plans: plans produced by individual communities.
- Development proposals and planning applications and other site-specific proposals.