Review of National Parks and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Government commissioned a review of National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).

This was published in September 2019 with the recommendation that these newly crowned ‘national landscapes’ be given a strengthened role in the planning system. The Government responded to that review in January. 

Commenting on the suggested changes, David Churchill, Partner at Carter Jonas in London, says,

‘Securing a better funding solution for national landscapes is critical for supporting the decision-making process that affects these areas. The National Parks have planning powers, whilst the AONBs do not. Ideally, more resources would allow AONB teams time for discussion about the role of development within these areas. Currently, there tends to be resistance to any form of major development within the AONBs, often because there is so little time or resources available for rational debate about the potential benefits a proposal might bring. If a revenue stream from development within the AONBs was made available, it could result in a better overall result for all parties. Any measures that result in better discussion being facilitated is better for us all. 

‘One solution may be to secure planning obligation payments from developments within AONBs – controversial it may be, but a tariff-based system could be the way forward. 

‘To illustrate this, we are promoting a piece of land, within an AONB, which was severed by a major road over 20 years ago and has limited environmental value. Council planners have been reluctant to even engage with us because the site technically lies within an AONB - despite the proposed scheme potentially enhancing the wider connections to the AONB including car parking and an information centre. Additionally, limited resources seem to be preventing the AONB board from engaging with us. 

‘The review and the Government’s consultation on implementing the review provides an opportunity for a discussion on this topic: one which could lead to better funded, better informed (in terms of the wider needs of the area and extent of opportunities) teams engaged in the process. The key stumbling block (as always) is funding. This is a ‘chicken and egg’ situation: development is a very good source of funding for the public sector, and yet the public sector needs more funding in order to engage effectively. Allowing development where development would be advantageous opens up the opportunity for a local authority to engage more effectively in the future.’

Click here to view the Government review