The High Weald Management Plan

The advice we give and the policy within the High Weald AONB Management Plan are both supported by evidence.  Detailed research forms the foundation of the Plan, as it evolves and is reviewed, new research and evidence is required to help develop it.  In fact the whole research project is aimed at supporting the features and policies of the Plan.

How we research

We want to make sure all the work we carry out is fit for purpose, so we involve many different people in new research. This means that how we research varies between projects.  Below are a few examples of the different ways in which we might undertake research projects.

Ourselves

We carry out research internally; this could be map-based research using GIS, or gathering and summarising existing research, which may help us to quickly fill a gap in our knowledge. For example, the Historic Field Boundaries research.

With partners

We get together with key partners who may have similar needs to us and carry out research together. For example, the Historic Farmstead Character research.

With specialists

We commission customised research by experts (often academic researchers or specialist consultants) to help us answer a very specific question. These questions will be directly linked to a gap in our knowledge.  For example, the Wind Energy Assessment research.

With volunteers

We work with volunteers and researchers who often have in-depth knowledge about their local landscape.  For example, the Routeways research allows people to contribute their own knowledge, by completing locally led routeway surveys to support the wider understanding of routeways across the whole of the High Weald AONB.

Relevant research

As part of our research, we watch and review advances in national and local policy.  This helps us to:

• ensure our research remains current and fits into the 'bigger picture' - changes in policy could influence the direction our research takes.

• share our research with others and make certain we engage with appropriate organisations.

• ensure our research is compatible with, and supports the aims and objectives of our local partners.  We report regularly to our partners about all of the work we undertake.

Developing research

To find out more about new research projects visit our Current Research section.  If you would like to be involved in a research project or would like some more information about our research program, please contact Ruth Childs.

The legislation for AONB's has never defined what it means by landscape or natural beauty, but their are two useful definitions of the term ' landscape'which we use to help understand what an AONB is.

The European Landscape Convention defines landscape as:

"... an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors"

"A protected area where the interaction of people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character with significant, ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value: and where safeguarding the integrity of this interaction is vital to protecting and sustaining the area and its associated nature conservation and other values."

These definitions include the idea that landscapes evolve through time, and change as a result of natural forces and human exploitation. Human interaction (and in the IUCN approach, traditional types of management) is vital in both definitions and they also recognise that a landscape forms a whole, is holistic, that natural and cultural features are combined.

The European Union recognises the importance of landscapes and in its European Landscape Convention (ELC) sets out an internationally agreed definition of landscape and key actions that countries should follow.

The ELC provides an integrated, holistic approach and international context for landscape, under the headline banner that  "All Landscapes Matter".

The convention is a treaty between states (not an EU Directive) and seeks to influence governments decisions rather than direct them. It  was signed by the UK government in 2006, and came into effect in March 2007.  The key actions are:

• Recognise landscapes in legislation
• Integrate landscape into sectoral and spatial policies
• Identify and analyse landscapes - describing their character and forces and pressures acting on them
• Assess landscapes - considering what contributes to and detracts from their quality and character
• Establish procedures for the participation of the general public and other stakeholders in the creation and implementation of landscape policies
• Define objectives for landscape quality (after public consultation)
• Develop policies for the protection, management and planning of landscapes.
• Monitor what is happening to landscapes
• Increase awareness of the value of landscape
• Promote landscape training and education
• Seek European cooperation

For more information click here  

There are several ways we can be involved with the planning system (see our protocols page) and we are consulted by many local authorities and other bodies such as the Highways Agency and Natural England, on both planning applications and local development frameworks.

 Development Control Information Leaflet (330.58 kB)

We are only able to give advice on how something may affect natural beauty.  This is defined by the High Weald AONB Management Plan 2004, which is also a 'material consideration' in planning applications.

How we comment on and can advise on planning applications is explained in our information leaflet:

planning information leaflet (330.58 kB)

You should always talk to the planning department at your Council about local planning issues.

For general advice on the planning system, please visit the national planning portal

Protocols are agreements between the High Weald Joint Advisory Committee and other stakeholders.

The protocols for planning say when and how the High Weald AONB Unit will engage with the planning process. We have a general planning protocol with the local authorities which says how we will comment on planning applications they are deciding, and arrangements for commenting on planning policy (see below). We are also developing a protocol with Natural England to agree how we will liase with them.  This is likely to be agreed in the summer 2010.  Click here to request further information.

Statement on the High Weald AONB Unit and JAC's Involvement in the Planning Process

17th November 2004

Development Control

Where a request is received for comment on planning applications which the AONB Officer considers to be significant then the AONB Unit will liaise with the relevant local authority/(ies), prior to commenting on the planning application and will copy all responses to the local authority/(ies). If comment is made directly by an officer without consideration by the Joint Advisory Committee then the Officer will attach the following sentence:

This letter contains the professional views of (relevant AONB Unit Officer) on this matter and not the views of the High Weald AONB Joint Advisory Committee. The officer responding will ensure that their name and qualifications appear as a prefix to the letter.

Planning Policy Documents

The Local Planning Authorities are requested to notify the High Weald AONB officer of all relevant Planning Policy documents as they are produced for consultation. These include: County Structure Plans, Joint County Structure Plans, Unitary Development Plans, Minerals Local Plans, Waste Local Plans, District Local Plans (or any such replacement policy documents), associated review and scoping studies/reports and appropriate or relevant documents that are being prepared or have been adopted such as Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Upon receipt of relevant details the High Weald AONB JAC will undertake to respond to consultations within 21 days or longer if agreed.

The High Weald AONB JAC requests that it be kept informed of the outcome of all planning applications and planning policy processes on which it has made comments.

Section 85 requires that all public bodies such as Councils, government departments, schools etc, have to consider how what they do will affect the AONB.  This includes any actions or powers they have which may affect the landscape.

Natural England, the government advisor, has published detailed guidance on how Section 85 works and can be downloaded here:

Duty of Regard NE Guidance (1.4 MB)

The South East Plan is the governments planning policies that cover our region.  The Plan covers the whole range of planning issues but includes specific policy for AONB's:

POLICY C3: AREAS OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL BEAUTY

High priority will be given to conservation and enhancement of natural beauty in the region’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) and planning decisions should have regard to their setting. Proposals for development should be considered in that context. Positive land management policies should be developed to sustain the areas’ landscape quality. In drafting local development documents, local planning authorities should have regard to statutory AONB Management Plans.

In considering proposals for development, the emphasis should be on small-scale proposals that are sustainably located and designed. Proposals which support the economies and social well being of the AONBs and their communities, including affordable housing schemes, will be encouraged provided that they do not conflict with the aim of conserving and enhancing natural beauty.

This sets the regional level aims for how AONBs should be considered in the planning system, but each local authority will have its own local policy as well.  For more detail on the South East Plan please see the following links:

PLEASE NOTE.  The new government has revoked the RSS.  Please click here for further details

Regional assembly pages

Government Office SE

The government sets out most of its planning 'rules' in what are called planning policy statements, known as PPS.  PPS4 is very important for rural areas and sets out an integrated approach to planning for economic development.  It also replaces significant areas of PPS7 (see here).   The main points of PPS4 are:

• to ensure that the countryside is protected for the sake of;
  
  • its intrinsic character and beauty,
  • the diversity of its landscapes, heritage and wildlife,
  • the wealth of its natural resources, and
  • to ensure it may be enjoyed by all.
• In rural areas to strictly control economic development in open countryside away from existing settlements
• and sets the rules for;
  
  • conversion and reuse of existing buildings,
  • replacement buildings in the countryside,
  • farm diversification, and
  • equine and other leisure activities.

PPS4 includes many rules for how economic development should be managed in rural areas and the full text can be viewed here.  PPS4 should be read together with PPS7 and you should take expert advice in using these guidance.

The government sets out most of its planning 'rules' in what are called planning policy statements, usually known as PPS.  PPS7 is the most important one for the countryside and AONB's in particular.  Called "Sustainable Development in Rural Areas" it sets out a range of regulations for rural planning issues, but in particular sets the top level planning rules for AONB's:

• AONB's have the highest status of protection in relation to landscape and scenic beauty
• the conservation of natural beauty is given great weight in planning policies
• major developments should not take place in AONB's, except in exceptional circumstances

The full text of PPS7 can be found here.

Recently the government issued a revision of PPS4 which changed and replaced many parts of PPS7.  Please see our page on PPS4 here.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (often known as the CROW act) was very important for AONB's.  It set a range of new rules and requirements for AONB's as well as bringing other rules and regulations up to date.  It includes measures which:

• reaffirm the primary purpose of AONBs - to conserve and enhance natural beauty
• set a legal duty for public bodies  to have regard to the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty
• requires local authorities to prepare a statutory management plan for AONB's
• introduced Conservation Boards to help manage AONB's, and
• gives local authority powers to act in support of natural beauty

The Act sets the legal framework under which AONB's are set up and run, and is fundamental to all our work.  The Act builds on and  updates the original law which created National Parks and AONBs, the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

Click  Part IV, CRoW Act 2000 (86.03 kB) to download Part IV of the act which deals with AONB's.

To see the whole of the 2000 act click here.

To view the 1949 act click here

Please seek profesional or expert advice in relation to the requirements and measures contained in national legislation.