National and Regional policy for AONB 's set the top level 'rules' for what can and can't be done in an AONB. The most important of these are:
- The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000
- The European Landscape Convention european agreement
- National Government Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 4
- National Government Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 7
- The Regional Spatial Strategy, The South East Plan
Local authorities all prepare their own planning and council wide policies, such as Sustainable Community Strategies and Local Development Frameworks (in particular Core Strategies). You should refer to your councils website for details of these





