The Blackdown Hills

Planning & development in and around the Blackdowns;

The landscape and beauty of the Blackdown Hills are protected in planning, and all public bodies and statutory undertakers must have regard to the area's AONB status in performing their duties.

The Blackdown Hills AONB Partnership acts as an adviser to local planning authorities, but unlike National Park Authorities, they do not prepare statutory planning documents or determine planning applications. Instead they rely on the district, borough and county councils to follow their own individual AONB planning policies / guidance in order to protect the area's natural beauty from 'harm'.

The AONB partnership are consulted on a variety of planning applications that are likely to have a significant impact on the AONB landscape and features, or which would set a precedent. However, they do not tend to comment on applications which have a limited impact, residential extensions for example.

Seeking advice...

If you have any queries or questions about how an area's AONB status may influence your own proposals, the AONB partnership are generally obliged to advise you to contact the Local Planning Authority for 'advice'...

Needless to say, if you are unsure about how your proposal may be affected, or if there is anything that you'd prefer not to disclose, we would encourage you to take advice from an independent expert before approaching a Council officer!

The Blackdown Hills
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Blackdown Hills have been protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1991.

The hills form a tranquil, beautiful, and relatively isolated landscape on the Devon and Somerset border. Steep ridges, high plateau, valleys and springs create a charming mosaic of countryside dotted with farms, villages and ancient features.

This special place is home to wildlife and people, with valuable habitats existing alongside living, working communities. Unique geology creates an exceptional environment where rare plant, insect, bird and mammal species can flourish.