BONDSTONES - Planning & Architectural Consultants
  • Who
    • Meet the team >
      • Ian Firth - Planning & Development Director (MD)
      • Sarah Henderson - Planning & Development
      • Rebecca Firth - Operations Manager
      • Melissa Grange - Executive Assistant
  • What
    • Chartered Surveyors
    • Architecture >
      • Architectural Services
      • Building Regulations
      • CDM 2015 Services
      • CDM Upload
    • Planning Services >
      • Independent Planning Advice
      • Permitted Development >
        • Class Q Conversions
        • Class R Conversions
        • 28 Day notice
        • Temporary Land Uses
      • Change of Use Planning
      • Agricultural Planning
      • Farm & Rural Diversification
    • Glamping & Alternative Accommodation
    • Other Professional Services >
      • Property Consultancy
      • Surveys
      • Aerial Surveys
  • Where
    • Blackdown Hills
    • Cornwall AONB
    • Cranborne Chase AONB
    • Dorset AONB
    • East Devon
    • North Devon
    • Quantock Hills
    • South Devon
    • Tamar Valley
  • How
    • Fixed price - Site Specific Advice
    • Testimonials
    • Provision of Services
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disbursements Policy
  • Recruitment
    • Apprentice Architectural Technician / Surveyor
  • Contact us
    • New Project Enquiry

Planning & Building Design Services for

​The Blackdown Hills
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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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.

Blackdown Hills
Local Planning Authority contacts;

Somerset West & Taunton Council

The Deane House
Belvedere
Taunton
TA1 1HE
​

​0300 304 8000
www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk

Mid Devon District Council

Phoenix House,  
Phoenix Lane,
Tiverton,
EX16 6PP

01884 255255
www.middevon.gov.uk

East Devon District Council

(Main Office)
​Blackdown House, Border Road
Heathpark Industrial Estate
Honiton
Devon
EX14 1EJ

01395 516551
www.eastdevon.gov.uk​

South Somerset District Council

Brympton Way
Yeovil
Somerset
BA20 2HT


01935 462462
www.southsomerset.gov.uk​

Useful Links

http://www.blackdownhillsaonb.org.uk/

Useful information

bhaonbhousing-design-guide_publishedmarch2012.pdf
File Size: 2306 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Areas Covered
01823 210 610
​Devon - Somerset - Dorset
​01326 727 828
Cornwall
​01452 234 934
Severn Counties
​01264 513 813
Hants & Wilts
01372 897 697
​Home Counties
Regulated by THe Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Bondstones is a regulated firm of Chartered Surveyors - specialising in "Town & Country Planning" (emphasis on "country"!) and Architectural Design.  Our head-office is based in the West-Country and we typically work in the geographical area between Lands End and London.  However, on occasion, we also work further afield...

We are extremely proud to be 'Regulated by the RICS' - this means we are a professionally qualified and regulated practice - bound by a code of conduct, strict rules and regulations. This means that we will only undertake work which is directly within our field(s) of expertise and that we are also fully insured (both Professional Indemnity and Public / Employers Liability).

Our team are passionate about architecture and the countryside, its' sustainable future and re-use of rural buildings:  We offer our professional expertise to satisfy a range of rural property issues, including (but not limited to) Planning Consultancy and Architectural Design / Architecture.  Our primary interest is in the delivery of sustainable projects - and particularly the 'change of use' of buildings & land.

Despite our cutting edge offer and market leading output quality, our services are available to all of our customers at surprisingly low rates - especially compared to our competitors.  OK, its true to say you will always find someone cheaper... but isn't that always the way!

Our philosophy is to provide objective advice from the outset - indeed may of our new clients are amazed at the level of advice that we offer at first contact... Our overriding mission is to "quote high and bill low - providing valuable advice and exceptional design - which should delight our clients at every opportunity"

We generally undertake work for:
  • Farmers & Farm Businesses
  • Rural Estates / Estate Managers
  • Equestrian Properties & Businesses
  • Home / Property Owners*
  • Tourism Entrepreneurs
  • Countryside Attractions & Recreation Sites

* Please note that 'small' extensions are not really our cup of tea... However if necessary we would be happy to refer you to a suitable 3rd party specialist.

That said, large, unique extensions and complete 'one off' domestic overhauls really do float our boat... so please get in touch!
The 'Contact Us' bit:
Call us: 01823 210610
Email us: enquiries@bondstones.co.uk

The 'Legal' bit:
Bondstones (1990) Limited - Registered in England No. 8970430

Registered Address:
Hestercombe House
Cheddon Fitzpaine
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 8LG


"Bondstones" is a Registered Trademark used under licence.
Reg'd: UK00003049388
​© 2012 -2020 - All  Rights Reserved - Bondstones 1990 Ltd

​

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Website by Bondstones
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  • Who
    • Meet the team >
      • Ian Firth - Planning & Development Director (MD)
      • Sarah Henderson - Planning & Development
      • Rebecca Firth - Operations Manager
      • Melissa Grange - Executive Assistant
  • What
    • Chartered Surveyors
    • Architecture >
      • Architectural Services
      • Building Regulations
      • CDM 2015 Services
      • CDM Upload
    • Planning Services >
      • Independent Planning Advice
      • Permitted Development >
        • Class Q Conversions
        • Class R Conversions
        • 28 Day notice
        • Temporary Land Uses
      • Change of Use Planning
      • Agricultural Planning
      • Farm & Rural Diversification
    • Glamping & Alternative Accommodation
    • Other Professional Services >
      • Property Consultancy
      • Surveys
      • Aerial Surveys
  • Where
    • Blackdown Hills
    • Cornwall AONB
    • Cranborne Chase AONB
    • Dorset AONB
    • East Devon
    • North Devon
    • Quantock Hills
    • South Devon
    • Tamar Valley
  • How
    • Fixed price - Site Specific Advice
    • Testimonials
    • Provision of Services
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disbursements Policy
  • Recruitment
    • Apprentice Architectural Technician / Surveyor
  • Contact us
    • New Project Enquiry