​Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs

Planning for development in or around Cranborne Chase And West Wiltshire Downs

The landscape and beauty of Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs is protected, when making a decision all public bodies and statutory undertakers take into consideration the AONB status of the area and the effect the proposed plan will have on the landscape, flora and species in the area before coming to a decision.

It is important to note the the Cranborne Chase And West Wiltshire Downs AONB (CCWWD AONB) are not a planning authority, and therefore cannot intervene on small applications, and so individual planning enquiries should be taken up with the local planning authority. The CCWWD AONB only acts as an adviser to the local planning authorities, but unlike National Park Authorities, they do not prepare statutory planning documents or determine planning applications.

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.

If you have any queries or questions about how the AONB status of the land may affect development proposals or planning applications, the AONB partnership are obliged to advise you to contact one of the Local Planning Authorities for direct advice...

Needless to say, if you are unsure about how your proposal may be affected, we would encourage you to take advice from a local, independent planning expert before approaching the council...

Cranborne Chase And West Wiltshire Downs
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The AONB of Cranborne Chase And West Wiltshire Downs was established in 1981 and is responsible for conserving and maintaining this protected area that in 2009 was identified by the Forestry Commission an Ancient Woodland Priority Area, and has the same level of protection as a National Park.

The landscape of Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire downs is remarkably varied, ranging from scarp chalk slopes and streams, to vast open plains of flora, to centuries old forests that are home to over 160 species of lichen. In September 2015 this area applied to be recognised as one of the few remaining Dark Night Sky areas in England, giving it the title and recognition as an International Dark Sky Reserve, making it essential to keep the (light) pollution in this area down, so the starry skies of this AONB can be seen and appreciated for many years to come.

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.