Planning for development in or around the North Devon AONB

The landscape and beauty of North Devon is protected in planning, equal to that of a National Park, and so all public bodies and statutory undertakers must have regard to the area's wildlife and AONB status when determining an outcome. 

The North Devon 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 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. 

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If you have any queries or questions about how the AONB status 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...

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North Devon AONB
​An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The North Devon has been protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1949.

The isolated coastal haven of North Devon AONB contains miles of uninterrupted, beautiful views of diverse coloured fauna and seemingly timeless features, with inordinate views over the Bristol channel. This abiding landscape is also home to a vast number of rare species, including one of Europe's most endangered bat species, Stonechat birds and red deer.

This special place is home to a mix of  wildlife and people, with valuable habitats existing harmoniously alongside living, working communities.

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Local Planning Authority Contacts;

Devon County Council

Environment Directorate,
Lucombe House,
County Hall,
Exeter
EX2 4QW

01392 382275

https://new.devon.gov.uk/planning/

North Devon District Council

Planning and Development,
Civic Centre,
Barnstaple
EX31 1EA


​01271 388288

http://www.northdevon.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/

Torridge District Council

Planning and Technical Services,
Riverbank House,
Bideford
EX39 2QG

01237 428700

http://www.torridge.gov.uk/plans

Useful Links

http://www.northdevon-aonb.org.uk/