BONDSTONES - Rural Planning & Architectural Consultants
  • Who
    • Meet the team >
      • Accounts & Management >
        • Fuchsia Harmon - PA to Management
        • Melissa Carpenter - Accounts
        • Ian Firth - MD
      • Rural Planning >
        • Sarah Henderson - Rural Planner & Regional Business Manager
        • Annalise Page - Assistant Planner
      • Architectural Services >
        • Jennifer Craig - Architectural Technician
        • Ian Firth - Development Director / MD
  • What
    • Fixed price - Site Specific Advice
    • Chartered Surveyors
    • Architecture >
      • Architectural Services
      • CDM 2015 Services >
        • CDM Upload
      • Building Regulations
    • Planning Services >
      • Independent Planning Advice
      • Pre-App Advice
      • Permitted Development >
        • Class MA - permitted change of use; commercial premises to dwelling houses
        • Class Q Conversions
        • Class R Conversions
        • Class ZA - New dwellings - demolition and replacement of commercial buildings
        • 28 Day notice
        • Temporary Land Uses
      • Change of Use Planning
      • Agricultural Planning
      • Farm & Rural Diversification
    • Glamping & Alternative Accommodation
    • Other Professional Services >
      • Property Consultancy
      • Surveys
  • Where
    • Blackdown Hills
    • Cornwall National Landscape
    • Cranborne Chase National Landscape
    • Dorset National Landscape
    • East Devon National Landscape
    • North Devon Coast
    • Quantock Hills
    • South Devon National Landscape
    • Tamar Valley
  • How
    • Our Mission
    • Testimonials
    • Provision of Services >
      • Deposit Tariff
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disbursements Policy
  • Recruitment
    • Wanted! >
      • Senior Planner
      • Rural Planner - Specialist
      • Architectural Assistant (Pt 2)
    • Recent Appointments >
      • Apprentice Architectural Technician / Surveyor
    • Notice to agencies
  • Examples, Sites & Consultations
    • Case Study: H²Ouse
    • PLANNING CONSULTATIONS >
      • Somerset Call For Sites 2025
    • Old Mill - Case Study (about us!)
  • Contact us
    • New Project Enquiry

Planning Advice & Architectural Design Services for:

The Quantock Hills
National Landscape

Formally The Quantock Hills An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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Planning & development in and around the Quantock Hills;

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

The National Landscape partnership is responsible for the Quantock Management Plan, which is a strategic document.  The plan looks at how the Quantock Hills are likely to be shaped and influenced in the coming years and influences stakeholders in planning and development projects.

The National Landscape Service is tasked with ensuring that the plan is implemented, this may be through lobbying, monitoring and undertaking projects. By lobbying national and local government, and also organisations such as the National Trust the partnership can ensure their policies will help to conserve the National Landscape rather than detract or damage the landscape. 

A wide range of monitoring is undertaken by the National Landscape Service from wildlife surveys through to planning applications - their aim being to assure that there are no damaging activities occurring on or near the National Landscape.

Branding confusion: AONB's vs National Landscapes

Despite serving its purpose for decades, in the Autumn of 2023 the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) designation was rebranded by Government to 'National Landscape'...

Following the Glover Review and years of internal consultations before the rebrand was implemented - many who live and work in (and are directly affected by) the designated areas have questioned the purpose and benefit of the rebranding exercise - although they are assured that the branding will have a 'positive effect' on national recognition and 'funding opportunities' - needless to say Bondstones are working for our clients to find access the latter!

In planning terms "Article 2(3) land" is designated land referenced in various statute and planning legislation - it includes National Parks, The Broads and 'Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty' - the wording has not yet been updated to reflect the rebrand... Applicants are guided that AONB & NL designations are (for the time being) one and the same - and seem to be set for interchangeable use for some time to come.

Seek Independent Planning and Architectural Advice...

​If you have any questions about how an area's National Landscape (AONB) designation may influence your future plans, the local National Landscape Partnership are generally obliged to recommend that you contact the Local Planning Authority for 'pre-app advice'...

Needless to say, if you are still unsure about how to take your proposal to the next stage, or if there is anything that you'd prefer not to disclose to the local authority, we would strongly encourage you to take advice from an independent expert before approaching your planning department!
Find out more about
​Pre-app advice here

​The Bondstones team are experts in planning and architecture for rural projects - especially in protected and designated areas.  The landscape designation in this area does raise the bar for planning and design - and introduces a presumption against development... however achieving results is far from impossible. 

Our specialists are available to provide informal advice and are happy to impart our knowledge from the earliest stage of any project - whether this be for a new farm house, a diversification project, glamping site or even a bespoke new isolated dwelling...  


Do feel free to call our team for initial impartial advice - we are confident that our colleagues expertise will shine through and we look forward to working with you in delivering fantastic results.

Contact our local team on: 01823 210610 ​

About
​The Quantock Hills National Landscape

The Quantock Hills was the first landscape in England to be designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in May 1956 (renamed National Landscape in 2023).

The primary purpose of the designation is the conservation and enhancement of the landscape's natural beauty. The Quantock Hills National Landscape Team, on behalf of the Partnership, undertakes its work according to this primary purpose - to ensure this beautiful and nationally protected landscape remains outstanding now and into the future.

Useful Links

www.quantockhills.com/

Local Planning Authority Contacts:

Somerset Council

The Deane House
Belvedere
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 1HE


​0300 123 2224
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/
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

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Regulated by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

Bondstones is a regulated firm of Chartered Surveyors - specialising in Change of Use, Architectural Design and "Town & Country Planning" matters (with a core emphasis on "country"!).  Our head-office is conveniently located in the heart of the West-Country and we typically work in the geographical areas between Lands End and London.  However, on occasion, we also work farther afield...

We are extremely proud to be 'Regulated by 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' / modification of buildings & land.

Despite our cutting edge offer and market leading output, 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 provide 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: [email protected]

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 -2025 - All  Rights Reserved - Bondstones 1990 Ltd

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Website by Bondstones
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Photo from em_j_bishop
  • Who
    • Meet the team >
      • Accounts & Management >
        • Fuchsia Harmon - PA to Management
        • Melissa Carpenter - Accounts
        • Ian Firth - MD
      • Rural Planning >
        • Sarah Henderson - Rural Planner & Regional Business Manager
        • Annalise Page - Assistant Planner
      • Architectural Services >
        • Jennifer Craig - Architectural Technician
        • Ian Firth - Development Director / MD
  • What
    • Fixed price - Site Specific Advice
    • Chartered Surveyors
    • Architecture >
      • Architectural Services
      • CDM 2015 Services >
        • CDM Upload
      • Building Regulations
    • Planning Services >
      • Independent Planning Advice
      • Pre-App Advice
      • Permitted Development >
        • Class MA - permitted change of use; commercial premises to dwelling houses
        • Class Q Conversions
        • Class R Conversions
        • Class ZA - New dwellings - demolition and replacement of commercial buildings
        • 28 Day notice
        • Temporary Land Uses
      • Change of Use Planning
      • Agricultural Planning
      • Farm & Rural Diversification
    • Glamping & Alternative Accommodation
    • Other Professional Services >
      • Property Consultancy
      • Surveys
  • Where
    • Blackdown Hills
    • Cornwall National Landscape
    • Cranborne Chase National Landscape
    • Dorset National Landscape
    • East Devon National Landscape
    • North Devon Coast
    • Quantock Hills
    • South Devon National Landscape
    • Tamar Valley
  • How
    • Our Mission
    • Testimonials
    • Provision of Services >
      • Deposit Tariff
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disbursements Policy
  • Recruitment
    • Wanted! >
      • Senior Planner
      • Rural Planner - Specialist
      • Architectural Assistant (Pt 2)
    • Recent Appointments >
      • Apprentice Architectural Technician / Surveyor
    • Notice to agencies
  • Examples, Sites & Consultations
    • Case Study: H²Ouse
    • PLANNING CONSULTATIONS >
      • Somerset Call For Sites 2025
    • Old Mill - Case Study (about us!)
  • Contact us
    • New Project Enquiry