BONDSTONES - Planning & Architectural Consultants
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        • OLD - Handbook - Part 4
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      • Handbook - Part 5: General Conditions
      • Handbook - Part 6: Parental Policies
      • Handbook - Part 7: Flexible Working & Standards
      • Handbook - Part 8: Data, IT & Communications
  • Recruitment
    • Planning Consultant / Rural Specialist
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    • Glenfield Farm

Serving Landowners In

The Quantock Hills

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

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Planning for development in or 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 AONB status in performing their duties.

The Quantock Hills AONB Partnership is made up of a Joint Advisory Committee together with other interested government bodies and NGOs including: National Trust, RSPB, English Heritage and the Police.
The Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) forms a tight executive, acting as a watchdog for the AONB Service.

The JAC is made up of 5 funding bodies: 
  • Defra
  • Somerset County Council
  • West Somerset Council
  • Sedgemoor District Council, and
  • Taunton Deane Borough Council

It is also joined by Parish Council representatives for Nether Stowey, West Bagborough, West Quantoxhead and Holford, together with representatives of The Forestry Commission, Natural England, Friends of Quantock, Country Land & Business Association, Quantock Commoners Association and The Somerset Access Forum.
The AONB 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 AONB 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 AONB rather than detract or damage the landscape. 

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

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...

The Quantock Hills
An ​Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

The Quantock Hills have been protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1956.

These rolling hills of charming countryside sheeted in colour from over 50 species of plant provide a picturesque environment of entrancing countryside scattered 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 flourishes .

Quantock Hills
Local Planning Authority Contacts:

Somerset County Council

County Hall,
The Crescent,
Taunton,
Somerset
TA1 4DY

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

Sedgemoor District Council
Sedgemoor District Council
Bridgwater House,
King Square,
Bridgwater,
TA6 3AR  

0845 408 2540
​http://www.sedgemoor.gov.uk/

Somerset West & Taunton Council

The Deane House
Belvedere
Taunton

TA1 1HE

​
​0300 304 8000
www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/

Useful Links

http://www.quantockhills.com

Other useful information

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 change of use planning, Architectural Design and "Town & Country Planning" matters (with a core emphasis on "country"!).  Our head-office is based in the West-Country and we typically work in the geographical areas 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' / 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 "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 -2022 - All  Rights Reserved - Bondstones 1990 Ltd

​
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Website by Bondstones
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Photo used under Creative Commons from em_j_bishop
  • Who
    • Meet the team
  • What
    • Chartered Surveyors
    • Architecture >
      • Architectural Services
      • CDM 2015 Services >
        • CDM Upload
      • Building Regulations
    • 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 >
      • Deposit Tariff
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Disbursements Policy
    • Team Tools >
      • Team Toolkit
      • Handbook - Part 1: Introduction
      • Handbook - Part 2: Your Place in the Workplace
      • Handbook - Part 3: Policies >
        • OLD - Handbook - Intro
        • OLD - Handbook - Part 1
        • OLD - Handbook - Part 2
        • OLD - Handbook - Part 3
        • OLD - Handbook - Part 4
        • OLD - Handbook - Part 5
      • Handbook - Part 4: Health & Welfare
      • Handbook - Part 5: General Conditions
      • Handbook - Part 6: Parental Policies
      • Handbook - Part 7: Flexible Working & Standards
      • Handbook - Part 8: Data, IT & Communications
  • Recruitment
    • Planning Consultant / Rural Specialist
    • Architectural Technologist (MCIAT)
    • Apprentice Architectural Technician / Surveyor
  • Contact us
    • New Project Enquiry
  • Examples, Sites & Consultations
    • Glenfield Farm