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Planning for development in or around the Quantock HillsThe 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:
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 .
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 CouncilCounty Hall,
The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4DY 0300 123 2224 Sedgemoor District Council
Sedgemoor District Council
Bridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater, TA6 3AR 0845 408 2540 |
Taunton Deane Borough CouncilThe Deane House
Belvedere Taunton TA1 1HE 01823 356459 West Somerset Council
West Somerset Council,
West Somerset House, Killick Way, Williton, Taunton, TA4 4QA 01643 703704 |
Useful Linkshttp://www.quantockhills.com
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Other useful information |
