Planning for development in or around South Devon

The landscape and beauty of the South Devon AONB is protected in planning, and has the same level of protection as a National Park, therefore all public bodies and statutory undertakers must have regard to the area's AONB status when performing their duties. 

Unlike it's neighbour Dartmoor National Park, the South Devon AONB Partnership only acts as an advisory company to local planning authorities, and do not prepare statutory planning documents or determine the outcome of planning applications. Instead they rely on the district, borough and county councils to follow their own individual AONB planning policies in order to work with people whilst protecting the area's natural beauty.

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 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...

South Devon
​An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

South Devon has been protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1963.

South Devon is a vast hilly landscape that is beautifully dissected by countless streams and miniature waterfalls, best known for it's countryside coastal footpath walks, and colourful, picturesque scenery that boarders the Dartmoor National Park.

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.

Local Planning Authorities:

South Hams District Council

Follaton House,
Plymouth Road,
Totnes,
Devon,
TQ9 5NE

01803 841234
http://www.southhams.gov.uk/

Devon County Council

County Hall,
Topsham Road,
Exeter,
Devon,
EX2 4QB

01392 382000.
https://new.devon.gov.uk/

Torbay Council 

Town Hall,
Castle Circus,
Torquay,
Devon,
TQ1 3DR

01803 201201
http://www.torbay.gov.uk/

Plymouth City Council

Civic Centre,
Armada Way,
Plymouth,
Devon,
PL1 2AA

01752 304351
http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/

Useful Links

http://www.southdevonaonb.org.uk/

Other useful information