On 22 November 2023 all designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and Wales became ‘National Landscapes’. However, the designation in legal and policy terms is still AONB.
An AONB is a national designation recognised in the planning system. These are landscapes of high landscape quality, with the same level of protection as National Parks. They are recognised as our most outstanding landscapes; unique and irreplaceable national assets to be managed in the interests of everyone, and protected for future generations.
As such, the planning system has an important role- to ensure that development is appropriate, sustainable and protects the special qualities of the Solway Coast.
The responsibility for planning policy and decisions within the Solway Coast National Landscape rests with our local authority, Cumberland Council. They have a legal duty under Section 85 of Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000 to “have regard to the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty” of AONBs when coming to any decisions or carrying out any decisions or carrying out activities relating to or affecting land within these areas.
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act (2023) amended section 85 of the CRoW Act, and places a new duty on relevant authorities to ‘seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area’ when discharging their functions in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The new duty replaces the previous requirement for relevant authorities to ‘have regard’ to the purpose of AONBs, and is intended as a more proactive and strengthened requirement.
If you are looking to build something new, make a major change to a building or change the use of a building on the Solway Coast, here are some top tips:
Have a look at our Solway Coast Management Plan – this is a material consideration in planning decisions within the designated landscape and also it’s wider setting →
Check if your development site is within the designated area- we recommend that you use Defra’s Magic Map as you can overlay multiple designations over your chosen area →
Have a look at the Government’s Planning Portal website for general planning guidance →
Look at Cumberland Council’s Planning and building control web pages and speak to a member of the planning team if needed →
