Development and planning
Development and land use change should conserve and enhance the National Landscape
Development and land use change should conserve and enhance the National Landscape
The National Landscape was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1958 in recognition of the quality of the landscape. It exists to ensure the natural beauty of the landscape is conserved and enhanced for residents and visitors today and in the future.
All development and land use change should aim to conserve and enhance the character of settlements and the wider landscape. This is in line with the statutory purposes of the National Landscape to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB, and is known as the Protected Landscapes duty.
The Northumberland Coast AONB Management Plan sets out policies to ensure the protection of the landscape. The plan is a material consideration for Northumberland County Council (NCC) when determining planning applications.
NCC consults the National Landscape on all planning applications within the AONB, and those beyond its boundary that may have an impact. Planning applications within the area are assessed for their impact on the statutory purposes of the AONB.
Planning assessment and advice is provided in line with the Northumberland Coast AONB Management Plan (2020-2024), the Northumberland Local Plan (2016-2036) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2024).
Northumberland County Council has a statutory duty under Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CRoW) 2000 to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of AONBs in exercising or performing any of its functions, and this includes decision making in respect of development management and planning applications.
Section 245 (Protected Landscapes) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) recently strengthened the statutory duty under Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. NCC now have a duty to ‘seek to further’ the statutory purposes of the National Landscape. LURA 2023 amends the previous duty to ‘have regard to’ the statutory purposes of the AONB.
Northumberland Local Plan Policy ENV 5 sets out policies to conserve and enhance the National Landscape.
Paragraphs 189-190 of the National Planning Policy Framework deal with AONBs. Paragraph 189 of the National Planning Policy Framework states that: “Great weight should be given to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty in National Parks, the Broads and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which have the highest status of protection in relation to these issues.”
Many of the communities with the National Landscape have prepared or are in the processing of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. Most of these plans include policies for the protection of the landscape.
Development and land use change takes many forms, many of which do not require planning permission or are classed as permitted development.
The 2023 Protected Landscapes duty under Section 85 of the CRoW Act 2000 and Section 245 of LURA 2023 requires all relevant authorities, including government departments, public bodies, parish and town councils, and statutory undertakers, to seek to further the statutory purposes of the Protected Landscape to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the AONB.
Tranquillity, built environment, highways and public realm are integral to the natural beauty of the National Landscape, and we can all play a part in conserving and enhancing this special place.
The National Landscape has produced guidance on best practice for change and maintenance of the built environment, highways and public realm, and a short guide to reducing light pollution to protect our dark skies. These guides are aimed at the public and businesses, as well relevant authorities performing their duties and can be downloaded below.
The Landscape Capacity and Sensitivity Study (2013) contains useful guidance, including key views and vistas into and from the National Landscape together with identification of sensitive settlement edges and ability of settlements to absorb new development.
The National Landscape can provide advice on the impact of proposed development and land use change; please contact info@northumberlandcoast-nl.org.uk.
Design Guide for the Built Environment
In addition to the current management plan, the Design Guide for the Built Environment contains useful information in relation to the local vernacular, settlement character, materials and principle of design that are acceptable in the landscape.
Landscape Capacity and Sensitivity Study
The Landscape Capacity and Sensitivity Study (2013) contains useful guidance, including key views and vistas into and from the National Landscape together with identification of sensitive settlement edges and ability of settlements to absorb new development.
Dark Sky Matters
A short guide to reducing light pollution and protecting our dark skies.
Highway and Public Realm Design Guide
Guidance on how the rural road network and other public realm within the National Landscape should be designed and managed, for anyone involved in construction, maintenance, management, including highway authorities, utilities companies, landowners, environmental and voluntary groups.
The Conservation Team is a volunteer initiative carrying out vital tasks.
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Discover the traditional villages and lively harbours in the Northumberland Coast National Landscape.
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