AONB | Planning Applications

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Now rebranded as natural landscapes, AONBs require special consideration for visual & environmental impact.

Do I need planning permission?

Your property being within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty does not necessarily mean you have no permitted development rights. Often it simply means special consideration must be taken for the visual impact of a project. This is especially true when considering something like Solar PV, which is likely to be visible from a public road or viewpoint. If you’re unsure whether your development will need planning permission, get in touch for our free consultancy services.

Supporting evidence must be provided to ensure that all decisions made ‘seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONB’, as stated by the CROW act. Under a planning application, this increases the importance of supporting evidence such as site & location plans, and consideration of Biodeversity Net Gain. If in Wales, it may mean the requirement of a specialist Green Infrastructure Statement.

Supporting evidence

Lawful Development Certificate

Lawful Development Certificates can offer stability in the face of uncertainty. If its unclear whether a development is permitted, LDCs have a shorter turnaround, and can act as a demonstration that your Local planning authority supports the legality of your install. This will also apply in the case of lawfulness through immunity. For example, if your install is over a certain age (10 years, or 4 years for developments substantially completed before April 2024), this may mean that your development is automatically legalised, which can be shown via an LDC.

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Recent work.

Heat Pump Cascades

Full design and listed building consent for 5kW solar PV and 2×12kW cascaded air source heat pump system in grade II listed building.
Listed Buildings

Full design and listed building consent for 5kW flat roof solar PV and 10kW Air Source Heat Pump system in grade II listed building.
Ground Mount

Full planning application for ground mounted solar PV and ground works with BNG measures.
Internal Wall Insulation

Plans and elevations for commercial IWI tender.
Article 4

Householder planning application for 3.6kW solar PV and 22kW air source heat pump installation in article 4 zone.es here
Change Of Use

Plans and supporting documents for householder planning application for change of use and brick wall installation.
Article 4

Householder planning application for 3kW solar PV and 17kW air source heat pump installation in article 4 zone.
Wall Installations

Householder planning application for rendered brick wall installation.
Ground Mounts

Supporting documents for ground mounted solar pv and containment box installation for full planning application.