One of the key roles of Cranborne Chase National Landscape (CCNL) is to fulfil our statutory purpose of ‘conserving and enhancing’ this area of outstanding natural beauty. We take this duty very seriously indeed.
Each year we hold a Planning Forum for everyone involved in these planning processes. This can include residents, builders, consultants and local authority planning staff.
This year it was held in June at the New Remembrance Hall in Charlton. About 50 delegates attended from across the area including representatives from Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and NFDC councils and some local parish councils, architects and landscape architects. There were presentations from Jo Witherden, planning consultant, and Ryan Carroll, lighting consultant, as well as CCNL staff Linda Nunn, Richard Burden and Craig Daters. Participants engaged in practical scenarios to help the CCNL team respond more effectively to planning consultations.
We receive about 20 planning applications per month from the local authorities and it is our responsibility to review these, identify whether they meet with planning regulations and guidelines, integrate with our landscapes, and therefore don’t spoil or erode the intrinsic beauty of this area. Regulations and guidelines do not derive from one place, some are national, like the building regulations, others are more local to specific areas, and CCNL provides topic and subject guidance so that developments remain in keeping with the particular area. Local neighbourhood plans prepared by communities can be especially helpful and you may have one for your area.
Cranborne Chase National Landscape is also an International Dark Sky Reserve and is the only National Landscape to be so in its entirety. We were the 14th area in the world to be awarded this prestigious title and the 5th in the UK. In order to preserve this aspect we are always very keen to give advice about the control of light pollution and the provision of good lighting for domestic, business and community situations. There are guidelines available and our staff are available for a chat if anyone has any questions.
If you would like to know more or receive an invite to the next event please get in touch at info@cranbornechase.org.uk.