Planning is central to achieving Cranborne Chase National Landscape’s purpose of ‘conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape’.
We are not a planning authority, however the National Landscape and the National Landscape Management Plan are material planning matters. We have a significant advisory role regarding planning in this protected landscape.
As an International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR), compliance with DarkSky International’s requirements to reduce the upward emission of light is essential to retain this prestigious status.
You can read more about lighting and planning on Cranborne Chase National Landscape on our Preserving our Dark Skies page.
On 23rd November 2023 the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs changed the name Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to National Landscape. However, the statutes, regulations, and government guidance have not been changed, so National Landscape and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty should be seen as synonymous.
What we do…
As a nationally important organisation, we contribute to relevant policy formulation and consultations, planning guidance, and policy statements at national and local levels.
We normally comment on major planning applications within or near this nationally designated area that involve ten or more dwellings or 0.5 hectares or greater of land, and on proposals that would have a significant impact on the National Landscape or created an unwelcome precedent.
The Planning Protocol provides the framework for the Cranborne Chase National Landscape Partnership to contribute to the evolution of planning policies and the determination of planning applications within its constituent Local Planning Authorities. Within and around the National Landscape we give priority to local plan and neighbourhood plan consultations along with local waste management and mineral plans.
We undertake, or commission, studies that help inform planning policies and decisions, such as Landscape Sensitivity, Tranquillity, and Right Tree Right Place. So that everyone knows where we stand, and what our expectations are, we prepare Position Statements and Good Practice Guides.
How we can help…
If you have a project and are thinking of preparing a planning application in Cranborne Chase National Landscape, we have developed a range of resources, including Position Statements and Good Practice Guides to help you. These are in addition to the policies set out in our Management Plan.
It often helps save time when making a planning application to discuss the proposal with us at an early stage; we are happy to do that. First, see our pre-application advice below, and find more information about our policies, best practice notes and guidance on our Planning Resources page.
If after reading our resources you still need help, get in touch with our planning team on info@cranbornechase.org.uk or call 01725 517417.
You can also keep up to date with the latest planning news in Cranborne Chase National Landscape by signing up to our newsletter…
To find out if your property is located within the National Landscape boundary, you can check our map and then contact your local planning authority to receive formal confirmation.
