These pages contain everything that you need to help you understand planning on Cranborne Chase National Landscape and its particular landscape characteristics.
Cranborne Chase National Landscape is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Planning work to ensure that these landscape characteristics are protected for future generations.
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.
Landscape Character Assessments
A Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) helps to identify the key characteristics, local distinctiveness, and the sense of place of Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
Cranborne Chase National Landscape – Landscape Character Assessment 2024
Hot off the press, here is our new Landscape Character Review 2024 which includes some refinements to our 2003 LCA. We are working on a shortened version which will be available soon.
Cranborne Chase National Landscape – Landscape Character Assessment 2003
Planning and the National Landscape – Shortened version of Cranborne Chase LCA
The following publication ‘Planning and the AONB’ provides a shortened version of the Landscape Character Assessment. It includes sufficient detail to help you identify, and work with, the landscapes of Cranborne Chase:
Cranborne Chase & Chalke Valley Landscape Character Assessment
This LCA was commissioned by the Cranborne Chase & Chalke Valley Landscape Partnership to support a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Landscape Partnership programme. This study was prepared by Chris Blandford Associates (CBA) and informed Partnership’s Landscape Conservation Action Plan which was submitted in support of the NLHF bid.
Planning Protocol
The Planning Protocol sets out how the National Landscape Partnership and local authorities will consider planning matters affecting Cranborne Chase. The document contains the October 2005 document as well as the September 2006 Review and Refinement document.
Right Tree, Right Place
This guidance is intended for communities, individuals and landowners who are interested in planting trees and hedges in Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
It shows you how to maximise the benefits from planting trees and hedgerows, takes you through the stages needed to get the right tree in the right place, provides specific advice relating to planting trees in four particular types of landscapes and links to further information.
Section 85 Advice & Guidance for Relevant Authorities
Section 85 (A1) of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 was reinforced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. It places a statutory duty on all relevant authorities to seek to further the purposes of a National Landscape’s designation.
This guidance has been produced for ‘Relevant Authorities and those in Public Office’, to help in the fulfilment of their duties.
Landscape and Rural Highways
Guidance developed by Cranborne Chase National Landscape through its Planning & Transportation Group.
Position Statements
Our position statements set out Cranborne Chase National Landscape’s current position on a variety of topics. These include light pollution, historic parks and gardens, the relevance of the setting for the National Landscape and its Historic Landscape Characterisation.
Fact Sheets & Good Practice Notes
The National Landscape fact sheets and good practice notes provide information on topics of relevance to landscape and planning within the National Landscape. Current documents provide information on Section 85 duties, the Local Development Framework, the European Landscape Convention and Historic Landscape Characterisation.
Planning Reports
A selection of reports produced to inform planning in Cranborne Chase National Landscape.
Historic Landscape
Historic Landscape Characterisation
The Historic Landscape Characterisation explores the history and archaeology of Cranborne Chase National Landscape, and outlines how we are conserving and enhancing this special heritage through Historic Environment Action Plans (HEAPS).
For more information visit the National Landscape’s Historic Landscapes Website.
The Chase, The Hart and The Park
This publication uncovers the historic landscapes of Cranborne Chase National Landscape, with contributions by Katherine Barker, Gordon Le Pard, Caroline Cheeseman, Martin Green, John Gale and Dorothy Ireland.
The Medieval Deer Parks of Cranborne Chase National Landscape
A study by Katherine Barker covering Cranborne Chase’s medieval deer parks and their historic origin.
Landscape Sensitivity
This study explores the sensitivity of Cranborne Chase National Landscape.