National Landscapes share the same level of protection as National Parks, but unlike National Parks they do not have their own planning authority. Each local authority planning department within in the National Landscape are the ‘AONB planning authority’ responsible for planning applications, enforcement, permitted development etc. They have policies to ensure development and planning proposals take into account the need to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, and in reaching their decisions they have a duty to consider the impact of any proposed developments on the AONB.
Within the Wye Valley National Landscape Team we have a Planning Officer, jointly shared with the Malvern Hills National Landscape. Josh Bailey joined the team in February 2023 and his main role is to comment on planning applications and consultations at a strategic and planning policy level. Questions regarding planning applications and advice or queries about how National Landscape status may affect your development proposals or planning applications should be addressed to the relevant local authority planning department:
Forest of Dean District Council
The role of the National Landscape Partnership (JAC & National Landscapes Team) is to provide advice to the Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Herefordshire Council and Monmouthshire County Council on how a development proposal affects and impacts on the ‘natural beauty’ of the Wye Valley National Landscape. We do not comment on all planning applications, only those proposals and developments that are likely to have a significant detrimental impact on the National Landscape. Normally we only give advice if we consider it a significant or major development, whether alerted by the local planning authority or a member of the public. We do not get involved in local campaigns against proposed developments. We provide our professional advice on the impacts of developments on the AONB, primarily based on the statutory AONB Management Plan, which is a material consideration in planning matters.
You can find out more about the role of National Landscapes in the planning process here.
You can check the boundaries of the Wye Valley National Landscape .
From time to time the Wye Valley National Landscape Partnership consults on and publishes Position Statements that expand on policies and content within the AONB Management Plan. Find out more :
