England’s geology, soils, landscapes and their biodiversity are a rich inheritance and make our natural environment unique. There are a number of statutory designations protecting England’s natural environment under both national and international law and by way of national and local policy. These protected areas also include protected landscapes – National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs).
In both these types of area, there are tighter restrictions on what can be carried out as permitted development without needing planning permission, and policy requirements which any planning application will need to comply with.
New development has to be accommodated in these areas with sensitivity, so it is advisable to talk to your Planning Authority before seeking planning permission for development within these special areas.
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