National Landscapes (AONBs) and planning

 

National Landscapes are some of England’s most important protected landscapes. They were historically known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), and that remains the statutory designation used in legislation. The National Landscapes name was introduced in England in November 2023, so both expressions still appear in planning documents.

For planning purposes, the change of name did not weaken or replace the designation. National Landscapes remain areas designated because of their outstanding natural beauty and they now benefit from a strengthened statutory duty as well as the August 2026 National Planning Policy Framework policy for Protected Landscapes.

That national status is different from a local landscape designation such as an AGLV. A Heritage Coast is different again: it is defined by agreement rather than designated under the National Landscape legislation, although areas can overlap.

This page concentrates on the planning position in England. Wales also has National Landscapes, but its planning policy framework should be checked separately.

 

What is a National Landscape?

 

A National Landscape is land formally designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The purpose of the designation is the conservation and enhancement of the area’s natural beauty.

Natural beauty is wider than scenery alone. Landscape character can reflect geology, landform, wildlife, habitats, historic and cultural influences, settlement pattern, tranquillity, dark skies and the way the landscape is experienced. Each National Landscape therefore has its own special qualities and key characteristics.

There are currently 34 National Landscapes in England. Some cross local-authority boundaries and the Wye Valley crosses the England-Wales border. Unlike National Parks, most National Landscapes do not have their own local planning authority. Planning applications are normally determined by the relevant local planning authority, although National Landscape partnerships and conservation boards can be important consultees.

Natural England has now submitted a proposal for a new Yorkshire Wolds National Landscape. It is not yet designated, so it is not included in the current total of 34; the designation Order still requires confirmation by the Secretary of State.

The statutory designation originates under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, with the modern duties and management-plan framework principally found in Part IV of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

 

National Landscape or AONB: which term is legally correct?

 

Both terms will continue to appear. National Landscape is the current public-facing name in England, while Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty remains the legal designation.

That matters because legislation such as the CRoW Act, the General Permitted Development Order and other statutory instruments may still use the words area of outstanding natural beauty. Planning Geek therefore uses National Landscape as the normal modern term but retains AONB where it is the wording of legislation.

 

The strengthened section 85 duty: ‘seek to further’

 

One of the most important changes since the old version of this page was written came into force on 26th December 2023.

Section 245 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 strengthened section 85 of the CRoW Act. When exercising or performing functions in relation to, or so as to affect, land in an AONB in England, a relevant authority must now seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area.

This replaced the older duty merely to have regard to that purpose. It is an active duty, not simply a requirement to acknowledge the designation in a committee report.

Defra’s current Protected Landscapes duty guidance advises relevant authorities to explore reasonable and proportionate measures which further the statutory purposes, avoid harm where reasonably practicable and contribute to conservation and enhancement.

 

The duty can matter outside the National Landscape boundary

 

A proposal does not have to sit inside the designated boundary before National Landscape issues become relevant. Section 85 applies to functions exercised in relation to, or so as to affect, land in the National Landscape. Defra’s guidance recognises that natural beauty and special qualities can be highly dependent on the setting.

The August 2026 NPPF makes the same point in N4(4): development within the setting of Protected Landscapes should be sensitively located and designed to avoid or minimise adverse impacts on the Protected Landscape.

There is no standard buffer distance. Whether a site outside the boundary affects a National Landscape is a matter of evidence and planning judgment, taking account of topography, views, landscape character, scale, lighting, movement, tranquillity and the special qualities of the particular landscape.

 

What does the August 2026 NPPF say?

 

National Parks, the Broads and National Landscapes are grouped together as Protected Landscapes.

Policy N4 says development within Protected Landscapes should be limited in scale and extent and sensitively located and designed to avoid harm to their statutory purposes and special qualities. Substantial weight is to be placed on conserving and enhancing their natural beauty.

This is not a blanket ban on development. Small-scale housing, agricultural buildings, rural businesses, extensions and other proposals can be capable of approval where their location, scale, design and effects are acceptable. The assessment must, however, engage with the particular landscape and its special qualities.

National policy sits alongside the development plan and the relevant National Landscape management plan.

 

Major development in a National Landscape

 

N4(2) says proposals for major development within a Protected Landscape should be refused other than in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated that the development is in the public interest. The assessment should include the need for the development; the cost and scope for developing outside the Protected Landscape or meeting the need another way; and the detrimental effects on the environment, landscape and recreational opportunities and the extent to which they can be moderated.

Importantly, the NPPF uses a special meaning of major development for this policy. It is not simply the normal development-management threshold of ten dwellings, one hectare or 1,000 square metres. N4 footnote 59 says whether a proposal is major development is a matter for the decision-maker, taking into account its nature, scale and setting and whether it could have a significant adverse impact on the statutory purposes for which the area has been designated.

 

The National Landscape management plan

 

Every National Landscape should have a statutory management plan. These documents normally identify the area’s special qualities, landscape character, pressures, priorities and objectives for conservation and enhancement.

For a planning application, the management plan can be highly relevant even though it does not replace the statutory development plan. It may identify important landscape character areas, views and skylines, dark skies and tranquillity, historic landscape patterns, biodiversity priorities and local design guidance. The current management plan should therefore be checked early rather than added after a scheme has been designed.

 

Permitted development in a National Landscape

 

Being within a National Landscape does not remove all permitted development rights. However, an AONB is included within Article 2(3) land under Schedule 1 to the GPDO, and many individual classes impose additional restrictions on Article 2(3) land.

Our guide to Article 2(3) protected land explains the designation, while our detailed page on permitted development in a National Landscape/AONB looks at common domestic rights. The change-of-use comparison table is useful for Part 3 rights.

Always check the actual class and any local Article 4 direction.

 

National Landscapes and Environmental Impact Assessment

 

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are sensitive areas for the purposes of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017.

Where development is of a description listed in Schedule 2 and any part is in a sensitive area, the normal Schedule 2 size or other threshold does not need to be exceeded before screening is required. That does not mean every development in a National Landscape automatically requires an EIA; the question remains whether it is likely to have significant environmental effects.

See our guide to EIA screening and scoping.

 

How should an application address a National Landscape?

 

A proportionate submission should identify the designation and explain why the particular landscape is special. Depending on the proposal, useful evidence can include the boundary; current development-plan policy and management plan; relevant special qualities and landscape character; proportionate landscape and visual evidence; effects on views, skylines, tranquillity or dark skies; design and landscaping used to avoid or minimise harm; and measures which positively conserve or enhance the landscape.

A large Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment is not necessary for every small proposal. Equally, a one-line statement that a site is ‘within the AONB’ will rarely be enough where the proposal could materially affect its special qualities.

 

How do I find out whether land is in a National Landscape?

 

The local authority’s policies map should identify the statutory boundary. Natural England data and Defra’s MAGIC map are also useful.

For a live planning matter, use the formal mapped boundary rather than an estate agent’s description, a postcode search or the fact that a property has views towards the landscape.

 

Relevant policy and legislation

 

• National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
• Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, Part IV
• Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, section 245
• Defra guidance on the Protected Landscapes duty
• National Planning Policy Framework, August 2026, especially N4

 

Conservation, Heritage & Protected Sites

 

National Landscapes (AONBs) Page Updated: 9th September 2026