National Landscape (AONB)
Scenic countryside under stricter planning control
A National Landscape is a landscape of national importance, protected for its scenic beauty and character. England and Wales renamed their Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in November 2023; Northern Ireland keeps the older name. Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency designate them. Scotland has no AONBs at all; its equivalent is the National Scenic Area.
What This Means
The designation covers the landscape around this property, not the building itself. Ordinary living, decorating and repairs are untouched. It counts when you change something visible from outside. In planning policy a National Landscape carries the same weight as a National Park for protecting landscape. Permitted development rights are narrower here than on undesignated land. Councils apply local design guidance on materials, roof lines and boundary treatments more firmly. This does not normally affect mortgage approval, buildings insurance or resale.
Practical Advice
- Read the National Landscape management plan and the local design guide before drawing up any extension.
- Ask the local planning authority whether an Article 4 direction removes further permitted development rights on this street.
- Ask the local planning authority whether a dark-skies policy restricts external lighting at this property.
- Ask your architect which permitted development rights this property loses because of the designation.
Key Points
- There are 38 National Landscapes in England and Wales, covering about 15 per cent of England and about 4 per cent of Wales. Northern Ireland has eight AONBs.
- A detached house elsewhere in England can add an 8 metre rear extension under the larger home extension scheme. Here the limit falls back to 4 metres.
Additional Information
England strengthened the duty on public bodies in December 2023. They must now seek to further a National Landscape's purposes, not simply have regard to them. The change came in section 245 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023. Wales keeps the older have-regard duty; Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate regimes and never had it.