Policy information sourced from Core Strategy for Chiltern District
CS22: Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The principles to be followed in the Chilterns AONB are that:
- All proposals must conserve and enhance the special landscape character, heritage, distinctiveness of the Chilterns AONB;
- All proposals must protect the setting of the AONB and safeguard views into and out of the area;
- Schemes which facilitate the environmental, economic and social well being of the AONB and its communities will generally be supported;
- Means of access to enable the enjoyment of the area, other than by car, will be encouraged;
- Applications for development will be assessed against the broad aims set out in the current Management Plan;
- Development proposals must be in accordance with the Chilterns Buildings Design Guide and Technical Papers relating to materials
We will measure success with the assistance of the following indicators in the AONB Management Plan:
- An increase in hedgerows in good condition using DEFRA condition criteria
- An increase in the proportion of sites where positive conservation management has been, or is being, implemented (NI197)
- An increase in the area of land covered by the Environmental Stewardship Scheme
- An increase in the area of woodland covered by England Woodland Grant Scheme agreements
- A decrease in the area of land managed for equestrian purposes, as defined by Chilterns Conservation Board land use survey (Note: this is considered to be an indicator of poor quality)
- More SSSIs in favourable condition
- Improved quality of water in rivers
- A reduction in the lengths of main rivers affected by low flows
(Note: it is intended that the above indicators be measured by the Chilterns AONB team, with information at District level)
Delivery will be achieved via:
- Work of the Chilterns Conservation Board
- Use of design guidance in discussions about planning applications
For more information please see the Core Strategy for Chiltern District