Policy information sourced from Dacorum Local Plan 2004 Alteration

97 Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

In the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the prime planning consideration will be the conservation of the beauty of the area; the economic and social well-being of the area and its communities will also be taken into account. Any development proposal which would seriously detract from this will be refused. Wherever development is permitted it will be on the basis of its satisfactory assimilation into the landscape.

Every effort will be made to discourage development and operations that would adversely affect the beauty of the area. Landowners are encouraged to adopt the following planning guidelines which will contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the area. The Council will adhere to the guidelines whenever considering planning applications:

  • New Buildings and Other Development
    • Development must not be intrusive in terms of noise, disturbance, light pollution, traffic generation and parking.
    • Building, plant and structures must be sympathetically sited and designed, having regard to natural contours, landscape, planting and other buildings; there should be no adverse effect on skyline views.
    • Colours and materials used for a development must fit in with the traditional character of the area.
  • Open Air Recreation
    • Large urban-style parks and sports facilities are not acceptable.
    • Extensive recreational facilities such as golf courses (see Policy 78) and country parks must be carefully integrated with the landscape, natural vegetation and natural ground contours.
    • Intrusive fencing and illumination are not acceptable.
    • Informal outdoor recreation allowing the quiet enjoyment of the countryside is encouraged, but careful attention will be paid to the provision of associated ancillary facilities such as car parks and toilets in order to minimise their impact on the local scene.
  • Mineral Extraction
    • No further chalk quarrying will be supported, with the exception of registered Interim Development Order (IDO) sites which have the benefit of consent from the County Council as mineral planning authority for the area.

Other mineral extraction may be supported if justified in the national interest, if there are no other reasonable sites and if the impact on the area is kept to a minimum.

  • Agriculture
    • The intensity of farming practices should not be detrimental to landscape quality and nature conservation interests.
    • Activities requiring new building should be avoided if possible. Where new building is necessary, it should be sited unobtrusively and designed to maintain the character and quality of the countryside: siting close to, and integrated with, existing complexes of farm buildings is normally preferred.
    • Land filling is not acceptable.
    • Individual trees, copses and hedgerows should be retained and new planting carried out in appropriate locations (in co-operation with relevant agencies and groups) in order to enhance the landscape quality and nature conservation interests of the area (Policy 100).
  • Forestry and Landscaping
    • The retention of existing, and planting of new woodlands on hill tops and ridges, other than on chalk downland or other grassland of nature conservation interest, is encouraged.
    • The active management of woodlands is encouraged (Policy 101).
    • Broad-leaved tree species which are native to the particular soil and location should be used in all planting and landscaping schemes.
    • Conifers should only be used as a nurse crop in forestry.
  • Nature Conservation
    • High priority should be given to maintaining and enhancing the interests of nature conservation and, in particular, acknowledged sites of importance to nature conservation (Policy 102).
    • Changes in land use or farming practices which would adversely affect the interests of nature conservation should not be pursued.
  • Redundant Buildings
    • Redundant buildings which are considered to be detrimental to the high landscape value of the area and are not suitable for appropriate reuse under Policy 110 should be removed.

For more information please see the Local Plan