Guidance for planning teams on changes to the CRoW Act 2000
Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 now has a strengthened 'duty to further the purpose' of National Landscape designations. The National Landscapes Association has worked with experts across the network to prepare a briefing for planning teams explaining what this means in practice.
Since December 2023, it has been a statutory duty of Local Planning Authorities and organisations such as water companies to “seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” This change represents a strengthening of the duty and a more active role for Authorities, which were previously only required to "have regard" for the purpose of the designation.
To help planning teams understand what this means in practice, National Landscapes planning specialists have come together to explain how this change in the law will affect local policy making and planning decisions.
The briefing explains where to find the objectives of individual National Landscapes and flags further useful information to help planners understand the context of these protected places: design guides, Landscape and Historic Character Assessments etc.
The aim is to ensure that National Landscapes can continue to be sustainable, thriving communities while also retaining the character and beauty that led to their designation in the first place. Providing the nation with accessible tranquil spaces to breathe and enjoy.