Mendip Hills AONB Partnership Charterhouse Centre, Blagdon Bristol BS40 7XR

t:01761 462338

e:mendiphills@somerset.gov.uk w:http://mendiphillsaonb.org.uk

25th March 2013

Joy Milsom Planning Policy Team North Somerset Council Development and Environment Planning (Development Control) Somerset House Oxford Street Weston Super Mare BS23 1TGH

Dear Joy,

Sites and Policies DPD.

The Mendip Hills AONB Unit has reviewed the above document and our comments are as follows.

We welcome the inclusion of proposed policy DM12 aimed at conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the designated landscape. We are pleased to note that the policy specifically refers to protecting views to and from the AONB which is an important consideration when assessing development proposals beyond the AONB but within its setting.

It is strongly suggested, however, that the policy and supporting text should also make specific reference to the AONB Management Plan and require that all new development will be consistent with the Management Plan’s objectives relevant to planning. The Management Plan has been adopted by the Council and is therefore a material consideration in terms of planning issues.

Policy DM15: Mineral working exploration, extraction and processing. The AONB Unit particularly welcomes the inclusion of hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) under this policy in the event that proposals arise in or near the AONB. The criteria which the local authority would have regard to when assessing all types of minerals development are supported in principle. However, it is felt that the policy should indicate that, wherever possible, new mineral working, extraction and

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processing should avoid the AONB. In our view this would not conflict with Paragraphs 144 to 147 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

It is considered that the note added to Policy DM45: ‘Replacement dwellings in the countryside’, cross referencing with the policy relating to development in the Green Belt, should also indicate that if the replacement dwelling is in the AONB it will additionally need to comply with Policy DM12 seeking conservation and enhancement of the designated area.

Policy DM46: ‘The conversion of redundant rural buildings to residential use’. Sometimes conversion of traditional rural buildings to residential use can have a significant impact on the character of the AONB landscape and retaining former use types may be preferable. The proposed policy includes the requirement for reasonable attempts to have been made to secure an appropriate economic use for a rural building before consent is given for conversion. The applicant would have to demonstrate, under the policy as worded, that the building has been actively marketed both on site and online for employment uses for a minimum of 6 months at a reasonable price which reflects the use being advertised. Given current economic circumstances, it is felt that the time period should be at least 12 months to allow alternative economic uses to be adequately investigated.

Policy DM47: Rural workers dwellings, should, we feel, include a requirement that such dwellings, where approved, will be sited and designed to be in harmony with the landscape context.

It is felt that Policy DM55: ‘Agricultural and land-based rural business development in the countryside’ should refer also to Policy DM12 seeking conservation and enhancement of the AONB.

We feel that Policy DM63: ‘Camping and caravan sites’ should also ensure that such development does not have an adverse impact on the setting of the AONB, in particular where views from the AONB to surrounding countryside might be affected by development.

Policy BL1: Bleadon Quarry, Bleadon. It is felt that proposals to be brought forward under this policy should have to include protection of landscape character.

The AONB Unit welcomes the intentions of the following policies set out in the draft document.

DM3: Heritage assets DM7: Archaeology DM8: Non-designated heritage assets DM9: Nature conservation DM10: Trees DM11: Landscape DM19: Green infrastructure DM25: Public rights of way, pedestrian and cycle access DM31: High quality design and place making DM44: Gypsies and Travellers DM57: Equestrian development DM58: New business development in the countryside DM59: The redevelopment of redundant previously developed land in the countryside for business uses (B1, B2 and B8) and non–residential institutions (D1) and assembly and leisure (D2)

DM60: Extensions, ancillary buildings or the intensification of use for existing businesses located in the countryside

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DM61: Conversion and reuse of rural buildings for business uses (B1, B2 and B8) and non–residential institutions (D1) and assembly and leisure (D2)

DM73: Local Green Space DM74: Undesignated green space

We hope that the above comments are helpful.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Richards Planning Liaison Officer Mendip Hills AONB Unit

cc AONB Partnership Chair, Natural England

The Mendip Hills AONB Partnership promotes and coordinates the conservation and enhancement of the Mendip Hills AONB

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