The AONB's Joint Advisory Committee does not have the power to
determine planning applications as all applications in the AONB are
dealt with by local authorities.
Although the planning authorities follow policies
designed to protect the AONB's landscape in line with national
government policy, there are only very limited additional planning
restrictions in the AONB that have the effect of reducing the level
of development that is permitted without planning consent.
The Joint Advisory Committee is a consultee of the local
planning authorities on mainly large-scale applications for
planning permission that would be likely to have a significant
impact on the AONB's environment. These include:
- All applications for mines, quarries and waste
disposal
- All applications for utilities and other infrastructure
(including telecommunications development, renewable energy
installations and cross country pipelines)
- All major road proposals
- Residential development involving >10
dwellings
- Non-residential development of >1000 m2
floorspace
- Development of a novel nature which may have an effect on
landscape character
Responses to planning consultations are made on behalf of the
JAC following discussion by a sub-committee called the Planning
Panel. Membership of the Planning Panel comprises the JAC Chair,
Vice Chair, one of the two Parish Council representatives on the
JAC and a representative of the voluntary organisations on the
Committee.