BALANCING FARMING AND LANDSCAPE

The Cotswolds look like the Cotswolds because of farming. It is a core part of the area’s economy and has shaped its appearance over centuries, creating the distinctive and much-loved landscape that was protected for the nation in 1966 as a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – now the Cotswolds National Landscape.

Farming has also created several of the highly valued special qualities of the Cotswolds AONB, including the large, open High Wolds, with its big skies, long-distance views, distinctive drystone walls and fl ower-rich grasslands.

By defi nition, AONBs are landscapes whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them. Th e primary purpose of AONB designation is to “conserve and enhance natural beauty”, and the ongoing viability of farming is vital for the future of the Cotswolds landscape, and for delivering the purpose of designation.

Farming and landscape have evolved over time and continue to do so. Th at evolution is accelerating due to climate change, global economic pressures and subsidy reform, particularly the withdrawal of the Basic Payment Scheme and emerging opportunities such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity net gain.

Farm businesses look to diversifi cation to remain viable, but often feel constrained by the AONB designation. It is true that the hurdle is set higher for gaining planning permission or navigating environmental impact assessment (EIA) screening within an AONB. However, it’s far from impossible - it’s about putting the right thing in the right place, whether it’s a new building, farm shop, woodland or campsite, and ensuring it’s designed and located in a way that is compatible with the AONB designation and suffi ciently avoids or minimises adverse impacts.

Policies, guidance andconsiderations

One secret to success is being aware of the relevant policies, information and guidance, and seeking honest, good

Mark Connelly, Land Management Lead at the Cotswolds National Landscape, explains how farm diversifi cations can succeed within an AONB designation

quality advice. National planning policy within the National Planning Policy Framework sets the guidelines for local planning policies, outlined within local development plans. Planning decisions should also take account of the relevant statutory AONB management plan and associated guidance.

AONB Conservation Boards and Partnerships are not the planning authority – that function remains with local planning authorities. However, AONB Conservation Boards and Partnerships do usually engage with planning matters, for example by responding to planning application consultations, writing guidance and position statements, and providing advice to the planning authority. Th e coverage of guidance and position statements, and the level of responses to planning applications, varies across the family of AONBs due to variations in AONB size and resources. Each will respond based on the policies within its own statutory AONB management plan.

Considerations include how the proposed diversifi cation would affect and, ideally, conserve and enhance: Landscape quality (for example landscape character, taking account of relevant ‘special qualities’ of the AONB and key features or characteristics of relevant landscape character types) Scenic quality (for example views from public rights of way, roads and access land) Natural heritage (for example biodiversity and geodiversity) Cultural heritage (for example historic environments) Local distinctiveness (for example vernacular architecture and fi eld boundaries) Tranquillity (including avoiding and minimising visual and aural disturbance) Dark skies (including avoiding and minimising light pollution).

Most of the above also apply when considering options such as woodland creation, and are used in the EIA scoping process by the Forestry Commission, Natural England and AONB offi cers. An increasing number of AONBs now have, or are developing, guidance on tree planting and woodland creation.

Another issue is to clarify with the relevant local planning authority whether a project requires planning permission or whether it is permitted development. If it is permitted development, then it’s advisable to clarify the relevant requirements (for example ‘prior notifi cation’). Th e South Downs National Park Authority has produced A Farmer’s Guide – Agricultural Permitted Development Rights in the South Downs National Park, which explains permitted development rights in a relatively clear and easy to understand way. Principal considerations for ‘prior notifi cation’ proposals would include the design, appearance and location of any proposed development, and how it avoids or minimises harm.

A common trip hazard seems to be considering a proposal while standing on the site, not looking at it from across the road, the opposite hillside ora public right of way, which is what planning and landscape offi cers do. If the proposal involves lighting, do the same at night.

Spotting the opportunities

We tend to hear about failure to gain consent, but farm businesses across the Cotswolds are successfully evolving and diversifying in ways that fi t with conserving and enhancing. Examples include visitor accommodation, permits for horse riding and walking, local vegetable and meat box schemes, community-supported agriculture, farm outlets ranging from traditional farm shops to micro-shops, and small-scale low-carbon energy production. Th ere is growing interest and demand for local produce, as well as opportunities to engage with and experience the natural environment, whether it’s walking, wildlife, dark skies or learning a new skill. Th e Cotswolds has the advantage of a particularly strong identity and ‘brand’, creating signifi cant opportunities for the tourism, engagement and local produce sectors.

Assistance within AONBs and National Parks for a wide range of diversifi cation projects is available until March 2024 through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. Th e programme is part of the government’s Agricultural Transition Plan, sitting alongside other programmes and schemes such as the Environmental Land Management scheme pilots, Tree Health pilot and Farming Investment Fund. It works with farmers and land managers to deliver across four themes: climate, nature, people and place.