As a Sussex MP, a county blessed with some of the most quintessentially British scenery, I wholeheartedly agree that our planning system should protect important natural landscapes and heritage assets, and I would like to assure you that my colleagues in government are committed to ensuring it does just that.
I also believe the historic landscapes that inspired some of our country’s most treasured works of literature should be protected for future generations to enjoy.
While literary landscapes are not subject to a separate designation within the planning system, the National Planning Policy Framework – which sets out planning guidance for local authorities in England – already makes clear that local planning authorities’ planning policies should conserve and enhance the natural, built and historic environment, including landscapes. The framework also states that planning policies should recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside.
I am pleased to see the Government emphasising the importance of local authorities having an up-to-date local plan in place, ensuring that local people have a platform to shape their surroundings. Crucially, local plans can protect the important landscapes communities cherish and direct homes to the places local people prefer. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act increases the weight given to local plans when making decisions on applications, so that there must be strong reasons to override the plan.
This legislation will help to foster better environmental outcomes, with a new requirement to prepare Environmental Outcomes Reports to assess the potential environmental effects of relevant plans and major projects. This will put protecting our environment and pursuing environmental improvements at the foreground of assessments. The legislation also gives greater weight to local plans and national policy which will give more assurance that areas of environmental importance, including national parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, will be respected in decisions on planning applications and appeals.
I believe that, together, these measures will help protect our beautiful countryside and landscapes for decades to come and I will continue to monitor this closely.
You can read more on our environmental work here: https://www.mimsdavies.org.uk/government-action-environment
You may also be interested in this campaign statement: National Parks April 2024
