The Kent Downs National Landscape Unit produces a number of publications which provide guidance on conserving and enhancing the landscape.
Management Guidance
- Kent Downs National Landscape Farm Diversification Toolkit
- Kent Downs National Landscape Farmstead Guidance
- Landscape Design Handbook
- Managing Land for Horses – a guide to good practice in the Kent Downs National Landscape
- Kent Downs National Landscape Rural Streets and Lanes: a design handbook
The Selection and Use of Colour in Development
The purpose of these guides is to provide guidance on the selection and use of colour for building development within the National Landscape and its setting. ‘Development’ includes any building work, ranging from home extensions and conversions through to house building, agricultural and industrial premises, and retail and office buildings. It also includes infrastructure developments associated with transport, flood defences, power generation and distribution, communications and other utilities.
- Kent Downs National Landscape Guidance on the selection and use of colour in development – Guidance
- Kent Downs National Landscape Guidance on the selection and use of colour in development – Survey
Position Statements
Protected Landscapes Duty Advice Notes
Section 85 of the CRoW Act was amended in 2023 to create a new duty on relevant authorities that requires they “must seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area” when discharging their functions in National Landscapes. The new duty replaces the previous requirement for relevant authorities to ‘have regard’ to the purpose of AONBs and is intended as a more proactive and strengthened requirement. This applies to all functions, not just planning-related matters. The Kent Downs National Landscape team has produced two advice notes on the duty, one specifically for local planning authorities and one providing more general advice for all relevant authorities.