ENV1

Environment Policy 1

Policy 1: The countryside and its ecology will be protected for its own sake.

For the purposes of this policy, the countryside comprises all land which is outside the settlements defined in Appendix 3 at A.3.6 or which is not designated for future development on an Area Plan.

Development which would adversely affect the countryside will not be permitted unless there is an over-riding national need in land use planning terms which outweighs the requirement to protect these areas and for which there is no reasonable and acceptable alternative.

7.6 Landscape Assessment and Classification

7.6.1 The present system of landscape classification remains relevant and important. However, a review of the current landscape classification system is underway in the form of an Island wide landscape and coastal quality assessment. This will identify different categories of landscape and coastal importance in order for development to be managed effectively in these areas and appropriate protection policies to be formulated. This exercise will investigate the appropriateness of designating a 'coastal planning zone' which would extend both seaward and landward of the coastline depending on the extent of the mean low water mark in the case of the former and the extent of direct maritime-influenced and coast-related activities in the case of the latter. The landscape assessment will also include management guidelines with respect to development not only in the designated areas but in the wider countryside as well.