There’s been a call for the Somerset Levels to be designated a National Landscape.
National landscapes were previously known as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty before being rebranded as National Landscapes by the previous Conservative government.
Somerset is currently home to four national landscapes - the Blackdown Hills, Cranborne Chase, the Mendip Hills and the Quantock Hills. Councillor Henry Hobhouse, who represents Castle Cary on Somerset Council, believes the county is deserving of a fifth national landscape, arguing it will protect the Levels' historic character and enhance the natural environment.
To become a national landscape, Natural England would submit a formal proposal to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. To achieve the status, the area must meet certain criteria, including:
- landscape quality
- scenic quality
- relative tranquillity
- natural and cultural heritage
Unlike national parks, national landscapes do not have their own powers regarding planning applications or licensing, meaning they do not enjoy the highest level of protection against future development. The most recent national landscape to be designated was the Tamar Valley near Plymouth in 1995.
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