South Milton have been complimented for their new housing project which is not only helping with the housing crisis, but also allowing the environment to be protected and preserved say the Campaign to Protect Rural England group.

The CPRE have released a document expressing their disappointment with how “reckless” housing developments in other areas of the country “threatens England’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

However, they have listed South Milton as a prime example of a solution to the current need for housing and the importance of protecting AONBs.

In the Neighbourhood Plan for the village, South Milton have addressed the current need for more housing, especially affordable housing and offered up a site known as The Dairy for this purpose.

The plan is for the development of a site to build six affordable houses, six at the market rate and another six to be self-build properties.

In the Neighbourhood Plan, South Milton have laid out their key priorities for the future of the village and future developments. The housing project should, “respect and enhance the natural, built and rural environment” while also ensuring that the village will, “remain an affordable dwelling for local people.”

“It should be well designed to reflect, and where possible make positive contributions to the character and appearance of the parish in terms of scale, height, materials and layout, and to reinforce a strong sense of place.”

These aspects are an area that the CPRE are complimenting South Milton for. The housing project for 18 houses has, “received overwhelming support from local residents” says CPRE.

“It is tucked away in a natural hollow surrounded by a green buffer, far from the sensitive natural fringe, on brownfield land with good access to the main road.”

“The development is intended to provide the required housing for the next 15 years, as well as offering significant community benefits.”

However, the success in South Milton is not a reflection of other AONBs around the country. In fact, many examples of beautiful countryside are being torn apart to make way for new development, which is a prominent issue in the South Hams due to the vast amount of AONBs included in its territory.

“New research published by CPRE reveals an insidious threat to those treasured landscapes.”

AONBs are experiencing a dramatic increase in housing applications which is corresponding with the number of units approved and the amount of land lost.

Unlike National Parks which have their own planning authorities, AONBs have to rely on local authorities and planning inspectors for their protection. However, the sheer weight of applications in recent years has resulted in, “large and inappropriate housing developments” getting through the system.

The CPRE believe that all this is happening because of a: “combination of unrealistic Government housing targets, conflicting national planning policy, speculative building applications and the pressure on local authorities to deliver houses at any cost.”

Jonathan Dimbleby, a patron for South Devon AONB and former CPRE President has expressed his disappointment with these developments. “It dismays me that governments are prepared to contemplate, let alone encourage, building extensively in our AONBs.

“Of course the countryside cannot be bottled in aspic; it has to be used to meet our evolving social and economic needs but this has to be done with great sensitivity. We need more homes and more businesses but not at the cost of destroying precious landscapes with rampant development.”

Once these landscapes have been destroyed, “it cannot be restored” and “it is lost for ever” said Dimbleby.