AGLV – Area of Great Landscape Value

Many local authorities in England currently use Local Landscape Designations (LLD) to protect locally important landscapes, one of which is Area of Great Landscape Value or AGLV. Others include Special Landscape Areas (SLA) and Areas of Special Landscape Importance (ASLI). In Scotland they are known as Local Landscape Areas (LLA).

An Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) is an area of land in England which is considered to be of high landscape quality with strong distinctive characteristics which make them particularly sensitive to development. The designation was established under the Town and Country Planning Act 1947. Within ALGVs the primary objective is conservation and enhancement of their landscape quality and individual character. These will sit outside of any AONBs.

ALGVs sit at the third level of landscape protection, but this does not limit their importance.

Internationally we have Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and World Heritage Sites (WHS).

Nationally we have National Parks, Areas of Outstanding National Beauty (AONB), The Broads, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) in Isle of Man and Northern Ireland.

National Parks are designated for the purposes set out in section 5(1) of the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949 of conserving and enhancing its natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, and promoting understanding and enjoyment of its special qualities by the public. AONBs in England and Wales are designated under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 (Part IV, section 82(1)) where it appears that an area which is not in a National Park is of such outstanding natural beauty that it is desirable to protect.

Check out our glossary for many more acronyms and phrases in the world of property