The South Hams Society Is a registered charity (No. 263985) .  Our objectives are to stimulate interest and care for the beauty, history and character of the South Hams. We work to secure the protection and improvement of the landscape, features of historic interest and public amenity and to promote the conservation of the South Hams as a living and working environment. We encourage high standards of planning and architecture that respect the character of the area. We take the protection of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) very seriously and work hard to increase people’s knowledge and appreciation of our precious environment. We support the right development – in the right places – and strenuously oppose inappropriate development. The Society supports the seven ‘Nolan Principles in Public Life’ and expects everyone involved with planning, from applicants to decision takers, to undertake their work in accordance with them. The Society and its members aim to meet the same standards.

Latest News …

Beach Cleans

Sep 7, 2020|

The following dates and venues for the SHS beach cleans for the remainder of this year have now been agreed. The beach...

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Covid -19 – Safety and Social Distancing
Thank you for visiting the South Hams Society Web site.  As part of our arrangements to comply with the Government’s instructions, we have postponed our Events programme until further notice.  We will review the situation when the Covid-19 emergency measures are relaxed.

In the meantime, we will continue to post ‘Calls to action’ for urgent planning cases where we believe the proposed development would cause harm to the South Hams landscape and beauty. These calls will be for action which you can take safely online.

Meanwhile, if you are out exercising on any of our lovely beaches, do please take a bag for and collect what litter you can.  Informal beach cleans can continue!  Stay safe and healthy and let’s help others do that too.

Membership
Join us now and help protect this beautiful part of England. Membership costs just £10 for one or £15 for the family a year.

Application Form

Estuary

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) – Why they matter

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are Britain’s best landscapes. There are 46 of them, all designated by government and protected by law. Each one has its own special character. The South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was designated by government in 1960. It covers 60 glorious miles of coastline, estuaries and countryside between Plymouth and Torbay.

The AONB is one of a family of protected landscapes in the UK. With the guidance of a Partnership Committee, the AONB Team work to enhance South Devon’s outstanding beauty, for which the designation was applied. The special features of South Devon AONB include its rugged coastline, sandy beaches, secretive estuaries, patchwork countryside and historic villages – to name but a few!

Your Privacy Matters
Your Privacy and your support matters, so we’d like to use your details to keep in touch about things that may matter to you. If you choose to hear from us, we may send you information based on what is most relevant to you. This might be about volunteering with us, membership, events, conservation work, or fundraising.

Our Privacy Policy

Protecting Trees & Woods – The South Hams Guide
Trees, hedges and woodland are an integral part of Devon’s countryside and towns, and they provide multiple benefits to society, including filtering air pollution, reducing surface water runoff /contributing to sustainable drainage, providing wildlife habitats, improving water quality and the stabilising of soils and slopes. Devon’s hedges are particularly special. They are of great historical importance, define the county’s beautiful farmed landscapes, and support an immense amount of wildlife.

SHDC Planning File
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