Collection of information on the project

At the foremost stage, planner makes a project description and creates a plan, which presents topographic and physical modifications.

Viewshed of your project

Viewshed indicates a region, from where the site or activities of the project can be monitored. This is developed to make the visual background of the project. At this point, the planner makes use of computer-based analysis in order to have a proper idea of viewshed. However, the expert also goes to the site for viewing at everything that may be observed.

Make out all receptors which are in the boundary of viewshed

With the use of some guidelines, planner finds out all the designated highways. However, he also detects different houses, residential and public.

Evaluate the visual look at present condition

Planner analyses the present visual standard for every viewpoint of the receptor. In fact, there’s no process, which has been established to rate the visual excellence. Thus, the assessment of the impact may depend on good method of federal agency.

Make some reproductions of image

Here, the expert develops simulation of photos of a planned project. Such simulation helps in the assessment of the impact. In order to do it, planner generates a 3-D model for projected plan. Such model may also be split into a variety of versions as well as comparisons. Photographs are captured at every location to create a practical look with texture and colour.

Develop the measures of mitigation for the possible impacts

While any of the significant effects have been found, landscape planning specialists assess whether something is possible to be alleviated.  If needed, proper measures of mitigations may be developed in order that the possible significant effect may be decreased.

Preparation of report

This is the ultimate stage, when a planner gets a report ready for outlining all facts as well as the important findings.

So, with all the above procedures, a professional planner develops a perfect report and provides it to you to get a clear idea about visual impact.

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LVIA and Valued landscapes

Valued landscapes, include those in South Downs National Park around Eastbourne and Lewes. These typically have high landscape quality, great scenic beauty, a sense of remoteness and associations with famous artists. Landscape artists Paul Nash and Eric Ravilious were inspired by Valued landscapes around Eastbourne and Lewes. They depicted scenic beauty of South Downs, now a protected landscape, the South Downs National Park (SDNP). Understanding how Valued landscapes and LVIAs fit together into the planning system can sometimes be difficult to unravel. Some highly Valued landscapes include those areas in SDNP, around the homes of artists and writers of the Bloomsbury group.

The South Downs

The Downs exerted a formative effect on the paintings of Ravilious, whilst Charleston lies in the heart of a Valued landscape, in South Downs National Park. Charleston was the country home of the Bloomsbury Group, of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and due to the inspiring landscapes and views of the South Downs, became home to artists and writers. Valued landscapes are often associated with artistic creativity. “In 1916 the artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant moved to Sussex with their unconventional household. Inspired by Italian fresco painting and the Post-Impressionists, the artists decorated the walls, doors and furniture at Charleston. The walled garden was redesigned in a style reminiscent of southern Europe, with mosaics, box hedges, gravel pathways and ponds, but with a touch of Bloomsbury humour in the placing of the statuary. In the house, the collection includes… work by Renoir, Picasso, Derain, Matthew Smith, Sickert, Tomlin and Delacroix.” (Extract from website of Charleston.) Paul Nash and his student Eric Ravilious, the 70th anniversary of whose death is being celebrated this year, are amongst the finest of our British landscape painters. These roving painters both found tremendous inspiration on the coast and in the countryside around Rye and Lewes. To the north, further inland the High Weald AONB is one of our Valued landscapes with strong associations near Sissinghurst to the world famous writer and garden designer Vita Sackville West.

Valued landscapes thus often have associations with designers. Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens, based in Munstead, Surrey Hills AONB,  designed over 120 houses and gardens. Architect Edwin Lutyens worked on the design of the houses, whilst Gertrude designed garden layouts and planting. Together forming the Arts and Crafts movement which drew inspiration from the landscape of the Surrey Hills AONB. See; Munstead Wood, Busbridge, Surrey .

Gertrude Jekyll’s Arts and Crafts movement designed natural looking country gardens in a cottage garden style and woodland with wild gardens and meadows. This approach drew on the Surrey Hills Valued landscapes and was very different from previously designers work for formal Victorian rockeries and bedding schemes. Jekyll became the head of the cottage garden movement which then influenced Vita Sackville West. Vita was living and working in Kent and Sussex in Valued landscapes of her own, including the Kent and Sussex High Weald AONB. Vita’s writing and garden design style of cottage gardens led to associations with the rest of the Bloomsbury group in the Downs landscape and namely with Virginia Woolf who lived at Monks House in the South Downs.

Woolf in turn derived inspiration from the earth and her work was closely linked to the Valued landscapes in which she also lived and these inspiring Downland landscapes are closely associated with her most famous works. Leonard and Virginia Woolf’s 17th-century country retreat; “Nestled in the heart of rural Sussex,Monk’s House is a tranquil 17th-century weather boarded cottage inhabited by Leonard and the novelist Virginia Woolf from 1919 until Leonard’s death in 1969…Leonard and Virginia Woolf and Bloomsbury Group are associated with the landscape of the Downs and with Monk’s House. It is still “full of their favourite things, the house appears as if they just stepped out for a walk.” (Extract form National Trust website.)

These properties form part of the character of our most Valued landscapes. The national treasures linked to the heart of Kent and Sussex, form part of the Valued landscapes of these artists and writers. The properties they worked on and in, the garden styles and wider landscapes they managed, are all inextricably linked to the Valued landscapes of South Downs National Park, The High Weald AONB as well as to the Surrey Hills AONB.  So too are Locally designated (AGLVs, SLAs)and Nationally designated landscapes (National parks and AONBs.)Associations with famous “locals” or personalities who lived in them, often overlap and merge to form parts of the landscape character of the highly Valued landscapes such as High Weald AONB of Kent, Sussex and Surrey, South Downs National Park of Sussex and Surrey Hills AONB. These places have very close associations with artists and writers who were inspired by the Valued landscapes in which they lived and worked.

Local landscape designations such as AGLVs and SLAs, vary in location and thus reasons for their designations vary accordingly. The reasons for these landscape designations are not always widely documented. The National Planing Policy Framework (NPPF) does not actually define Valued landscapes.

In March 2015 an planning inspector dismissed an appeal for up to 130 houses with open space on the edge of a village in Warwickshire.  The area did not have a formal landscape designation. He ruled that most countryside adjacent to villages would be “valued” by the locals, but this did not mean that it was a “Valued landscape” under paragraph 102 of the NPPF. He considered  that the only means of assessing the landscape was to undertake a professional analysis using the Landscape Institute’s guidelines.

In another appeal, which was again on the edge of a settlement in Devon, the Planning Inspector rejected the council’s claim that the land formed part of a Valued landscape under paragraph 109 of the NPPF. Permission was granted for up to 59 dwellings.

This chequered approach can make defining Valued landscapes more tricky. It may be harder to obtain a clear idea of why these landscapes were designated and to understand fully their relationship to the wider landscape in which they are located. A detailed LVIA can help to fill this gap and will update findings, ensuring protection and conservation of the landscape as well as suitable management. This will help to enable any potential development to be accommodated more sensitively within Valued landscapes which have local landscape designations. For further details on how we can help you with your LVIA, for informal landscape character assessment advice, or to discuss your landscape project, contact the specialist Landvision team on 01892 782200.

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Landvision have recently helped local residents in ” Protecting South Downs National Park“. Landvision were invited to work with Deans Preservation Group to undertake a landscape assessment for land adjacent to the South Downs National Park. The landscape assessment was written for the group, to protect historic Open Downs landscapes, which for centuries have been agricultural downland. The site is immediately adjacent to the South Downs National Park and had it been developed, loss of downland landscape would have resulted in a lowering of  visual amenity for the many users of South Downs National Park  who currently enjoy the special landscape qualities of this adjacent land. What makes a landscape a Valued Landscape? Valued landscapes tend to have high scenic quality and beauty. They will also often have a high landscape quality and be well maintained and in good condition. The land in question has high scenic quality, a natural unspoilt landscape beauty. This landscape quality is partly due to its historic management as agricultural grazing land. The land as a result has rare Sussex downland species which require specific management and chalk downland soils to thrive. Valued landscapes can also have rare qualities or characteristics. In the case of this area of land, there was a timeless charm and tranquillity, with contiguity of land form with the surrounding South Downs National Park.

The landscape character of the land is Open Downs.

This is in itself a highly valued landscape, being historic downland, with rolling open downs, stunning views and with a myriad of tiny medieval villages clustered amongst the dry valleys in the downs, just a short distance from the sea. This is part of the work Landvision undertook in assessing the proposed development and protecting the South Downs National Park. Landvision worked with the Group to safeguard this land through exploring what made it special for local residents and visitors to the South Downs National Park. Associations of the Open Downs. The Open Downs landscape inspired artists like Eric Ravilious, writers like Rudyard Kipling; they created world class works of art based on the outstanding landscape beauty of the  Open Downs. Kipling lived and worked in the Open Downs and wrote books which are enjoyed worldwide. The wild beauty of the rolling open Downs has been captured by these artists for generations. This has made the Sussex Downs a landscape which visitors from all round the world seek to enjoy, coming to the UK specifically to visit and to spend time experiencing. This Sussex downs landscape is highly valued for it continues to inspire artists and appears in artworks world wide. Landscape character is a continuum and does not stop or start suddenly at geographical boundaries. Landscape character of this site thus continues from the South Downs National Park to the landscape assessed, both being Open Downs by landscape character. South Downs National Park status recognises the  pedigree of this landscape; its high scenic quality and its associations. This National Park status seeks to safeguard the landscape. In writing the landscape assessment Landvision has helped in protecting the South Downs National Park. To conserve this very special and inspiring landscape for future generations to enjoy.

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Ecology in LVIA; Value of Fauna and flora in LVIA reports in Sussex

Mitigation in LVIA in Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent

Importance of Cumulative Effects and LVIAs in Sussex, Kent and Surrey

LVIA reports in Sussex, Kent and Surrey

Tips for successful LVIAs in Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and Wiltshire.

Tip 1 – Using a Baseline Assessment Check list.

Tips for successful LVIAs in Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and Wiltshire. LVIAs can be required for developments in protected, sensitive landscapes; Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) like High Weald, Kent and Sussex. LVIAs are required for developments in National Parks, in New Forest or South Downs. If there is a National Nature Reserve or SSSI nearby; LVIAs will be required to determine landscape effects. The South Downs National Park have published Assessing Impacts on the Landscape, Wildlife and Cultural Heritage of the South Downs National Park.   The Baseline Assessment Checklist contained in this document helps the South Downs National Park Authority to decide if an LVIA is required. If you require help, Landvision can advise on filling in this checklist. Ring us on 01892 782200.

Tip 2 – A general tip.

Another top Tips for successful LVIAs in Sussex or Kent is to use the Pre Application Advice service offered by the Local Planning Authority. Officers will give you feedback on your proposal and what they will require in terms of surveys and reports they may require to help a planning submission. We would recommend using a Town Planner at this stage (See the RTPI Website for help). The town planner will know about the national and local  planning policies. National and local planning policy framework has been in a state of flux for several years and it can be difficult for lay people to understand which polices are currently in use. Knowing this is important as the policies guide planning officers when they decide whether to support an application or not.

 Tip 3 – Use Scoping

Use a qualified Landscape Architect (such as Landvision) to do your scoping. Scoping determines the level of work in the LVIAs in Sussex, Kent, Surrey, Hampshire and Wiltshire. This scoping helps to set the level of LVIA and size of study area required. Scoping helps to ensure that visual amenity of landscape is analyses. LVIA scoping can also ensure that scale of proposed development and location feed into size of LVIA. This can save the client time and money.

(See our Landvision blog for details.)

Tip 4 – Large scale developments tend to require LVIAs.

Generally speaking, larger scale developments, require comprehensive LVIAs in Essex, Kent and Sussex. For example, an mining operation in an AONB in Kent or Sussex will need to show potential landscape or visual effects. Plus there will often be a need to look at mitigation. Restoration and after care of landscapes are a normal part of LVIA mitigation for a large scale project which may have significant adverse landscape effects or visual impacts. Landvision can help to advise on the restoration and management of landscapes.

Tip 5 – Culture and History in LVIAs.

LVIAs in historic landscapes such as Ancient Semi- Natural woodland in Wiltshire, Surrey, Sussex and Kent, have strong cultural associations. That is, landscape character,local identity, sense of place are linked to history. So, LVIAs in these historic areas must cover the culture and heritage of these historic landscapes. There is normally a need for mitigation in historic areas as part of LVIAs in Essex, Hampshire and Wiltshire. In order to protect these sensitive, irreplaceable, landscapes, specialist historic studies, can be required. For example, archaeological digs of old charcoal pits or of old marl pits in woods in Sussex, or heritage studies of industrial historic landscapes, such as old tanneries along Roman roads in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire. The latest LVIA Guidelines (3rd Edition) place greater emphasis on the value of historic and heritage landscapes; to be included in any LVIA baseline studies in Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

Tip 6 – Cumulative effects.

Don’t forget to assess and look for any Cumulative Effects in the LVIA of the development. Cumulative effects can occur on older, more complex, larger projects. That is, where new developments are added to already existing buildings and developed areas. The LVIAs undertaken in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire and the proposed mitigation they require will take these different cumulative effects into account.

For more information or to discuss your next project call Landvision now on 01892 782200.

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This post is one of a series on Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) with case studies. The other title in the series inculde:

Ecology in LVIA; Value of Fauna and flora in LVIA reports in Sussex

Mitigation in LVIA in Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent

Importance of Cumulative Effects and LVIAs in Sussex, Kent and Surrey

LVIA reports in Sussex, Kent and Surrey

EIAs and LVIAs in Sussex, Wiltshire and Hampshire require scoping as part of the framework of EIAs and LVIAs. Scoping determines the need for the EIA and LVIA to be undertaken, as well as identifying likely scale of changes in landscape effects and visual amenity due to a proposed development, such as for example, a bio digester, pylons associated with potential new wind farms and associated buildings located in sensitive areas of Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Essex.

One of the secrets of scoping for  LVIAs in Sussex, Wiltshire and Hampshire is that scoping will encompass assessment of direct changes on landscape itself and changes in views enjoyed by people. The scoping will thus cover alteration in visual amenity as a result of the change in landscape due to the proposed development. Scoping in EIAs and LVIAs may also encompass changes in ecosystem services delivered by landscape as a result of the development in Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

Prior to the detailed LVIA being carried out, scoping is a first step in the LVIAs carried out on developments in Wiltshire, Sussex and Hampshire. The scoping will enable LVIAs in these southern counties to be proportional to scale of development proposed. Scoping is thus an early stage in the LVIA process of developments LVIAs in Sussex, Wiltshire and Hampshire and it determines what the LVIA will cover.

During EIA and LVIAs scoping studies in Wiltshire, Surrey, Kent and Essex will assess the scope of the EIAs and LVIAs. This is vital in setting the extent of work or Study area. For example, the Study area for a wind farm off the coast of the South Downs National park is far more likely to cover a greater geographic area than a residential development in a less protected part of the Low Weald landscape of Sussex or Surrey.

The secrets of scoping in LVIAs in Sussex, Wiltshire and Hampshire lie in determining the scale of the development as well as the location of the development. These are both important factors in determining the LVIA work in Wiltshire, Sussex or Surrey. Scoping will also help to determine the relevant information sources that are required on landscape and visual effects in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Sussex. The nature of the possible landscape effects might be changes in the landscape amenity of the National Park of the South Downs in Sussex or of the National Park in the New Forest in Hampshire. Those effects on landscape would be regarded as being most significant due to the protected status of the landscapes and this scoping information would feed into LVIA in Sussex and Hampshire, to determine the scale of the LVIA required.

As part of the Scoping assessment work of LVIAs in Wiltshire, Hampshire and Surrey; likely and potential receptors will be identified. These will normally be both people living and working in the landscapes in Kent, Surrey or Essex. They are also people who are most likely to be affected by any changes in visual amenity in the South Downs National Park of Sussex for instance; these receptors will be visitors to that landscape such as walkers, cyclists or campers.
The extent and appropriate level of detail will thus be determined by the scale of the development as well as its location.

The scoping will help to determine the landscape effects and likely visual impacts of developments and associated LVIAs required for projects in Sussex, Wiltshire and Hampshire.

Charmaine Noel is a Founder Member of Landvision, which is a Workers Co operative. She has 25 years experience of working on LVIAs, many of which are in protected landscapes, with mitigation schemes. Charmaine would be happy to discuss your scheme with you.

Likely significant cumulative effects may also be investigated as part of the LVIAS in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. For more information, see our Landvision blog or tel 01892 782200 or use our contact page

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This post is one of a series on Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) with case studies. The other title in the series include:

Ecology in LVIA; Value of Fauna and flora in LVIA reports in Sussex

Mitigation in LVIA in Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent

Importance of Cumulative Effects and LVIAs in Sussex, Kent and Surrey

LVIA reports in Sussex, Kent and Surrey

 Secrets of scoping for LVIAs in Sussex, , Wiltshire and Hampshire

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) may be part of the EIA process for projects in Sussex and Surrey that require planning permission.  Projects in Sussex, Surrey and Kent or Hampshire frequently consent procedures. If they are located within a Special landscape Area or in the South Downs National Park, an LVIA may well be required and is undertaken by Landvision. Projects in Sussex and Surrey which require LVIAs  include agricultural or semi natural land converted into more intensive agricultural use. LVIAs  in Kent and Hampshire may thus include agricultural areas where the proposed use of soil improves, fertilizers or installation of drainage schemes. may alter landscape character. In these parts of Kent, Hampshire, Sussex and Surrey, landscape effects and visual impacts may be assessed. LVIAs undertaken by Landvision can include reclamation of land from the sea or installation of irrigation which both require LVIAs  as part of the landscape planning process. Other recent projects requiring LVIAs have included a farm expansion scheme on agricultural land in the North Downs SLA of Kent and LVIAs for new housing in South Downs National Park in Sussex.

The Baseline Checklist for SDNP  can be download here.

The EU Directive 20 11/92/EU The Assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment, calls for measures to assess likely and significant effects on environment, due to size, location and nature of these proposed projects. For example, The installation of solar farms or onshore gas and oil exploration rigs and wells, may have some significant environmental effects. The LVIAs or landscape effects and visual impacts of other proposed projects may include; installation of new pylons, new industrial style buildings and changes to previously uninterrupted views. If located in SDNP or AONBs or SLAS, these changes, in landscapes open to views in Sussex and Kent may require EIAs and LVIAs and associated mitigation.

Stewardship of unspoiled landscapes and Conservation of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty is important, to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of our Surrey and Hampshire countryside. Cultural heritage is recognized in LVIAs as important and strongly associated with stewardship and conservation ideals of LVIAs in the Home counties. To preserve landscape character intact and not erode landscape quality, LVIAs are required in AONBs in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire. If you have sites in an AONB in Kent or Sussex or in the SDNP (South Downs National Park) in Sussex, for more information on how we can help and advise you on your project, call us at Landvision, 01892 782200 or use the contact page as the page title suggests ( Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) with case studies).

You can ask questions on the blog about LVIAs.

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Landvision landscape architects undertake Environmental Statements (ES) reports and Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) reports  across South East England, including Kent and Sussex. The ES and (LVIA) Landscape Visual Impact reports are required by LPAs (Local Planning Authorities) for a wide variety of projects in Sussex Kent and Surrey across the High Weald  or North Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or within the Southdowns National Park.

Latest Guidelines for the methodology used for ES and (LVIA) Landscape Visual Impact reports in Sussex, were revised in 2013 and now include increased value placed on recognizing importance of History and Cultural Heritage in LVIAs. Also, cumulative effects are now deemed more important in LVIAs. Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, 3^rd Edition, by The landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Management and point to the increasing importance of both history and cultural heritage aspects and cumulative effects as being relevant to LVIAs in Kent and Sussex.

History and Cultural Heritage in Sussex, Kent and Surrey, is an intrinsic part of the LVIA framework of assessment. This includes; looking at historic landscape of Sussex , Kent and Surrey; setting of listed buildings and scheduled monuments. Also, other historic features in the landscape, such as historic hedgerows, Ancient woodlands, historic settlement patterns and old, moated manor houses. The LVIAs by Landvision in the 3 Counties will take historic elements into account, when appraising Cultural heritage in the LVIA.

Why is History and Cultural Heritage important in LVIA in Sussex? One of the first steps of our LVIA process, is to describe the baseline landscape and the effects of the development on the baseline. This requires information on history of the landscape in Sussex, its evolution to the present and the Cultural associations of this Sussex local history. The valued parts of History and Cultural heritage will be protected and mitigation will be requested in the report as part of the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments in Sussex.

The screening process by Landvision will consider characteristics of the project and whether proposed development will have any effects on baseline landscape in Sussex. What will these be and can they mitigated for? An overall description of the characteristics of the proposed development will be the project specification which is described. The layout, siting and components of the proposed development. Thus any LVIA will be based on these elements. History and Cultural Heritage of Sussex will form a part of this baseline assessment work. The nature of the landscape and visual effects, especially where these concern the setting of listed buildings and scheduled monuments, will be defined in LVIA reports for developments in Sussex.

As part of the ES and Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) reports, mitigation proposals and enhancement proposals may be required. Environmental Statement Reports and LVIA reports by Landvision will frequently describe any mitigation and monitoring of the effects which are predicted by the LVIA and ES assessment reports. For further information; please go to the contacts page or ring us on Landvision 01892 782200.

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Then 3pm to 430 pm we will look at some historic landscape features such as old hedgerows.

Join us to walk along some of the old historic hedgerows in East Sussex and learn about our amazing botanical heritage. Come along to spot Wild primroses, Foxglove, Dog Violets and other early spring plants.

Ancient hedgerows are often located on hedge banks with ditches. They can form old boundaries to fields and Parklands, such as deer parks, perhaps King Henry VIII’s old hunting grounds.

Many of the East Sussex hedgerows have been managed by hedge laying,for hundreds of years, to make them stock proof. These hedgerows are connected to Ancient semi-natural woodlands and they form part of the historic landscape surrounding the village of Wadhurst. These hedgerows are impossible to recreate authentically and are vulnerable to disturbance. For these reasons, it is important to protect our ancient hedgerows and their species of plants and animals, as well as the soils associated with them. We will take you on a tour of our unique old historic hedgerows; landvision.co.uk.

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Another different landscape character area? The Ashdown Forest; open, bracken strewn, heather lowland heathland, nonetheless windswept and wild looking with a certain distinctive “look” within the High Weald landscape character area. One more?
The Norfolk Broads are wetlands, a very different landscape character type to the Downs, but just as important in terms of landscape character, just as distinctive…

So, what elements make these very different,landscape character types distinctive?
When someone mentions the South Downs to me, conjured up in my mind is an image of its intrinsic landscape character. South Downs equals = sheep grazing the slopes of the Downs on a sunny day with blue skies stretching away.
Norfolk Broads? = man rowing a boat, bulrushes, wetland birds settling on dark blue water.. sunsets…

You get the picture.

Why not do a few of these yourself?

You will probably come up with your “favourite” landscapes and its what makes them distinctive that gives them…yes, you’ve guessed it… their “landscape character”!

So, why should we preserve and protect these landscape character areas? How can you make a start?

Look at the area in which you live. If you are lucky enough to live in an SLA (Special Landscape Area) or an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) then there will be plenty of natural landscape features such as woods, hedges and farmland, old listed buildings.

What makes your area distinctive? What are the historic settlement patterns? There may be listed buildings, old barns, oast houses even, surrounded by fields with empty hop poles..(very distinctive.)

Are there any natural features that derive from the soils and the topography?
What are these? Are you sure? What about escarpments and scarp slopes, dip slopes, valleys and ponds. (Yes, I knew your O level geography would come in useful.)What about the landscape, is it managed? Are there animals or is it largely urban? Are there any areas which could be improved?
How could we do this? Can you think of things that you could do to help?

You may ask why anyone would want to start doing these things, why start asking these questions?
Its quite simple. When your local authority asks for feedback on its local plan, you will be able to put forward your ideas! Equally, you could start a new group to safeguard features that you like. Or join a society to find out more about your local landscape, its history, how it evolved, the communities it has served.

Landscape character assessment is a very useful tool in planning too. It helps planners to earmark areas for protection and this means that any new developments must be carefully located so as to preserve and enhance the landscape for future generations to enjoy. In many cases the long term protection of our landscape requires active improvements to a particular locality. Not just a preservation of a place in moth balls. It requires active involvement.

If you have questions about how to improve your local landscape please email;charmaine@landvision.co.uk
if you have a landscape design inquiry or question on landscape character assessment, call Landvision 01892 782200 or visit; landvision.co.uk and take a look at our website today.

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