Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is a metric and an approach to development that aims to leave the natural environment in a better state than it was before, where the state is determined by ecological metrics defined by Natural England, and where the gain is assessed by a Local Planning Authority (LPA). [1] [2]

What is the Biodiversity Net Gain Metric?

As the law on BNG currently stands, the metric is defined by identifying habitat types, e.g. river, hedge, meadow, etc., which then are used to calculate parts of the metric itself. These are indicators of current and projected Biodiversity in certain areas. Below, see an example of the metric BNG version 3.1, which comes as an excel spreadsheet.

The current version at the time of writing, BNG version 3.1 accounts for changes between  Pre-development and Post-development, also Post-intervention habitats, e.g. future biodiversity offset estimates. With temporal, spatial, and difficulty multipliers acting on ecological facts, the final outcome of the metric value, the BNG percentage is, at best, an informed expert interpretation of the ecological facts given the development work carried out both on and off-site.

Aside from filling out the BNG spreadsheet to get a final percentage metric, Gantt charts can be used to illustrate the process in detail, to help others involved in project management and planning.

You can download information about the metric here and see the spreadsheet referenced in the above images here. [3]

The Biodiversity Net Gain Guide.

We recommend consulting an expert ecologist, and optionally a landscape architect to advise you during the project’s design process. Consulting an expert is necessary to mitigate costs that can be incurred due to the destruction of ecological features on-site. If such features are destroyed, significant extra cost and effort are required to then increase the BNG. Baseline units and gains are determined by the use of the spreadsheet which gives a result based on the final design and net change in biodiversity units.

Mitigation hierarchy.

The Mitigation hierarchy is an important concept, and protects the environment in order of precedence. The hierarchy should be applied to every development.

1. Avoid harm.
2. Minimise harm
3. Rehabilitate and enhance onsite
4. If the development cannot do 1-3 use offsite offsetting.

In terms of costs, 1. avoiding harm, e.g. protecting trees and topsoil in situ, incurs minimal cost.

You get in touch with expert ecologists from Landvision to discuss your project’s needs. To do so, visit our contact us page.

What’s next for Biodiversity Net Gain Metric?

Natural England is set to this policy for the foreseeable future, however, they will continue to finetune the metric over the coming years, in order to increase the certainty that the measures of this policy indeed work, according to the view of experts, as stated on the Natural England blog.

It is vitally important that habitats are managed and maintained for the duration of the BNG agreement (30 years) and that, if necessary, corrective measures are implemented if the BNG outcomes forecast through the metric are not forthcoming. None of us wants to see an outcome that looks good in the metrics calculation but then fails to materialise on the ground. [2]

Additionally, understanding the end impact of a project can take a long time, which is why Natural England aims to extend the monitoring of sites for longer.

Currently many habitat plans only consider what is needed over a 5-10-year period. BNG requires habitats be secured for at least 30 years, which means they must be managed and monitored. [2]

Note, that this includes funding of both site management and monitoring of the natural areas by ecological consultants.

To conclude, and reiterate Natural England, the outcome of biodiversity net gain is not just about the metric, it is also up to the ecologist to liaise with the LPA to determine whether the metric works. As to whether the metric really works in practice, a registry of data will be maintained of sites that deliver BNG, which will help work as a means of iterating and finetuning the policy.

Summary of Biodiversity Net Gain Guide.

In summary, developers need to take into account the natural environment when they are planning a project by hiring an ecologist at an early stage. The Biodiversity Net Gain metric is the tool ecologists will use to account for the environmental impact of the project.

If you need to consult an expert ecologist for your project. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

References

[1] – https://www.local.gov.uk/pas/topics/environment/biodiversity-net-gain

[2] – https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2021/09/21/biodiversity-net-gain-more-than-just-a-number/

[3] – http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/6049804846366720

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The population of London is expected to grow from 8.96 million in 2021 to 9.4 million in 2030 [1] and to 11 million by 2050 [2]. As it grows, the Greater London Authority (GLA) is committed to making London a greener city by increasing Urban Green Ratio.

In addition to the growth in population, London is experiencing a rapid increase in the number of tall buildings. The New London Architecture’s annual review of skyscrapers over 20 storeys or more states that there are 587 tall buildings in the pipeline in London – with 310 granted full planning permission and 127 under consideration. [3]

“City of London skyscrapers” by futureshape is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The tall buildings will be accompanied by an increase in the number of smaller buildings.

In the last two decades, the GLA has taken a number of steps to protect the green spaces in London. The London Plan has set out policies to protect the green spaces in London.

The GLA set out the primary planning goals for the Central Activities Zone as to: (a) increase green space; (b) improve air quality; (c) reduce the UHI effect (heat island) and (d) prevent flash floods, with climate change adaptation and mitigation seen as a cross cutting issue. [4]

These goals are united in conserving, generating and enhancing green spaces in London.

The GLA has estimated that the green spaces in London will need to increase by a minimum of one million square metres by 2050.

The Mayor’s London Plan in which two goals relate to urban green space and aim at addressing vegetation loss, overheating and flooding. To address the former it was envisioned to plant 2 million trees and to increase green space by 5 % by 2030 and another 5 % by 2050 (2011a), with the street tree programme especially targeting areas known to experience overheating. It also has a Living Roofs and Walls scheme focused on creating green roofs and recreational living roofs and green walls to help London adapt to the risks of climate change such as flooding, overheating, drought; and reducing the urban heat island effect in the city (GLA, 2008). [5]

Solutions

To increase urban green ratio in London, there is a need to develop innovative solutions. One of the solutions is to use green infrastructure in cities. It is the network of green spaces, rivers and wetlands, as well as features in urban spaces such as street trees and green roofs, that provide the natural environment for wildlife and people.

Green infrastructure can help to alleviate the effects of climate change. It can also help to increase biodiversity and enhance the quality of life of London residents.

One key example of green infrastructure (and blue links) is the Thames Estuary, which is the largest wetland in the UK. It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including the famous Bewick’s swans.

“Bewick’s swan” by Marie Hale is licensed under CC BY 2.0

In the past, the Thames Estuary was very polluted by sewage and industrial waste. But in the 1970s, the government decided to clean up the Thames Estuary. They spent a lot of money on the clean-up. Nature based solutions can offer enhanced green spaces which also function as ways of tackling pollution, the urban heat island effect, and help with drainage.

There is a growing awareness and evidence base for the multiple benefits of green infrastructure in addition to the habitat it inherently provides to wildlife, including wellbeing of London residents and its role to alleviate the affects of climate change.

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The need for Natural Landscapes and accessible public green space.

The need for Landscapes for human well being is increasing  This includes the need for Natural landscapes for good mental health and wellbeing. Especially following events such as the pandemic Covid 19 and during wars. Historically humans have needed green space and natural landscapes such as National Parks as a place of reprieve and respite. Urban and rural open spaces are vital for the smooth functionning of modern day society. Natural Landscapes can be truly beneficial to us as individuals or in groups. They are a vital highly valued finite resource for use by the larger community. By protecting and enhancing natural landscapes, we can provide a powerful and largely free antidote to busy everyday life. The need for Landscapes for human well being

We aim to design, create and manage beautiful landscapes. By making high quality green space accessible to all, we reduce pressure on important services such as public health and social services, leaving spending for those who really need it. The need for Natural Landscapes for good mental health & wellbeing is now recognised by research.

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By conserving and enhancing the quality of natural landscapes, we can restore our sense of calm and well being. Accessibility is vital, as we all benefit from a connection to nature.

This need for tranquility and calm is reflected in the demand for access to natural landscapes, National Parks such as South Downs National Park, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) such as the High Weald AONB, as well as other more remote landscapes.

Organisations such as the National Trust promote accessibility to green spaces in their rural estates, variety of gardens, historic parkland and important coastline landscapes. Wildlife Trusts such as Sussex Wildlife Trust manage wildlife reserves for the benefit of biodiversity, and these sensitively managed spaces are important natural landscapes.

The need for Landscapes for human well being,  why are natural landscapes important?

As a species, humans originally evolved as hunter gatherers. This transitioned to farmers as hunter-gatherer bands began to settle. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests not only do we need the land for survival, in terms of resources such as food, but, in fact that landscapes are also vital in promoting our physical and mental health. That the need for Natural Landscapes for good mental health & wellbeing is increasing.

Research has shown that we can all benefit greatly by increasing access to natural landscapes and green spaces, connecting to nature in our local neighbourhoods.

How can Landscapes help us?

Health and Landscapes

It is now widely understood that there is a strong link between our health and the landscapes around us so it is proven that the need for Landscapes for human well being is there. By increasing access to natural landscapes and green spaces, and connecting with nature in our everyday lives, we can all benefit greatly in terms of our physical and mental health.

Increase in activity:

It is widely known that when we are outdoors, we are more active. Activity and exercise are very important in maintaining overall health. Physically, many health problems can be linked to inactivity and obesity. Some examples spring to mind immediately such as stroke, heart disease or cancer. Other examples may be less obvious. Conditions influenced by inactivity present with an entire range of co-morbid health problems, with links to greater risk of poor health outcomes.

By increasing the quality, accessibility, the size and number of landscapes aswell as green links via green infrastructure we can help society to be more healthy. By encouraging public use of these natural landscapes, we can therefore encourage healthier lifestyles overall. The prevention of poor outcomes and long term disease is something that can be directly influenced by this knowledge of how to manage and optimise use of landscapes. This knowledge, through sensitive landscape design and management, will lead to far better outcomes for whole communities and a fitter and healthier population, and helping prove the need for Landscapes for human well being. Use of local green space, (and staycations) may also help to reduce carbon footprints aiding the slow down of climate change.

Improving mental health:

There is now a wealth of evidence to suggest that time spent in natural landscapes can have a profound effect on our mental health. In a fast–paced, technology driven world, it is more important than ever that we take time to disconnect from our screens and reconnect with nature. By doing so, we can improve our concentration and productivity, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase our sense of well–being.

Reducing stress and anxiety:

The need for fresh air and Natural Landscapes for good mental health & wellbeing has been demonstrated during pandemics such as Covid 19 (2020-2022 onwards). Not only does activity in our local green spaces and wider landscapes reduce stress and anxiety through the production of endorphins, but there is a growing body of research that suggest just being outside in natural landscapes really does help to make us happier and healthier. It’s a win win situation for all and the need to protect these landscapes has never been more urgent.

Technology detox:

In our fast–paced, technology driven world, it is more important than ever that we take time to disconnect from our screens and reconnect with nature. By doing so, we can improve our concentration and productivity, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase our sense of well–being. We all know how good it feels to spend time in nature, but sometimes it can be hard to find the time, or we may not have access to green spaces where we live. However, there are ways to bring nature into our everyday lives, even if we live in an urban environment. By making small changes to our daily routine, we can reap the benefits of time spent in nature, even if we only have a few minutes to spare.

The importance of viewing natural beauty:

The need for Natural Landscapes for good mental health & wellbeing has been proven. That by simply looking at scenes of natural beauty, this can have a positive impact on our mental health. Studies have shown that looking at nature can reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and improve our mood and sense of well–being. So, next time you are feeling stressed, anxious or down, take a few minutes to step outside and look at the natural world around you. Even if you live in an urban environment, you can find beauty in the simplest of things, such as seasonal leaf clour of a tree nearby, blossom, or areas of grassland, especially if there are flowering wildflowers and grasses included in the landscape.

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• Landscape supports health and wellbeing. Landscape character when coinserved and enhanced helps to sustain local distinctiveness. Cultural identity is intrinsic to landscape character and LVIAs assist and contribute to quality of life. This can be in Lifestyle and is part of National identity, with huge benefits as  well as for visitor economy.
• It helps to recognize the importance of landscapes like national scenic areas,  coastal landscapes, national parks,  and wildest landscapes which are set up. The wildest places compliment others such as the formal landscaped areas of parks and gardens, and they become part of the urban cene, whilst protected countryside backdrops form parts of the landscape setting of towns and cities.
• Landvision’s input and landscape services also helps to promote a planned approach to development that reflects the dynamic nature of the landscape and the challenge presented by climate change.
• The quality of the environment is safeguarded, with proper landscape green infrastructure, so that there are added bonuses of being able to put in place prioritizing for improvements across the country.
• Our landscape planning policy incoludes an understanding of how that policy works in reality. This includes setting up Scottish government policy on land that is available, to enable people to be able to explain how land use planning works and how that reflects government policy, that aims to conserve and enhance the landscape, through sensitive development areas.

A Landscape Development Plan includes;

The directive in a useful domestic, home setting or a commercial landscape setting can be approached by a step by step process to make the desired changes.  From drawing of the first the rough sketch, to formulating more complex design ideas, we let our client know the general idea of how the design is going to look, and how it will be, for each of the landscape areas. Then we create a final plan of the detailed design, to the scale drawing, which varies to whatever is required for the project.

• We draw a base plan that includes your berif and requests, as well as our advice
• Develop a list of existing and desired outdoor features
• We outline the major landscape areas
• Locate desired features in proper landscape areas
• Developed the final landscape plan

Our attractive Landscape Planning and development plan will be attractive. The design principle of the landscape is to conserve key fetures of landscape character, syuch a smature trees, beautiful views, and to screen off unwanted or unsightly views. We design useable, practical landscapes because we locate play with utility Areas. We also enhance the general look of the setting, by locating play areas in pleaces where they don’t attract from the home. We can design planting schemes to suit your budget, and maintenance brief for your commercial space.  We do not try to overplant, as we know the ultimate sizes of plants, and so our plans allow for the natural the growth of for example, the shrub or the tree.  Our experts consider planting large shrubs and trees, as well as smaller plants for example for smaller sites in cities, or a scheme for the seting of a small house. That is why our schemes are so popular , as they are always bespoke. As each site needs different approaches to design.  The design varies from large to small, with plant sizes tapering from larger shrubs to a special focal pont such as a statue or a fountain in a formal garden setting. This could be a specimen tree planted with a bench at the corner.

Tree surveys.

Landvision has acquired great skill at undertaking tree safety surveys that will help you to manage your tree stock safely. Their experts will give you arboriculture advice about how to manage the trees on your landscape. They can also give some tips about minimizing any risk from trees on your site. Landvision’s experts provide tree safety advice as well as arranging and discussing how for you to allocate tree safety services on various sites that include;  sites owned by a variety of local authorities,  sites which are commercial land, with trained personnel, many of whom have honors degrees in landscape, and indepth landscape training. We will be liaising on your behalf with architect and construction professionals, to construct projects that really work well and look great, whilst retaining mature tree cover as far as practical.

The basic tree safety survey is undertaken by a Landvision professional, to assess the potential hazard to people. That hazard may be from placing a new structure near to or in the root protection area of trees, without obtaining specialist advice first.  The very basic understanding of the process, involves the information about the tree and is health which is collected and analysed by the arboricultural professional of Landvision. The tree safety surveys should be used as a form of supplementary data to assess the risk from trees; for example for restoration sites. This will make the site safer for everyone from the volunteer, and for construction workers, as well as for the visitor who is not normally on the site, or may be temporarily working on the site.

We are sure that landviison provide a tip top service on trees, with the following things  being included, after getting all the information and gathering it together, to lower the risk of trees on all parts of a restoration site. Services we offer include tree safety and BS 5837: 2012 tree survey, and that is;

• Reporting about the tree
• Preliminary site survey and consultation with client
• Determining the scope of the survey
• Tree protection, site planning and site safety preparation
• Tree  risk management
• Tree health, assessment and recommendations

We discuss the expectation of our client while conserving their landscape trees, serving the landscape as well as the client. We will also need to obtain relevant permission for site access. We will arrange all our material and tools before we arrive, so that we provide our full services. We will require written confirmation of agreed criteria for tree surveys.  The surveyor’s proposed process and the training and personal capabilities of the surveyor’s knowledge are all outlined to the client.  Our surveys range from identifying the trees that are an immediate threat to people, to those that also need to be inlcuded in the assessment. Every tree within a target area, known as the construction zone, and their potential hazards, will be listed in a Tree Schedule.

We handle tree risk management very seriously and will make tree assessment surveys avaiulable to the client and LPA where the latter requires the report. The things which we will include will be to look out for cacks in the tree, dead branches and falking bark. There is a echnological revolution afoot and there are lots of new ways to transmit data, with new ways of data storage. The location of plant and machinery,  and the drawing up of site boundaries, and work compounds’ locations, are determined following tree sfaety surveys. Tree surveys can include trees in and next to recreational areas. Due to higher levels of use, that could call for more detailed surveys and made a priority in the service schedule that to be listed.

The tree is a vital landscape fetaure. Many people have an attachment itself inspection by our team,  your local environment can play an important part in the trees current condition in which the trees are situated good pose other risks to the server,  slope,  tree lean,  tree density and weather etc.

Conclusion-

The company offers three safety services at school sites, private residential properties, streets trees and public open spaces at most affordable prices around the country.  The Landvision team is well qualified and is experienced in arboriculture, to assess the significant defects of certain trees. Trees in the city may have some long lasting defects, so it is vital to to provide tree safety surveys especially when a tree shows visible early warning signs before their failure. For more information about tree root protection.

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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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LVIA and Designated landscapes.

In our long-running articles on LIVA, Charmaine Noel has written this one on LVIA and Designated landscapes. There is a hierarchy of designations for landscapes in the UK.

International and National designations.

These are the most highly protected landscapes; they have formal statutory protection which varies depending on which part of the UK you are in.

National Parks.

National Park; for example the South Downs National Park, but also National Parks in other parts of England, Wales, and Scotland.

If an LVIA is near to a National Park, it is vital that the value of the landscape and the basis for the national designation is looked at. Why is the landscape considered to be of national value? It may inspire or give feelings of tranquility and remoteness. There may be a unique sense of place derived from the views or great scenic beauty.  All of these can form part of the reasons for the highest landscape value and level of protection which is attached to a National Park. for example, South Downs National Park

Why does a particular landscape have a designation? What does this mean in the current climate and how will this landscape need to be managed as a consequence of its designation?

What aspects of a landscape designation are represented in the study area? These landscape features or characteristics will form part of the LVIA assessment. They may also be crucial in determining whether a particular landscape can accommodate change, or not.

Other National levels of Landscape designation are;

National Scenic Areas (Scotland.)

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) –  such as High Weald AONB (Kent, Sussex, Surrey), 

Surrey Hills AONB

Chichester Harbour AONB

Local landscape designations.

Locally protected areas under Local Plan designations (Areas of Great Landscape Value(AGLVs) Special landscape Areas (SLAs) buffer zones for AONBs, whilst Local Plans may show the extent of these areas as well as policies for Local landscape designations.

Conservation Areas.

Listed Buildings.

Tree Preservation Orders or TPO’s.

Important historic hedgerows.

Cultural heritage landscapes; historic landscapes, these may include listed gardens, historic sites such as castles or battlefields.

Valued landscapes – for instance, landscapes associated with a particular artist or writer.

So, how do we establish the value of a particular landscape? It is useful to look up the landscape designations and landscape character assessments.

Desk study forms part of the research undertaken prior to carrying out fieldwork. Local landscape character assessments, plus national landscape character assessments will help to determine the existing landscape character baseline of a site, as well as the certain values which society places on particular aspects of a landscape.

The collection of field survey notes of the up to date condition of the landscape are also very important in assessing landscape condition, a sensitivity of the landscape and its ability to accommodate change.

For further details on your LVIA, contact the Landvision team 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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