Embedding Landscape in
your Neighbourhood Plan
How to create a local landscape
character assessment
Workshop format
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Introductions
Presentation – introducing Local
Landscape Character Assessment
Workshop activity
Engaging the wider community.
Why?
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Creates strong evidence base for Neighbourhood
Plan.
Clear expression of how community sits in its wider,
but local, environmental setting
Maps the character of the whole
parish/Neighbourhood Area
People who live in an area know it best.
Celebrates the importance of the landscape to the
community
Is a recorded understanding of what makes these
landscapes special & valued by local communities.
What is Landscape
Character Assessment?
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The tool that is used to help us to
understand, and articulate, the character of
the landscape. It helps us identify the
features that give a locality its 'sense of
place' and pinpoints what makes it different
from neighbouring areas."
(Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for
England and Scotland, The Countryside Agency and
Scottish Natural Heritage, 2002)
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Is a technique for classifying &
describing the landscape.
Process has evolved over 30 years
Understanding what makes one place
different from another.
Usually done at district, borough or
county level.
Landscape- What does it
mean?
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“Landscape
is about the relationships between
people & place…….People’s perceptions turn
land into the concept of landscape.
It is not just about visual perception….Landscape
character is the pattern that arises from particular
combinations of different components which
provide a sense of place to our surroundings.
Landscape Character Assessment – Guidance for England & Scotland
(Countryside Agency 2002).
All the factors that make up Landscape.
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Shape, layout of towns & villages.
Geology
Soils & Habitats
Archaeological / Historic Features
Hedge & Field Patterns
Tree/woodland pattern
Condition
Pressures
Distinctive features
Landscape character
Assessment
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Local Authority should have in place a
Landscape Character Assessment –starting place
Example
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Map shows area
Description
Key Landscape Characteristics
Components
Local Landscape
Character Assessment
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Aims to discover what the community
values, what their landscapes special
qualities are & enable them to have a
say in how the character can be
conserved & enhanced by identifying
opportunities & issues to best manage
change.
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Objective
Subjective
Activity One
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Using the Map and photos
Pull out the relevant statements from
the Landscape Character Assessment
from each topic.
Activity two – Local Detail
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Break it down to the local level
LCAs tend to cover quite wide areas
it’s a chance to look at the local detail.
Site Survey sheets
Using the same photos and map again
add the local detail to the description.
Activity three
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Add value – how might you go out into
the wider community & discover how
they ‘value’ the landscape
Involving the wider
community
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Have fun!
Link with other NDP consultation
Piggy back on existing social calendar.
Introductory workshop
Group walk
Shared lunch with local food
Detailed workshop – photos, flag
mapping,
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Involve all age groups – Younger kids
– make a collage, where do they like
to play.
Older kids – give them disposable
cameras. Videos, Create a display.
Questions
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Where do you walk your dog?
If you had friends visiting where would
you take them?
Where’s the best place for a picnic?
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Creating a collective view of the
landscapes special qualities and the
issues where there has been greatest
consensus.
Use maps to clarify important views &
valued local features, green spaces &
connections between them.
Further Info
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Speak to the Landscape team at your
Local Authority.
CPRE
Guidance documents.
Any questions?