Embedding Landscape in your Neighbourhood Plan How to create a local landscape character assessment

Workshop format Introductions Introductions Presentation – introducing Local Landscape Character Assessment Presentation – introducing Local Landscape Character Assessment Workshop activity Workshop activity Engaging the wider community. Engaging the wider community.

Why? Creates strong evidence base for Neighbourhood Plan. Creates strong evidence base for Neighbourhood Plan. Clear expression of how community sits in its wider, but local, environmental setting Clear expression of how community sits in its wider, but local, environmental setting Maps the character of the whole parish/Neighbourhood Area Maps the character of the whole parish/Neighbourhood Area People who live in an area know it best. People who live in an area know it best. Celebrates the importance of the landscape to the community Celebrates the importance of the landscape to the community Is a recorded understanding of what makes these landscapes special & valued by local communities. Is a recorded understanding of what makes these landscapes special & valued by local communities.

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." 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) (Landscape Character Assessment: Guidance for England and Scotland, The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, 2002) What is Landscape Character Assessment?

Is a technique for classifying & describing the landscape. Is a technique for classifying & describing the landscape. Process has evolved over 30 years Process has evolved over 30 years Understanding what makes one place different from another. Understanding what makes one place different from another. Usually done at district, borough or county level. Usually done at district, borough or county level.

Landscape- What does it mean? “ Landscape is about the relationships between people & place…….People’s perceptions turn land into the concept of landscape. “ 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. 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). Landscape Character Assessment – Guidance for England & Scotland (Countryside Agency 2002).

Shape, layout of towns & villages. Shape, layout of towns & villages. Geology Geology Soils & Habitats Soils & Habitats Archaeological / Historic Features Archaeological / Historic Features Hedge & Field Patterns Hedge & Field Patterns Tree/woodland pattern Tree/woodland pattern Condition Condition Pressures Pressures Distinctive features Distinctive features All the factors that make up Landscape.

Landscape character Assessment Local Authority should have in place a Landscape Character Assessment –- starting place Local Authority should have in place a Landscape Character Assessment –- starting place

Example Map shows area Map shows area Description Description Key Landscape Characteristics Key Landscape Characteristics Components Components

Local Landscape Character Assessment 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. 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.

Objective Objective Subjective Subjective

Activity One Using the Map and photos Using the Map and photos Pull out the relevant statements from the Landscape Character Assessment from each topic. Pull out the relevant statements from the Landscape Character Assessment from each topic.

Activity two – Local Detail Break it down to the local level Break it down to the local level LCAs tend to cover quite wide areas it’s a chance to look at the local detail. LCAs tend to cover quite wide areas it’s a chance to look at the local detail. Site Survey sheets Site Survey sheets Using the same photos and map again add the local detail to the description. Using the same photos and map again add the local detail to the description.

Activity three Add value – how might you go out into the wider community & discover how they ‘value’ the landscape Add value – how might you go out into the wider community & discover how they ‘value’ the landscape

Involving the wider community Have fun! Have fun! Link with other NDP consultation Link with other NDP consultation Piggy back on existing social calendar. Piggy back on existing social calendar. Introductory workshop Introductory workshop Group walk Group walk Shared lunch with local food Shared lunch with local food Detailed workshop – photos, flag mapping, Detailed workshop – photos, flag mapping,

Involve all age groups – Younger kids – make a collage, where do they like to play. 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. Older kids – give them disposable cameras. Videos, Create a display.

Questions Where do you walk your dog? Where do you walk your dog? If you had friends visiting where would you take them? If you had friends visiting where would you take them? Where’s the best place for a picnic? Where’s the best place for a picnic?

Creating a collective view of the landscapes special qualities and the issues where there has been greatest consensus. 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. Use maps to clarify important views & valued local features, green spaces & connections between them.

Further Info Speak to the Landscape team at your Local Authority. Speak to the Landscape team at your Local Authority. CPRE CPRE Guidance documents. Guidance documents. Any questions? Any questions?