Hertfordshire County Council The Hertfordshire Landscape Character Assessment Applications and implications

Hertfordshire County Council This presentation Introduction to landscape character assessment How it differs from the predecessors Using landscape character assessments –current applications –potential applications –implications of increased use

Hertfordshire County Council Introduction to the landscape character assessment

Hertfordshire County Council What is it? process of looking at the landscape systematically, based on national guidance –analysis (physical,historical,cultural,social) –classification of landscape into types, or areas –careful description –evaluation - as a separate strand leads to a mosaic of areas on a map and relevant information about each area

Hertfordshire County Council Why do it? not a statutory requirement but… promoted by Countryside Commission/ Agency strongly encouraged by PPG7 & GPG regarded as an improved basis for strategy/policy for the wider landscape seems to be popular with stakeholders and other authorities, e.g. CPRE, HBF

Hertfordshire County Council Who is involved? Nationally: Countryside Agency has produced guidance on methodology Locally: –County & District councils –Landscape planning consultants –Community representatives Very locally: Town/Parish Councils & Developers

Hertfordshire County Council How much has been done so far? 67% rural Herts since % by 2005

Hertfordshire County Council What does an area statement look like? See

Hertfordshire County Council Why the latest assessments are better than their predecessors

Hertfordshire County Council Countryside Appraisal

Hertfordshire County Council Tracts were schematic

Hertfordshire County Council New boundaries follow physical landscape

Hertfordshire County Council Boundaries are not the only mismatch

Hertfordshire County Council This plain area was rated v.highly in 1969

Hertfordshire County Council Whereas places like Nomansland were not

Hertfordshire County Council Current application of landscape character assessments

Hertfordshire County Council Testing landscape change for impact on landscape character Just one example: Tewin plotlands

Hertfordshire County Council View of Tewin plotlands

Hertfordshire County Council This is what the character description says A consistent parkland character overlies any change in topography throughout this sinuous ribbon of floodplain pasture and woodland. Twentieth-century development and the busy transport network mask this character in some places.

Hertfordshire County Council These should be the key characteristics ribbon of floodplain pasture/woodland isolated farms/mills along + on slope foot dense boundary planting stopping views limited commercial diversification in valley pasture in river valley with some arable arable on gentle valley slopes abrupt transition to urban edge

Hertfordshire County Council This is the expected field pattern Field boundaries are either estate fencing or overgrown hedgerows, usually of oak or ash. Boundaries are more often oak or ash copses or plantation, to screen views in, frequently mature or over-mature. Field sizes vary from small (pasture) to medium (arable).

Hertfordshire County Council This is what the community thinks This is a distinctive and valued valley landscape. ( HCC/MORI survey 2001) 'The whole of the beautiful valley from Welwin (sic) to Hertford, including Digswell, Tewin Water, Panshanger and Cole Green, belonging to the same noble family...while each possesses its independent privacy and seclusion, their united woods and lawns will by extending through the whole valley, enrich the general face of the county.' (Repton)

Hertfordshire County Council These are the strategic guidelines protect historic parkland character screen from neighbouring development retain and manage pasture maintain watercourse and riverbanks link wetland habitats support agri-environmental schemes

Hertfordshire County Council But this is what plotlands do Reduce the validity of character summary Affect more than 2 key characteristics Introduce an untypical field pattern add nothing towards the strategic guidelines affect a significant part of Area 42 VERDICT: Plotlands are not in character

Hertfordshire County Council Some limitations of the character approach

Hertfordshire County Council Some limitations of character approach Reliant on planning context including –extent of Article 4 declarations, –uptake by change agents (e.g landowners, DEFRA) and regulators –community support Incomplete coverage (e.g. nr Stansted, and urban areas)

Hertfordshire County Council What are they being used for? Advise Local plan policy Provide a context for other documents (e.g. WCCF Plans, Parish Plans, EIAs) Countryside Interpretation Helping classify the suitability of areas for mineral extraction (this required a further evaluation stage undertaken by HCC’s CDU)

Hertfordshire County Council Potential applications

Hertfordshire County Council Testing AONB & Conservation areas

Hertfordshire County Council Guiding habitat creation

Hertfordshire County Council Refining high biodiversity area boundaries

Hertfordshire County Council What else might they be used for? Educating e.g. re. historic environment Informing AONB action plans Storing other data Inspiring local “Friends” groups or area wardens (?)

Hertfordshire County Council Implications

Hertfordshire County Council Some implications Early to say, but New lease of life for landscape policies; there was no “do nothing” option Systematic & inclusive = more acceptable Detailed and networked data resource Offers win-win “sustainable” solutions May lead to better designated areas