The European Landscape Convention defines landscape as ‘an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors.’ Landscape planning is about reconciling competing land uses whilst conserving natural processes and significant cultural and natural resources. Understanding of landscape underpins decisions about capacity for new development and for strategic spatial planning.
New development changes landscape character. Development can be used to create and enhance landscape character if it is appropriately planned. However, inappropriate development can weaken and erode landscape character. It is therefore essential that the planning of new development takes account of landscape character and seeks to strengthen and enhance it. For example, design guidance and development briefs based on landscape character can help us understand how buildings and other features associated with development can reflect and contribute to landscape character.
There may be pressure on the landscape from interventions that aim to tackle and adapt to climate change, such as introducing renewable technologies into the landscape. It is important to understand the landscape character and sensitivity of the landscape when planning for climate change.
HManaging a landscape to enhance key characteristics will have a positive landscape impact whilst the introduction of new and inappropriate elements may erode or damage the strength of landscape character. Effective landscape planning and management plans can harmonise and guide changes brought about by social, environmental and economic processes such as agri-environment measures.
Landscape scale conservation tackles the issue of habitat loss, providing rich and diverse habitats for wildlife, and provides species with the flexibility to respond to pressures such as climate change. Conserving biodiversity across whole landscapes, rather than in individual sites, allows more habitats to be created where there is currently too much fragmentation to support the species dependent upon them. This approach not only makes the landscape better for wildlife, but also for people: creating a landscape which people enjoy, and where the goods and services supplied by the landscape are sustained.
LandLab provides landscape planning advice on a wide range of developments, including:
renewable energy
landscape and urban regeneration
residential
infrastructure
forestry
tourism
countryside access
minerals
Where a project is straightforward and landscape led, LandLab can submit full planning applications on behalf of clients. Our preferred option is to work in collaboration with a Chartered Town Planner with good links to the Local Planning Authority, with LandLab providing the necessary landscape planning support as required. This has the advantage that any public opposition to the proposal will be more obvious and clearly identified by the client and local planning expert. Work can then be done, at a local level, to resolve and minimise these issues.
Landscape planning services
To find out more about our landscape planning services, please visit our blog and filter posts using categories or tags to specific areas of interest, or use the links below. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please do not hestitate to get in touch. Our contact details can be found here. Our landscape planning services include:
Landscape and visual impact assessments
Environmental impact assessments
Historic landscape assessments
Landscape design and capacity statements
Countryside access strategy, design and implementation
Landscape character studies
Landscape expert witness for planning appeals and local planning inquiries
Landscape planning policy studies
Landscape statements of case for local planning inquiries
Local / neighbourhood planning
Landscape Masterplanning
Planning for Real®
Pre application consultations
Supporting landscape design statements for planning applications and appeals.
Urban planning
To find out more about landscape planning, try these links:
Landscape Planning – Natural England
Landscape Character Network
European Landscape Convention
SNH – Landscape Planning and Development
SNH – Landscape Planning