Landscape Character Assessment Supplementary Planning Document
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South Gloucestershire Review Proposed for Adoption November 2014 Landscape Character Assessment Supplementary Planning Document Technical Background Paper Approach and Methodology www.southglos.gov.uk South Gloucestershire Landscape Character Assessment Draft Proposed for Adoption 12 November 2014 Contents South Gloucestershire Landscape Character Assessment Technical Background Paper 3 Approach and Methodology 3 ¡ Stage 1: Characterisation 3 ¡ Stage 2: Evaluation 4 ¡ 2014 Review 7 Appendix 1 8 Provides an overview of the physical and historical development of the landscape in South Gloucestershire, including more recent changes, and also considers potential future changes ¡ Landscape Context 8 ¡¡ Geology & soils 8 ¡¡ Topography & Drainage 9 ¡¡ Land use, farming patterns & Vegetation 9 ¡¡ Buildings, Settlements & Infrastructure 11 ¡¡ The Historic Landscape 12 ¡¡ Biodiversity 13 ¡¡ Recent Landscape Change 13 ¡¡ Future Trends 23 Appendix 2 29 Provides information and definitions on the hierarchy of landscape assessment classification. Describes the division of the landscape into discrete areas of similar characteristics. ¡ Landscape Character Types 29 ¡¡ Plateau & Scarp 29 ¡¡ Shallow Ridge 31 ¡¡ Parkland Vale 32 ¡¡ Shallow Vale 33 ¡¡ Broad Valleys 34 ¡¡ Enclosed Valleys 35 ¡¡ Undulating Ridge 36 ¡¡ Estuary, Shoreline & Levels 37 Appendix 3 39 ¡ Standard survey form. 39 Appendix 4 41 ¡ Consultation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment. 41 2 www.southglos.gov.uk South Gloucestershire Landscape Character Assessment Draft Proposed for Adoption 12 November 2014 Technical Background Paper Approach and Methodology The Landscape Character Assessment of This information was recorded on standard South Gloucestershire has been carried out in record sheets (end of Appendix 1). In addition to accordance with Natural England’s Landscape the physical elements and features visible within Character Assessment, Guidance 2002, and is the landscape, such as land use, topography consistent with the NPPF and the more recent and vegetation cover, other characteristics and Planning Practice Guidance.. attributes, such as condition, key views, features and perceived sensitivity were also recorded. The Landscape Character Assessment followed Photographs were taken as a working tool and two main stages, Characterisation and Evaluation, where appropriate, thumbnail sketches prepared which are described below. to illustrate particular features and character. This is followed by a summary of the 2013-4 In reality, each of the stages of the desktop review process, leading to the adoption of a study, field survey and merging of stakeholder revised Landscape Character Assessment for information, informed the other as the study South Gloucestershire in 2014. progressed. Step Four: Characterisation Stage 1: Characterisation The desktop study and field survey information Step One: Defining the Scope were reviewed and collated, to create a hierarchy The purpose of the Landscape Character of areas of similar characteristics in consistent Assessment was defined (as discussed in Section and recognisable groups. 1). This influenced the scale and level of detail required. The scope of stakeholder involvement The divisions within South Gloucestershire was decided. included: Step Two: Desktop Study NATIONAL CHARACTER AREAS - as shown on A variety of data sources, including written and the Natural England's Character of England map, mapped data, were reviewed in Spring 2000. which shows broad regional character areas at a This included the study and analysis of relevant national scale. (See Fig 3). plans, strategies, studies and discussions with the Unitary Authority. A full list of sources LANDSCAPE CHARACTER TYPES - which reviewed is located in the Bibliography. Through subdivide the National Landscape Character a variety of methods, including map overlay and Areas into smaller, generic areas of similar information sieving, the information was used to characteristics at a district or local level, largely gain an understanding of the natural and human based on geology, landform and drainage factors that have shaped and influenced the patterns, ascertained from the desktop study and landscape. field survey. (See Fig 70). Step Three: Field Survey LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREAS - which This involved extensive survey work in spring/ further subdivide Landscape Character Types into summer 2000, by a team of landscape architects, smaller, unique areas of similar characteristics to record the physical and visual components and and attributes at a local level. These were largely aspects of the landscape. based on physical features, land cover, settlement and infrastructure and were ascertained from the www.southglos.gov.uk 3 South Gloucestershire Landscape Character Assessment Draft Proposed for Adoption 12 November 2014 desktop study and field survey. The following criteria, from the Natural England's Landscape Character Assessment Guidance, These areas were mapped and concise were key considerations used in evaluating descriptions of their main physical and human conditions, trends and sensitivity: influences noted. This included land cover, landform, drainage, settlement, infrastructure and Landscape Quality access, field size, field pattern and boundaries. The presence of key characteristics and Their distinctive combination of landscape absence of atypical and incongruous features. features and attributes was also recorded. It also depends on the state of repair of elements in the landscape and the integrity or Stakeholder involvement undertaken by means intactness of the landscape. of a photographic survey of each parish and unparished area of South Gloucestershire, Scenic Quality/Beauty supplemented this initial characterisation process. Reflects the combination and pattern of This helped to identify important additional elements in the landscape, its aesthetic features, areas of distinctive character and key qualities, and its more intangible qualities such characteristics. as its ‘sense of place’, the degree to which the landscape has a distinctive and essential character. Stage 2: Evaluation Step Five: Evaluation and Landscape Landscape as a Resource Sensitivity A landscape may be valued because it is rare Following the classification of the landscape or because it is particularly representative or into discrete areas of similar characteristics, typical of a certain landscape type. the character areas were evaluated in terms of change. Landscape condition, trends and Associations relative sensitivity to change were considered in A landscape may be valued because it may this evaluation. have cultural or historical associations with particular people or events in history. Landscape Condition refers to the existing features within the landscape which are affected Consensus by current management or maintenance There should be a consensus of opinion, practices, for example hedgerow field boundaries. expressed by the public, informed professionals, interest groups, artists, writers Landscape Trends refers to the potential changes and other media, on the importance of the which may happen within the landscape based landscape. on what is currently happening, what has occurred in the past and what may happen in the Wildness Quality future, for example agricultural practices. A perception of remoteness and tranquillity. The landscape would appear natural, Landscape Sensitivity is the degree to which a undeveloped and unspoilt. landscape can accommodate change without unacceptable, detrimental effects on character. Conservation Interests Sensitivity is not absolute, but is likely to vary The presence of features of notable relative to the type and scale of change being conservation interest such as wildlife, earth considered. science, archaeological or historical areas, in addition to the landscape scenic qualities. 4 www.southglos.gov.uk South Gloucestershire Landscape Character Assessment Draft Proposed for Adoption 12 November 2014 However, the evaluation process for this draft Landscape Character Assessment, over 200 Landscape Character Assessment specifically in number, were selected from over 2000 taken excluded value judgements as to the status by local people as a result of the Photographic of the landscape within each character area, Survey. The photographs are intended to or the use of the term ‘quality’. Instead, illustrate, as far as possible, typical landscape the Landscape Character Assessment has characteristics or features of each landscape identified and examined the landscape character area. features, attributes and characteristics, how they contribute to form a ‘distinctive’ Step Eight: Public Consultation Feedback landscape, the condition of features and the Following the public consultation process on relative sensitivity of the landscape to change. the draft Landscape Character Assessment, a further stage has been included in the Step Six: Stakeholder Involvement process of the development of the Landscape The participation of stakeholders in the process Character Assessment. The many comments of Landscape Character Assessment added received on the draft report resulted in an an important dimension to understanding and extensive review of the document. Numerous evaluating the landscape through invaluable local modifications have been incorporated into the knowledge of landscape features, industrial, text as a result, with the objective of increasing cultural and historical associations and landscape the accuracy of information