Land West of Netherstowe Lane, North Lichfield: Landscape and Visual Appraisal with Capacity Assessment Prepared on behalf of IM Properties May 2017 Land West of Netherstowe Lane, North Lichfield: Landscape and Visual Appraisal with Capacity Assessment Prepared on behalf of IM Properties Project Ref: 27255 Status: Final Issue/ Rev: 1 Date: May 2017 Prepared by: WL Checked by: MDC Authorised by: MDC Barton Willmore LLP 7 Soho Square London W1D 3QB Tel: 020 7446 6888 Ref: 27255 Fax: 020 7446 6889 Date: May 2017 Email: [email protected] Status: Final COPYRIGHT The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Barton Willmore LLP. All Barton Willmore stationery is produced using recycled or FSC paper and vegetation oil based inks. CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 2.0 Approach and Methodology ............................................................................................. 2 3.0 Landscape Planning Baseline ........................................................................................... 7 4.0 Published Landscape Character Assessments .................................................................... 15 5.0 Site Context ................................................................................................................. 22 6.0 Visual Appraisal ............................................................................................................ 25 7.0 Summary of Opportunities and Constraints to Development ............................................... 27 8.0 Landscape Capacity Assessment ..................................................................................... 28 9.0 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 32 Illustrative Material ................................................................................................................ 1 Appendices ........................................................................................................................... 2 ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIAL Figure 1: Site Context Plan Figure 2: Topographic Features Plan Figure 3: Published Landscape Character Areas Figure 4: Site Appraisal Plan Figure 5: Visual Appraisal Plan Figure 6: Landscape Capacity Assessment Parcels Figure 7: Opportunities and Constraints Site Appraisal Photographs Site Context Photographs APPENDICES Appendix A.1: Extracts from Published Landscape Character Assessments Landscape Capacity Introduction 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 This Landscape and Visual Appraisal with Landscape Capacity Assessment has been produced on behalf of IM Properties in order to inform the future development of land either side of Netherstowe Lane in North Lichfield for up to 200 dwellings. 1.2 This document uses Landscape and Visual Appraisal and Landscape Capacity Assessment to identify the capacity of the land west of Netherstowe Lane, ‘the Site’, for future development. The document comprises the following sections: • Methodology used to assess the Site for suitability for its ability to accommodate future development; • A summary of relevant planning policy and identification of the key themes arising; • Summary of the published landscape character assessments relevant to the Site and the Study Area and the key themes and guidance arising from them; • Assessment of the landscape baseline to identify landscape features which contribute to local landscape character and that would form an opportunity or constraint to new development; • Assessment of the visual envelope of the Site and strategic views to, within and from the Site; • Identification of opportunities and constraints to development; • Use of the above information to assess the landscape capacity of the Site, i.e. its ability to accommodate future development; • Summary and Conclusions. 1.3 The term ‘landscape’ may refer to both natural and built landscapes (townscapes) and may be used within either context. In general, the term ‘landscape’ should be considered to refer to both unless specified otherwise. 27255 1 May 2017 Landscape Capacity Approach and Methodology 2.0 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY 2.1 This assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 3rd Edition1 (GLVIA3), An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment2, Topic Paper 6: Techniques and Criteria for Judging Capacity and Sensitivity3, and Landscape Institute Advice Note: Use of Photography and Photomontage in Landscape and Visual Assessment4. 2.2 The process of undertaking this assessment starts with the assessment of the landscape and visual baseline which would then be used to inform opportunities and constraints to future development and the assessment of landscape capacity within the Site. Assessment of Landscape Capacity 2.3 Landscape Capacity is defined in Topic Paper 6 as “ the extent to which a particular area or type of landscape is able to accommodate change without significant effects on character or overall change in landscape type” . 2.4 Landscape capacity is derived from a combination of landscape sensitivity set against the value attached to that landscape. This is demonstrated within Figures 1(a) and 1(b) from Topic Paper 6 and summarised below: Overall Landscape Sensitivity Landscape Capacity = Landscape Character Sensitivity + Landscape Value + ( Visual Sensitivity ) 2.5 Further explanation of each of the above headings is included below, together with the factors that may be considered. 1 The Landscape Institute and Institute of Environmental Assessment 3rd Edition (2013) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 2 Natural England (2014) An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment 3 Scottish Natural Heritage and the Countryside Agency (2002) Topic Paper 6: Techniques and Criteria for Judging Capacity and Sensitivity 4 Landscape Institute Advice Note 01/2009: Use of Photography and Photomontage in Landscape and Visual Assessment 27255 2 May 2017 Landscape Capacity Approach and Methodology Landscape Character Sensitivity 2.6 Landscape Character Sensitivity is assessed on a three-point scale of low, medium and high. Figures 1(a) and 1(b) in Topic Paper 6 identify the following factors for consideration when assessing Landscape Character Sensitivity: • Natural Factors • Vegetation types • Tree cover/pattern • Extent and pattern of semi-natural habitats • Cultural Factors • Land use • Settlement pattern • Field boundaries • Enclosure pattern • Time depth • Landscape Quality/Condition • Intactness • Representation of typical character • State of repair of individual elements • Aesthetic Factors • Scale • Enclosure • Diversity • Texture • Pattern • Colour • Form/Line • Balance • Movement 2.7 Table 2.1 includes indicative thresholds for the criteria to assess Landscape Character Sensitivity 27255 3 May 2017 Landscape Capacity Approach and Methodology Table 2.1: Landscape Character Sensitivity Level Criteria High Landscape area of distinctive components and characteristics, containing landscape feature which make a strong and positive contribution to landscape character e.g. a mature tree or woodland. Medium Landscape area of common components and characteristics, containing landscape features which make some positive contribution to landscape character. Low Landscape area/feature of inconsequential components and characteristics or may include detracting features. Visual Sensitivity 2.8 Visual sensitivity is assessed on a three-point scale of low, medium and high. These are assessed based on the following elements as identified within Topic Paper 6: • General Visibility • Land form influences • Tree and woodland cover • Population • Number and types of residents • Number and types of visitors • Mitigation Potential • Scope for mitigating potential visual effects 2.9 Criteria to derive an assessment of visual sensitivity are included in Table 2.2 below: Table 2.2: Visual Sensitivity Susceptibility Criteria High Development will be visible from a wide area, to a large population, including tourists and/or will be hard to mitigate against visual effects. Medium Development will be visible over a moderate extent, from a moderate number of locations, to a moderate population that may include some tourists and/or will be mitigate some of the effects. 27255 4 May 2017 Landscape Capacity Approach and Methodology Susceptibility Criteria Low Development will be visible from a small number of locations or from a limited area, to a limited population, primarily local residents and commuters, and/or will be easy to mitigate against. Landscape Value 2.10 Landscape Value is assessed on a three-point scale of low, medium and high and is assessed from the following elements: • Designations • National • Local • Other criteria • Tranquillity • Remoteness • Wildness • Scenic beauty • Cultural associations • Conservation interests • Consensus on value 2.11 Table 2.3 includes indicative thresholds for the criteria: Table 2.3: Landscape Value Level Criteria High Landscape area which may be nationally designated and/or be of national or international cultural significance. Medium Landscape area which may be designated at county or borough level or be of local cultural significance. Low Undesignated landscape with little or no wider recognition of value, although potentially of importance to the local community. 2.12 It is important