Landscape evaluations

We can provide advice on all aspects of the evaluation and assessment of landscapes. It is of course clear that the assessment of a landscape invariably forms an important part of any development proposal. It therefore follows that landscape issues are an important element in all Planning Applications. Our firm can provide services relating to the review of the existing landscape and provide a detailed assessment based on scientific and objective criteria. Our landscape reports can incorporate a clear assessment of the proposed visual impact of the proposed development after taking into account all the relevant zones of visual influence. We regularly prepare and submit reports relating to the assessment of the visual impact of development schemes particularly in relation to the surrounding landscape.

In the assessment and evaluation of landscapes, there are a number of different approaches that can be adopted. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages. It is therefore necessary for our firm to provide the relevant professional advice on the most appropriate approach to be adopted having regard to the particular circumstances.

In general terms, there are three principle methods of landscape evaluation. They can be summarised broadly as follows:-

(a) There are descriptive inventories which include ecological and formal aesthetic models. The models utilised are mostly applied in an objective manner.

(b) There are also methods based on what are known as “public preference models”. These models can include psychological methods or indeed phenomenological methods. The methods involve the utilisation of questionnaires as part of the process. They are linked to the issue of establishing consensus among the public surveyed.

(c) There are also quantitive holistic techniques which utilise a mixture of subjective and objective methods. They also include psychological and surrogate component models. It should be noted that quantitive holistic methodologies invariably utilise preference rankings. This involves using factor analysis and multiple regression techniques. In essence, this model is often preferred by many clients because it involves measured characteristics in respect of various features within landscapes. There are also a number of alternative approaches including the Scenic Beauty Estimation method.

In our view, when putting forward a proposal for development within open countryside or adjacent to open countryside, it is extremely important that a comprehensive report evaluating and assessing the surrounding landscape is submitted with the Planning Application. This enables the client to control the agenda as it were when dealing with the negotiations over the terms of the proposed development scheme.

We also note that Local Authorities are often in need of expert independent advice on the assessment and evaluation of landscapes. We are able to provide such services as and when necessary. We note that invariably a report on the evaluation and assessment of the landscape can be extremely useful particularly during the review of the Planning Policy Framework by a Local Authority.

It is noted that in many cases, the most contentious issues arising from a proposed development scheme are focused upon landscape issues. One invariably finds that the impact of any proposed development scheme upon the local landscape is the most important issue arising particularly in rural areas. Clearly, the use of one or more of the techniques mentioned above may be of considerable assistance in seeking to persuade to the relevant decision makers that the proposed development scheme can be acceptable once implemented. Alternatively, the reports on the assessment of the landscape can be of assistance in enabling the terms of the proposed development scheme to be modified or adjusted in order to ensure that it blends in with the local landscape. The value of reports on the assessment and evaluation of landscapes cannot be overstated.