Landscape & Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA)
Planning-ready LVIA assessments that clarify visual effects, reduce risk and strengthen applications for complex or sensitive sites.
Do you need an LVIA?
You’re likely to need an LVIA if your proposals alter how the landscape looks, feels or functions, especially where development may be visible from public viewpoints, heritage assets or sensitive landscapes.
What is an LVIA?
An LVIA assesses how a development alters landscape character and how it changes what people see. It evaluates landscape sensitivity, visual receptors, magnitude of change and the significance of effects — alongside proportionate mitigation to shape a more acceptable scheme.
In short: it explains what changes, for whom, and how much it matters in planning terms.
Trigger points — signs your site needs an LVIA
Common triggers include:
visible new development (housing, energy schemes, schools, commercial units)
changes to landform, levels, open space or boundary structure
works affecting rural–urban edges or valued views
infrastructure such as roads, tracks or utilities
solar, wind, mineral or forestry proposals
any proposal screened into EIA, or flagged during pre-application
If you’re unsure, share your site address — we’ll confirm the requirement within minutes.
What We Deliver
We keep guidance clear and planning-ready — supporting predictable project delivery.
| Service | Purpose | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| LVIA Baseline Assessment | Establish landscape character, features and sensitivities | A clear, defensible baseline for planning decisions |
| Visual Impact Assessment | Evaluate changes to key views and receptors | Evidence of visual effects, significance and mitigation |
| Viewpoint Photography & Wireframes | Provide accurate visual representation | View-specific clarity supporting consultation and decision-making |
| Mitigation Strategy | Reduce or offset landscape and visual effects | Clear planting, boundary and design adjustments that planners can accept |
| LVIA Report (GLVIA3-Aligned) | Provide planning-ready documentation | A structured, defensible report for applications, committees or appeals |
| Design & Team Coordination | Align LVIA with architecture, ecology, heritage and engineering | A cohesive external works strategy that reduces redesign |
How it Works
Our process is designed to remove friction and keep decisions moving.
Baseline & Sensitivity Assessment
Landscape character study, visual receptor identification, viewpoint agreement and fieldwork.
Impact Assessment & Visualisation
Magnitude of change, significance testing, wireframes, ZTV, photoviewpoints, and proportionate mitigation logic.
Reporting & Planning Integration
Clear statement of effects, mitigation strategy, compliance references and integration with design team iterations.
Timing & Submission Windows
LVIAs can be undertaken year-round, but:
Photography / Visualisation
may require suitable weather, lighting and visibility
Viewpoint agreement
with the LPA can take 1–3 weeks depending on consultation
EIA Projects
often follow fixed programme sequencing, requiring LVIA early
Why planning officers request LVIAs
Planning officers use LVIAs to make defensible decisions where proposals might affect:
Landscape character and settlement edges
Public rights of way, villages or heritage settings
Key views, skylines or valued landscape components
Tranquillity, dark skies or rural context
Design quality, mitigation logic and proportionality
EIA and cumulative-impact requirements
Local planning authorities must comply with:
GLVIA3 (Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment guidance)
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) — landscape & visual amenity
Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations — where applicable
Local Landscape Character Assessments
Local design codes and settlement-edge guidance
An LVIA provides the evidence LPAs legally need to justify their decision and defend it if challenged.
Our Approach
Landscape and visual effects shape planning outcomes more than most applicants expect. Whether you’re preparing a full planning submission, responding to pre-app feedback or coordinating design with architecture, ecology, arboriculture or drainage, a clear LVIA provides the visual reasoning that planners, consultees and communities need to make informed decisions.
Our LVIA provides:
Predictable planning progress
Clear evidence for officers, consultees and committees
Proportionate mitigation (not over-escalated)
Stronger negotiation position for settlement edges
Risk reduction for design teams
Visual clarity that improves decision-maker confidence
Our role is to clarify what’s required, why, and how to deliver an evidence-led LVIA that keeps your project moving.
Clarity reduces challenge. Proportionate evidence reduces delay.
How this supports your project
Landscape and visual issues are often identified at validation or during consultation — when design teams are already deep into layout decisions. This is common, and we manage it routinely.
Instead of treating this as a setback, our role is to:
Stabilise the programme
Clarify the level of LVIA required
Provide proportionate mitigation
Support revisions only where necessary
Align landscape, ecology and arboriculture to reduce further churn
Early involvement avoids redesign — but late involvement is still manageable with a clear, proportionate plan.
How does LVIA Fit into the Wider Planning Strategy?
Landscape assessments rarely sit in isolation. LVIA interacts directly with:
Landscape design (mitigation structure, planting logic)
Arboriculture (tree retention, visibility, canopy screening)
Ecology (habitat creation, BNG-driven planting)
Planning layout (orientation, levels, boundary treatment)
A good LVIA strengthens the entire external design package and reduces negotiation with planning officers.
Case Insight
Your Next Step
Areas We Cover
We cover many areas across England and Wales. Click below to find out more.
LVIA - FAQ
What is a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment LVIA?
A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment LVIA is a detailed study that evaluates how a proposed development may affect the surrounding landscape and how it will be seen from different viewpoints. It considers both the physical changes to the landscape and how those changes are perceived by people.
When is an LVIA required for planning?
An LVIA is typically required where a development may have a noticeable effect on the landscape or visual character of an area. This is common for larger schemes, developments in sensitive locations, or sites within designated areas such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Requirements are usually set by the Local Planning Authority during validation or pre application advice.
What is the difference between landscape effects and visual effects?
Landscape effects relate to changes to the physical characteristics of the land such as landform, vegetation, and character. Visual effects focus on how those changes are experienced by people, including views from homes, public rights of way, and roads.
What does an LVIA include?
An LVIA typically includes a baseline assessment of the existing landscape, identification of key viewpoints, assessment of potential impacts, and proposed mitigation measures. It also includes visual representations such as photomontages to demonstrate how the development may appear once completed.
What are viewpoints in an LVIA?
Viewpoints are specific locations selected to represent how a development may be seen from different areas. These can include public footpaths, nearby residential properties, roads, and elevated positions. They are agreed with the Local Planning Authority to ensure the assessment is robust and relevant.
How is the significance of impact assessed in an LVIA?
The significance of impact is assessed by combining the sensitivity of the landscape or receptor with the magnitude of change caused by the development. This structured approach ensures a clear and transparent evaluation aligned with recognised guidance.
What guidance is used for LVIA assessments?
LVIAs are carried out in accordance with recognised industry guidance, primarily the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment third edition. This ensures consistency, transparency, and acceptance by planning authorities.
Can an LVIA support a planning application?
Yes, an LVIA is often a key supporting document within a planning application. It helps demonstrate that landscape and visual effects have been properly considered and that appropriate design and mitigation measures are in place.
What is the difference between an LVIA and a Landscape Appraisal?
A Landscape Appraisal is typically a simpler, less detailed assessment used for smaller or less sensitive developments. An LVIA is more comprehensive and is usually required for larger schemes or where there is potential for significant landscape or visual effects.
How does an LVIA influence design?
An LVIA can directly inform the design of a development by identifying opportunities to reduce visual impact. This may include adjusting layout, building heights, materials, or incorporating planting and screening to better integrate the scheme into the surrounding landscape.
What is mitigation in an LVIA?
Mitigation refers to measures proposed to avoid, reduce, or offset adverse landscape and visual effects. This can include planting schemes, landform changes, screening, or sensitive design approaches that help the development blend into its surroundings.
How do Local Planning Authorities use an LVIA?
Local Planning Authorities use an LVIA to assess whether a development is acceptable in landscape and visual terms. It forms part of the decision making process and helps determine whether proposals align with local and national planning policy. For example, requirements may vary depending on the authority, such as Staffordshire County Council
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk
Is an LVIA part of an Environmental Impact Assessment EIA?
An LVIA can form part of a wider Environmental Impact Assessment where required. In these cases, it contributes to the Environmental Statement and provides a detailed assessment of landscape and visual effects alongside other environmental topics.
What types of development typically require an LVIA?
LVIAs are commonly required for residential developments, commercial schemes, infrastructure projects, renewable energy proposals, and developments within sensitive or designated landscapes. The need depends on scale, location, and potential visibility.
These connections create a unified, planning-first approach and reduce the risk of conflicting recommendations.