What is a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment?

A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is an evaluation of the potential impacts of a development on the landscape’s character and on the visual experience of people, considering both the physical changes to the landscape and how these changes will be perceived from various viewpoints.

An LVIA is essential for effective planning decisions. This is because they identify the effect that new developments have on views and on the landscape itself. Some developments can have effects on visual aspects but none on landscape character or vice versa.

ProHort has extensive experience of undertaking Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments. Through LVIAs, we work with our clients to address landscape and visual impact issues at an early stage. This ensures that proposals work within the local landscape, address any constraints and are acceptable visually. A project which works with the character of the area is more likely to be acceptable to local planning authorities.

Key Components of an LVIA:

1. Landscape Character Assessment: This involves analyzing the existing landscape to understand its distinctive features, such as landform, vegetation, built elements, and the overall character of the area. The assessment looks at how the proposed development will affect these elements and whether it will alter the landscape’s overall character.
2. Visual Impact: This refers to how the proposed development will be viewed from specific locations, including nearby properties, public spaces, and key viewpoints such as scenic routes, heritage sites, or recreational areas. The visual impact is assessed based on the scale, design, and siting of the development and how it integrates (or does not integrate) with the surrounding landscape.
3. Sensitivity and Value: The LVIA considers the sensitivity of the landscape and views to change, and the value placed on these elements by the public or by specialists. For example, a highly scenic area or a site of cultural significance may be more sensitive to visual impacts than a less valued or disturbed landscape.
4. Mitigation Measures: If the assessment identifies potential significant impacts, the LVIA will propose measures to avoid, reduce, or compensate for the negative effects. These might include design changes, landscaping measures, or other interventions that help integrate the development into the landscape or reduce its visual prominence.

Typical Projects Requiring LVIA:

• Wind farms, solar installations, and other large-scale renewable energy projects
• Urban developments, such as housing estates or business parks, especially in rural or scenic areas
• Infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, or power lines
• Large-scale industrial or commercial projects in visually sensitive locations

Overall, an LVIA helps decision-makers understand how a development will affect the landscape and views, balancing the need for development with the protection of the natural environment and visual amenity. It also ensures that any potential harm to the landscape or visual quality is minimized and managed effectively.

Our landscape architects can advise on appropriate design and mitigation measures. This often leads to appearances at public inquiries to present detailed evidence on development proposals.

LCA:

ProHort also carry out Landscape Character Assessments (LCA) at a Local Authority level. Landscape Character Assessments identify the unique qualities and features of an area which contribute to local distinctiveness. Our LCAs are used in Local Plans, Transport Strategies and Supplementary Planning Guidance to improve the design quality of new development.

Contact Us:

ProHort Limited provide Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments throughout the entirety of England. Follow us on Facebook to see our latest projects. Our expert team will work with you to understand exactly what you require, ensuring the success of your development. Contact us today to book your LVIA!