When will the LPA ask for a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)?

Most local planning authorities request an LVIA when a proposal could change key views, skylines or the character of the surrounding landscape. This is common for edge-of-settlement growth, taller buildings, energy or infrastructure schemes, and development in or near sensitive designated landscapes. The need is usually flagged at pre-application stage, through EIA screening or in validation guidance.

Who decides whether an LVIA is required?

The local planning authority ultimately decides whether an LVIA is required, often guided by local validation lists, landscape sensitivity, consultation responses and EIA regulations. In practice, the need is normally agreed between the project team and the case officer or landscape officer at pre-application or screening stage, with proportionate scope set out in writing.

Can I submit a planning application without an LVIA?

Sometimes, but only where visual and landscape effects are clearly limited and can be addressed through standard drawings and supporting text. For more prominent or sensitive sites, submitting without an LVIA often leads to validation queries, requests for further information or conditions that create uncertainty. It is normally safer to agree the position with the LPA and commission an LVIA where risk is more than low.

How long does an LVIA take and when should it be started?

A typical LVIA for a small to medium project usually takes several weeks from appointment, depending on site complexity, the number of viewpoints, availability of base information and consultee feedback. It is best to start LVIA work once a clear outline layout and massing strategy exist, but early enough to inform design before it becomes fixed. For EIA projects and larger schemes, LVIA scoping should begin at concept stage.

What information do you need from us to begin an LVIA?

At minimum, we require a red line boundary, up-to-date topographic survey, proposed layout and massing information, access arrangements and any relevant policy, design or technical reports already produced. For more complex projects we may also need 3D models, ZTV analysis, photomontage requirements and any EIA scoping opinion. Clear base information allows us to define viewpoints, assess effects and prepare proportionate mitigation.

How does LVIA link with ecology, arboricultural, drainage and heritage reports?

LVIA sits alongside ecology, arboriculture, drainage and heritage inputs as part of a coordinated planning evidence base. Tree positions, habitat creation, SuDS features and heritage settings all influence how a scheme is perceived in views and how it interacts with the host landscape. Coordinating LVIA with these disciplines helps avoid conflicting recommendations, supports coherent mitigation and presents a clear, joined-up narrative to the LPA.

Does an LVIA cover both landscape and visual effects?

Yes. LVIA considers landscape effects on character, pattern and key features, and visual effects on views experienced by receptors such as residents, road users or visitors. In some schemes the main concern is visual change; in others, it is the effect on the underlying landscape character. A robust LVIA separates these strands and explains their relationship in plain English.

Can an LVIA improve the acceptability of a scheme?

A well-prepared LVIA can significantly improve the acceptability of a scheme by demonstrating that effects are understood, mitigated and proportionate. It can help refine layout, heights, planting structure and materials so that proposals work with the receiving landscape rather than against it. This gives decision-makers greater confidence and often reduces the level of objection or the number of design iterations required.

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.

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

We guide you through the most efficient route for your programme.

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

A settlement-edge housing proposal in the West Midlands received a late LPA request for an LVIA after public feedback raised concerns over visual impact. The design team had progressed without considering long-distance views or character transitions. Following a baseline study, agreed viewpoints with the LPA, produced targeted mitigation planting and refined boundary treatments. The LVIA demonstrated reduced significance for key views and addressed landscape character concerns directly. The scheme advanced to committee with officer support — a delay was avoided, and no redesign beyond proportionate boundary refinement was required.

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Your Next Step

Get the clarity that keeps your design on track.

Phone: 0800 494 7479

Email: [email protected]

LVIA - FAQ

When will the LPA ask for an LVIA?

When visual effects, settlement edges, height, lighting or countryside character are relevant. Requirements vary; we confirm them for your authority.

Can I submit planning without an LVIA?

Possibly — but risky. Missing LVIA evidence often causes validation delays or post-submission requests. We advise on the safest route.

Is this the same as an EIA?

No. An LVIA can stand alone or form part of an EIA. We clarify which applies.

Does landscaping reduce LVIA effects?

Yes. Planting structure, boundary treatments and visual mitigation often reduce significance.

Do you handle viewpoint agreements?

Yes — we liaise directly with the LPA to agree viewpoints before photography.

Can you meet tight deadlines?

Yes. Many LVIAs are requested late. We stabilise the programme with proportionate evidence.

Do you coordinate with architects and ecologists?

Every day. LVIA works best when aligned with layout, ecology and arboriculture.

Will I need night-time assessment?

If lighting affects dark skies, tranquillity or receptors. We identify this early.

Related Services

LVIA frequently integrates with other ProHort services:

Landscaping Schemes

Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment

3D Landscape Design

These connections create a unified, planning-first approach and reduce the risk of conflicting recommendations.

Landscape Visual Impact Assessment