Landscape Planning & Assessment

Our team offers a range of landscape planning and assessment services for clients seeking to plan for and create well-designed and managed places that reinforce and enhance local character, celebrate the past and contribute to sense of place.

We operate across the UK and have a strong understanding of relevant landscape policy, guidance and best practice approaches to landscape planning and assessment.  

Our landscape planning work has received awards for professional excellence from the Landscape Institute. 

Core services include:

We have been at the leading edge of strategic landscape planning and assessment in the UK for over 40 years. Our work has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Character of England Map which continues to provide a framework for local assessments.

The use of characterisation to integrate the natural and cultural heritage aspects of landscapes and townscapes is a particular strength of our work.

Our services include:

• Landscape, townscape and seascape character assessments

• Landscape/townscape sensitivity & capacity for development assessments

• Local landscape designations advice and reviews

• Landscape design guidelines and planning guidance

• Landscape planning policy research and advice

• Expert witness support for local plan examinations

• Stakeholder engagement

Some examples of our work include:

• Wiltshire Landscape Strategy

• West Sussex Landscape Strategy

• North Yorkshire Landscape Character Assessment

• Greater Cambridge Landscape Character Assessment

• Northampton Landscape Character Assessment

• Richmondshire District Landscape Character Assessment, North Yorkshire

• Solar Farm Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (Greater Cambridge, Wealden)

• Wind Energy Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (e.g. Greater Cambridge, Scotland, South Norfolk, South Holderness, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, Cotswolds AONB)

• Monmouthshire Landscape Supplementary Planning Guidance

• Housing Development Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (e.g. Rochford, Southend, Epping Forest)

• Wealden District Solar Farm Landscape Sensitivity Assessment

• Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site Woodland Strategy

• Norfolk Coast AONB Energy Crops Landscape Sensitivity Study

• Wind Energy Landscape Sensitivity Assessments (e.g. Scotland, South Norfolk, South Holderness, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, Cotswolds AONB)

We are experts in assessing the landscape/townscape and visual impacts of development projects, devising landscape mitigation measures and advising on long-term landscape management requirements. 

All our assessments are undertaken in accordance with the principles of the Landscape Institute & Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment’s Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.

Our services include:

• Landscape/townscape & visual appraisals of site constraints for development

• Landscape/townscape & visual impact assessments for planning applications/EIAs

• Landscape masterplanning, strategic design and mitigation advice

• Landscape management/maintenance plans

• Visibility mapping, protected views assessments & visualisations/photomontages

• Expert witness support for planning appeals/inquiries/DCO examinations

We have a strong track record in undertaking integrated landscape character assessments, developing landscape management strategies and advising on guidelines for managing landscape change within the UK’s nationally protected landscapes – National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Some examples of our work include:

• Lake District National Park Landscape Character Assessment & Guidelines

• Chichester Harbour AONB Landscape Character Assessment

• Forest of Bowland AONB Landscape Character Assessment

• Kent Downs AONB Landscape Design Handbook

• Mendip Hills AONB Landscape Character Assessment

• Solway Coast AONB Landscape Character Assessment

• Wye Valley AONB Landscape Character Assessment

• Changing Chalk Landscape Partnership, South Downs National Park

• Cranborne Chase & Chalke Valley Landscape Partnership, Cranborne Chase AONB