Local Landscape Policy Areas

With an increased emphasis on the quality of new development and greater environmental awareness care must be taken to ensure that new development does not dominate the townscape / landscape characteristics of settlements. Environmental assets, identified as part of the process of Countryside Assessment, will normally form the basis for the designation of local landscape policy areas. These consist of those features and areas within and adjoining settlements considered to be of greatest amenity value, landscape quality or local significance and therefore worthy of protection from undesirable or damaging development. They may include: archaeological sites and monuments and their surroundings; listed and other locally important buildings and their surroundings; river banks and shore lines and associated public access; attractive vistas, localised hills and other areas of local amenity importance; areas of local nature conservation interest, including areas of woodland and important tree groups. Development plans will, where appropriate, designate local landscape policy areas and contain local policies and guidance to maintain the intrinsic environmental value and character of such areas.