Landscape and planning

Oxfordshire has many attractive landscapes and townscapes, including the iconic River Thames

What is landscape?

The European Landscape Convention (ELC) definition of “landscape” is:

    "Landscape is an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors” (Council of Europe, 2000)

    Landscape is about the interaction between people and places. It is not just about the countryside or designated landscapes - it is also about everyday landscapes, degraded landscapes and urban spaces.

    Landscape character assessments

    Landscape character may be defined as the distinct and recognisable pattern of elements, or characteristics in the landscape that makes one landscape different from another, rather than better or worse.

    Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is the process of identifying and describing variation in the character of the landscape. Landscape Character Assessments are a nationally recognised tool to help us understand and describe landscapes in an objective way to define distinctive characteristics, inform policy development, planning and land management decisions, and assist in monitoring change. Landscape Character Assessments can also assist with the process of assessing the sensitivity and capacity of places to change, and the impacts and significance of potential development.

    Landscape Character Assessments can be prepared on different scales, ie at national, district, neighbourhood and site level.

    Oxfordshire’s landscape

    Oxfordshire is very fortunate to have a lot of attractive landscapes and townscapes, which are valued by residents and visitors alike. Approximately 25% of the county area is designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), a national designation that is given to exceptional landscapes whose distinctive character and natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them. AONBs are primarily designated to conserve and enhance their natural beauty but they also seek to further education and enjoyment of the area. Each AONB has its own landscape character and special qualities it seeks to protect and enhance including flora and fauna, historic and cultural associations, scenic views as well as perceptual qualities such as tranquility and dark skies.

    Three different AONBs extend into Oxfordshire:

    These landscapes are protected through national and local planning policies and legislation. Oxfordshire County Council helps to support the three AONB partnerships.

    Under Section 85 of the CROW Act (2000) local authorities have a ‘duty of regard’ to the AONBs and their management plans, ie they must make sure that all decisions have regard for the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the AONBs.

    Oxfordshire wildlife and landscape study (OWLS)

    The Oxfordshire Wildlife & Landscape Study (OWLS) comprises the Landscape Character Assessment for Oxfordshire. This county-wide study is not a ‘pure’ Landscape Character Assessment but also explores the interrelation between landscape character and biodiversity. The study offers valuable information on key characteristics and includes recommendations of how the landscape character and biodiversity of the various local haracter areas can be conserved and strengthened.

    District and neighbourhood landscape character assessments

    The majority of Oxfordshire’s District Authorities and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) boards also have produced their own Landscape Character Assessments. These have been done using their own respective methodologies and provide useful information on key characteristics and guidelines for development and management.

    Local communities may also prepare their own Landscape Character Assessment for use in local planning, eg when preparing a Neighbourhood Plan. These can provide very detailed information on character and views at a parish level.

    The Campaign for the Protection or Rural England (CPRE) have prepared a step-by-step toolkit, A step-by-step guide to Unlocking the Landscape: How to prepare a Community Landscape Character Assessment, which may form a useful starting point.

    Landscape in the planning application process

    Planning policy

    Oxfordshire County Council is the Local Planning Authority for Mineral and Waste, transport schemes and schools. The County Council produces strategies and policy documents which include policies on landscape.  The Council will assess developments against national and local planning policy as well as Council strategies and guidelines when determining applications.

    The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF 2019) provides guidance for planning authorities and developers on the development of plans and making planning decisions.  Section 15 of the NPPF deals with Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment.

    Further information on how the natural environment and landscape are considered within the planning system can be found in Planning Practice Guidance, which can be accessed alongside the NPPF.

    Planning applications

    Landscape and visual impact assessments (LVIA) and landscape appraisals

    An LVIA will be required for major developments that are considered to be EIA developments (ie developments that are subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment) or which have the potential to cause significant landscape and visual impacts.

    As a general rule a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) will be required for developments that are within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or its setting, or within any other protected or sensitive landscape area designated in a County Council assessment, District Council strategy, Local Plan or Neighbourhood Plan. Major developments outside a designated area might also require a LVIA depending on their scale, nature, location and envisaged impacts.

    The LVIA should be produced in accordance with the Landscape Institute (LI) and the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (third edition) and are outlined in more detail in the Councils’ Validation checklist.

    Smaller developments where the proposal is likely to have an effect on landscape character and/or visual amenity might not require a full LVIA but still have need of some form of Landscape and Visual Appraisal. The format of such an appraisal may not need to satisfy the formal requirements of an EIA, however, it should as a minimum set out any effects on the landscape and views, and proposed mitigation in a rational way so that this can be fully considered through the planning process

    Landscaping scheme

    The impact a proposal has on the locality is an important consideration for the County Council when determining planning applications. Unless otherwise indicated by the County Council, applications are to be accompanied by landscaping details and include proposals for long-term maintenance and landscape management. Further details outlined in more detail in the Councils Validation checklist

    Useful information and further guidance

    Relevant planning policy

    Landscape character assessments guidance

    Landscape character information for Oxfordshire

    • National landscape character profiles
    • Oxfordshire County assessment
    • District assessments: please check the website of your District Council.
    • Neighbourhood landscape character assessments: please check the Parish Council or District Council Website.
    • North Wessex Downs AONB: Landscape Character Assessment 
    • The Cotswolds AONB: Landscape Character Assessment 
    • The Chilterns AONB: There is no single Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) for the Chilterns AONB. The whole of the AONB is covered by a number of county and district-based LCAs that have been undertaken using similar (but not identical) specifications

    Other landscape guidance