1. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape The Hertfordshire Landscape Character Assessment Applications and implications

2. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape This presentation Introduction to 2001-5 landscape character assessment How it differs from the predecessors Using landscape character assessments –current applications –potential applications –implications of increased use

3. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Introduction to the 2001-5 landscape character assessment

4. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape What is it? process of looking at the landscape systematically, based on national guidance –analysis (physical,historical,cultural,social) –classification of landscape into types, or areas –careful description –evaluation - as a separate strand leads to a mosaic of areas on a map and relevant information about each area

5. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Why do it? not a statutory requirement but… promoted by Countryside Commission/ Agency strongly encouraged by PPG7 & GPG regarded as an improved basis for strategy/policy for the wider landscape seems to be popular with stakeholders and other authorities, e.g. CPRE, HBF

6. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Who is involved? Nationally: Countryside Agency has produced guidance on methodology Locally: –County & District councils –Landscape planning consultants –Community representatives Very locally: Town/Parish Councils & Developers

7. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape How much has been done so far? 67% rural Herts since 2001 100% by 2005

8. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape What does an area statement look like? See http://www.hertsdirect.org/landscape

9. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Why the latest assessments are better than their predecessors

10. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape 1969 Countryside Appraisal

11. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape 1969 Tracts were schematic

12. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape New boundaries follow physical landscape

13. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Boundaries are not the only mismatch

14. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape This plain area was rated v.highly in 1969

15. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Whereas places like Nomansland were not

16. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Current application of landscape character assessments

17. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Testing landscape change for impact on landscape character Just one example: Tewin plotlands

18. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape View of Tewin plotlands

19. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape This is what the character description says A consistent parkland character overlies any change in topography throughout this sinuous ribbon of floodplain pasture and woodland. Twentieth-century development and the busy transport network mask this character in some places.

20. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape These should be the key characteristics ribbon of floodplain pasture/woodland isolated farms/mills along + on slope foot dense boundary planting stopping views limited commercial diversification in valley pasture in river valley with some arable arable on gentle valley slopes abrupt transition to urban edge

21. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape This is the expected field pattern Field boundaries are either estate fencing or overgrown hedgerows, usually of oak or ash. Boundaries are more often oak or ash copses or plantation, to screen views in, frequently mature or over-mature. Field sizes vary from small (pasture) to medium (arable).

22. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape This is what the community thinks This is a distinctive and valued valley landscape. ( HCC/MORI survey 2001) 'The whole of the beautiful valley from Welwin (sic) to Hertford, including Digswell, Tewin Water, Panshanger and Cole Green, belonging to the same noble family...while each possesses its independent privacy and seclusion, their united woods and lawns will by extending through the whole valley, enrich the general face of the county.' (Repton)

23. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape These are the strategic guidelines protect historic parkland character screen from neighbouring development retain and manage pasture maintain watercourse and riverbanks link wetland habitats support agri-environmental schemes

24. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape But this is what plotlands do Reduce the validity of character summary Affect more than 2 key characteristics Introduce an untypical field pattern add nothing towards the strategic guidelines affect a significant part of Area 42 VERDICT: Plotlands are not in character

25. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Some limitations of the character approach

26. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Some limitations of character approach Reliant on planning context including –extent of Article 4 declarations, –uptake by change agents (e.g landowners, DEFRA) and regulators –community support Incomplete coverage (e.g. nr Stansted, and urban areas)

27. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape What are they being used for? Advise Local plan policy Provide a context for other documents (e.g. WCCF Plans, Parish Plans, EIAs) Countryside Interpretation Helping classify the suitability of areas for mineral extraction (this required a further evaluation stage undertaken by HCC’s CDU)

28. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Potential applications

29. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Testing AONB & Conservation areas

30. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Guiding habitat creation

31. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Refining high biodiversity area boundaries

32. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape What else might they be used for? Educating e.g. re. historic environment Informing AONB action plans Storing other data Inspiring local “Friends” groups or area wardens (?)

33. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Implications

34. Hertfordshire County Council www.hertsdirect.org/landscape Some implications Early to say, but New lease of life for landscape policies; there was no “do nothing” option Systematic & inclusive = more acceptable Detailed and networked data resource Offers win-win “sustainable” solutions May lead to better designated areas