local landscape character assessment guidance (llca) · 2019-12-11 · a template, and adds a much...

Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)

of 17 © Cornwall Council – January 2016

What is a Local Landscape Character Assessment (LLCA)? Through landscape character assessment we can gain an understanding of what makes up the rich and diverse character of Cornwall, and which elements are

important or have particular value. Local Landscape Character Assessment (LLCA) takes the overarching Cornwall wide Landscape Character Assessment1 as

a template, and adds a much greater level of detail, describing the local landscape character at a parish scale.

If we don’t understand what makes our landscape special and why, then we

have no way to protect or enhance the special qualities and features that come together to make up the diverse and locally distinctive landscapes of Cornwall. If you value your environment and the character of the place where you live, then

objectively recording what makes that place uniquely special will help to enhance and protect these positive qualities in the future. Recording the evidence of this

character is the role of a LLCA.

This Stage 1 LLCA as part of your NDP will provide you with a:

• Framework to understand what makes your landscape special, and its uniquerelationship with the local community

• Factual evidence base to inform policy within your Neighbourhood Plan; Document prepared by the local community for the local community, where

young people too young to vote at the Neighbourhood Plan Referendum can

also be involved in the future shaping of the places in which they live.

A Stage 2 LLCA looks at the character of the settlement edge, and the capacity

of the boundary to accept future change. This methodology follows a similar process to the LLCA Stage 1, and is currently being developed with the Porthleven NDP. This Stage 2 assessment informs judgments on the capacity of

your settlement edge to accept change. Guidance will be available once the Porthleven pilot is complete.

What is the benefit of an LLCA as part of a Neighbourhood Plan?

All landscapes change over time through the influence of nature and man, and change should not be seen as negative. If we understand which elements give us the character we all value so greatly, we can positively plan for future

development which will conserve and enhance, add value, and even create new landscapes.

An LLCA will: Be a character record prepared by the local community Create a bespoke evidence base to inform NDP policy on the character

and value of the local landscape, its historic, ecological, and culturalqualities

Identify features and landscape issues of key importance to the localcommunity

Highlight designated landscapes, and identify natural and built features

Objectively inform opinions on the environmental implications ofdevelopment proposals

1 2007 Landscape Character Assessment which divides Cornwall into 40 Landscape Character Areas

details of which can be found at [Link no longer available]



Provide evidence against which to assess the impact of future

development and land management decisions.

The use of an LLCA The completed LLCA will form one of the evidence documents supporting the

NDP policies, and will stand alone also as a reference for decisions relating to future development management and forward planning. Once the Neighbourhood Plan has successfully been through referendum and has been

officially adopted, the policies which refer to the conservation and enhancement of the local landscape character, supported by the LLCA will become a material

consideration in local planning decisions.

What is the process of creating an LLCA?

The LLCA is a factual evidence base of landscape character prepared by the local community. It is not a quick process to create an LLCA, but the length of time it

will take to complete will largely depend upon the scale of your Neighbourhood Plan area, and the number of volunteers who come forward to carry out surveys. The LLCA Stage 1 methodology has 8 steps as shown in the table below

NDP

Toolkit

Stages LLCA Stage 1 - Development Who gets

involved? Stage 1

& 2a

Step 1 - Initiating an LLCA

Establish the area to be included within the LLCA. Plan the

development of the LLCA to tie in with the overall

programme for the Neighbourhood Plan

Parish Council,

Neighbourhood Plan

Steering Group

Stage

2a

Step 2 – Creating an LLCA core group

Identify and brief individuals to coordinate the

development of the LLCA. Establish programmes and lines

of communication

Neighbourhood Plan

Steering Group, local

community

Stage

2a

Step 3 – Initial information gathering

Research to establish existing environmental

details/records

LLCA Core Group

Stage

2a

Step 4 - Briefing the Volunteers

Provide training to volunteers to enable them to carry out

field work assessments

LLCA Core Group and

community volunteers

Stage

2a

Step 5 – Field survey to record local character

Getting out into the landscape to record the character of

the area

LLCA Core Group and

community volunteers

Stage

2b

Step 6 - Preparing the draft LLCA

Bringing together all of the existing environmental

information and the field assessments to create a draft

document

LLCA Core Group and

Neighbourhood Plan

Steering Group

Stage

2b

Step 7 - Presenting the draft LLCA to the community

Community consultation to add important detail of how

and what the community values about their landscape,

and opportunity to present the draft for comment

LLCA Core Group and

Neighbourhood Plan

Steering Group, local

community

Stage 2c Step 8 - Finalise the LLCA

Bringing together a document which is a factual record of

the character of the landscape, and which reflects the

value of the landscape to the local community

LLCA Core Group and

Neighbourhood Plan

Steering Group

Figure 1 – Table of steps to complete an LLCA



STEP 1 - Initiating a Stage 1 Local Landscape Character Assessment

The first step involves making the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) Steering Group aware of the importance of the LLCA and its role as an evidence

base for the Neighbourhood Plan itself.

The NDP Steering Group will need to programme the development of the LLCA

so it runs in tandem with the rest of the NDP, thereby allowing the right detailed evidence to be gathered, which will underpin the Plan’s policies, and to ensure

the public are involved through NDP consultation events.

Early involvement in the Neighbourhood Plan process provides a great opportunity to find volunteers to help in the LLCA preparation and draw out people with particularly useful skills from all parts of the community.

STEP 2 - Creating an LLCA core group

Once the need for an LLCA has been identified, it will be important to establish a core group of individuals who are willing to see the process through to

completion, and to nominate an individual to be the point of contact with the NPD Steering Group (preferably someone who sits on it) and the community volunteers.

Drafting an LLCA will involve groups of volunteers getting out and about in your

local landscape, recording the character and features which make your area special and unique. These volunteers would not need specialist knowledge but

the following would be of great benefit: A personal appreciation of the local environment and a love of being

outdoors

An ability to communicate well with the community and to keep pace withthe development of the overarching Neighbourhood Plan,

Sufficient time to be able to bring consistency to the approach andmaintain momentum.

The LLCA should not be written by individuals in isolation. It needs to be a community resource, written by local people working together whose

environmental knowledge, and understanding of the importance of landscape character adds value to the document.

Figure 2 – images of the diverse character of Cornwall



STEP 3 - Initial information gathering

The 2007 Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment This assessment divides Cornwall into 40 Landscape Character Areas (LCA)s and each one of these 40 LCA has its own unique character description. Each LCA description can be found through the interactive mapping an interactive map at [Link no longer available]

Figure 3- the 40 Landscape Character Areas and supporting descriptions sheets

It is recommended that your LLCA is prepared following the format of the 2007

Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment2, adding a detailed local layer of information to the existing descriptions. This way it is clear where further detail has been added and ensures consistency with the parent document.

Your Neighbourhood Plan area may be covered by one or multiple LCAs, and it will be important to take all the relevant detail from these overarching

documents and add further local detail through the field work assessments.

Other relevant existing

landscape information It is likely that a large

amount of environmental information is already

known about your landscape, and there is no point repeating work

already completed. It is recommended that

the LLCA core group gather together (with any local help available)

existing documents, and/or compile a list of

resources to explore with volunteers at a later date.

2You can find this information at [Link no longer available]

Figure 4 – environmental mapping for land cover and access –

Roseland LLCA public exhibition 2014



The following information sources have proved useful in the past: Conservation Area Appraisals Village Design Statements

Cornwall Council mapping –GIS based mapping information:https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/community-and-living/mapping/

Local history groups, books, and guides

A comprehensive list can be found in Appendix 2 at the end of this document.

Dividing up the LLCA assessment area

Your NDP area could be covered by one or more Landscape Character Areas (LCA). However, these are too large to provide the detailed level of information needed for your NDP policy. You need to further divide the landscape at a local

level, creating distinct ‘landscape character types’ which: Have the same character,

Share similar combinations of geology, topography, drainage patterns,vegetation, historic land use and settlement pattern (this does not meanthat every area within a particular type will be identical, but rather, that

there is a common pattern which can be discerned in maps and in thefields survey records)

May occur repeatedly in the Neighbourhood Plan area, or only be found inone place;

Creating ‘Landscape Types’

How you divide up your NDP area will be up to the LLCA Group, and

will be specific to your area. It is however recommended that the

creation of these ‘landscape types’, relates primarily to topography and land cover.

The division of the landscape

should relate to the distinctly different areas of character. Land which is at a higher elevation,

open and flat, will have a very different character to the steep

wooded sides of a valley.

You can decide upon the

boundaries using Ordnance Survey maps and visits out into

the field.

CHARGEABLE RESOURCE - A

Landscape Architect from Cornwall Council would be

available to meet with the LLCA Core group to assist in the initial defining of the landscape types

for the LLCA (refer to Appendix 3)

Figure 5 – example of ‘landscape types in the Roseland

LLCA 2015

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/community-and-living/mapping/



STEP 4 - Briefing volunteers

The core group can’t produce an LLCA without the involvement of the local community. The final LLCA document will be strengthened by involving

volunteers to objectively and methodically record the elements and features of the landscape which collectively give it its distinct local character. This approach has been commended within the Examiner’s Report of the Roseland’s NDP.

Gathering the community

volunteers together for a landscape character

assessment workshop will ensure a consistent approach to the recording of

information by all those involved.

Figure 6 - training workshop for the Roseland volunteers 2014

Who do we approach to be involved? Anyone with an interest in the natural or historic environment, with a

passion for local history and culture People who love to be outside, and those who walk the public rights of way

in the Parish, such as local rambler groups Artists, photographers, sculptors and anyone who casts a critical, analytical

eye over the landscape

People living locally who work or have worked in landscape relatedprofessions

Members of local conservation bodies, or those involved in local NationalTrust or Wildlife Trust sites

How many people do we need and how long will it take? This will depend upon the scale of the Neighbourhood Plan area. As a general

rule of thumb a parish would probably take 12 people 4 days to attend theworkshop training, and go out in the field to record the landscape character

Further time needs to be programmed for collating the field assessments intoone document, community consultation, and collating the final draftdocument

What will the volunteers be doing?

Walking the area on public paths, recording factual evidence of the characterof the landscape on assessment sheets

Taking photographs, possibly drawing pictures of good examples of

landscape characteristics and features

https://www.roselandplan.org/the-examiners-report.html



Reading existing assessments and researching information sources (listed

under Step 3) collating details directly relevant to the landscape types within the NDP area

Figure 7 - training workshop for the Porthleven volunteers 2015

CHARGEABLE RESOURCE - A Landscape Architect from Cornwall Council would be available present a 2hour training workshop for volunteers looking at

landscape character assessment and the process or recording information for the LLCA. This training would also include issuing copies of the blank fieldwork assessment sheets (refer to Appendix 3).

STEP 5 - Field survey work to record the local landscape character

It will be important to ensure that those out in the field recording the landscape character are all undertaking the task in the consistent manner. It is advisable to set up an initial briefing meeting to be clear of the:

Groups of volunteers will be looking at which areas Level of detail to be recorded on the fieldwork assessment sheets

Process for describing the transitional areas between landscape character types

Level of detail to be included within photographs, and how many to

illustrate each character type and features within it

Figure 8 – fieldwork assessments with volunteers in St Minver and Roseland 2014



STEP 6 - Preparing the draft LLCA

What format should the document take? A recommended format for the LLCA is that of the 2007 Landscape Character

Assessment. By replicating this format, there will be a consistent approach which clearly shows how the LLCA links back to the Cornwall 2007 Landscape Character Assessment.

Who needs to be involved?

It is important that the draft LLCA is put together with a consistent approach, where the descriptions for each landscape character type follow the same format

and contain a similar level of detail. It is advisable to have a single coordinator of this process.

Consultation and community involvement Bringing the LLCA detail together to create a draft document can be done by a

small core group of volunteers, but it is vital that the local community have the opportunity to comment on the draft and provide further information they feel may have been missed.

LLCA Format

A suggested format to structure your LLCA can be found within Appendix 1. CHARGEABLE RESOURCE - A Landscape Architect from Cornwall Council would

be available to provide feedback on the draft LLCA (refer to Appendix 3).

STEP 7 - Presenting Draft LLCA to community

Why do we need to present the draft LLCA to the community?

The LLCA is likely to have been drawn together by a small core group, and it is important that the community also have a chance to comment on the content of

the document. Also, the factual character of the landscape detailed in the LLCA needs to have a further layer of human value

added to it. The landscape will be

valued in different ways by different people, and it is this important

information which needs to be

incorporated into the LLCA.

How do we involve

the community? Through the

preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan there are stages where

the community are

Figure 9 – Roseland LLCA community consultation 2014



consulted, and these are great opportunities to also present the draft LLCA

findings. Alternatively a display can be create in the village hall/community centre, and advertised through the community.

Understanding the value of your landscape To understand how the landscape is valued and by whom, you need to engage

your community. The assessment of landscape value needs to relate to particular places as well as perceptual aspects of the landscape experience. These subjective judgements of value also need to be recorded within the LLCA.

Valuing the

landscape needs to be quantifiable and

identifiable. You need to know

what it is that people value and where it is. This

way you can spatially map

value onto your landscape character types.

How can we find out what people value?

Ideas for getting your community’s views on values could include: Putting a spot on a map to mark a location and filling in a short

questionnaire on why they have marked that spot Getting people to write down what they would like to preserve in the

landscape

Completing a more detailed questionnaire, whose questions could include 1. What changes have happened to the local landscape which you

believe have significantly changed it, and how? 2. Looking to the future, what changes do you envisage could have the

greatest effect on the landscape of your area? What sort of change

will this be? 3. Where in your local area would you take a visitor to enjoy the

landscape and why? 4. Is there a place where you get the feeling of being ‘away from it

all’?

CHARGEABLE RESOURCE - A Landscape Architect from Cornwall Council could

provide support in organising a public consultation event for the LLCA. Support can also be provided in the drafting of environmental policies in your NDP (refer to Appendix 3).

Figure 10 – Roseland LLCA community consultation 2014



STEP 8 - Finalise the Local Landscape Character Assessment

Bringing the whole LLCA together It is vital that the focus remains to create a factual record of landscape

character, which will provide environmental evidence to underpin relevant polices in your NDP. Policy which requires the conservation and enhancement should be evidenced by a robust factual record of the existing character, against

which to refer proposals for new development.

Adding Value Involving the community in Step 7 will undoubtedly provide more information

which needs to be combined into the draft LLCA, particularly relating to how the landscape is valued locally. By adding this further detail to the factual information collected in the field, you will gain a greater understanding of what

is special and important in your NDP area. The landscape will be valued in different ways by different people, and this perceptual and experiential

information can be incorporated into the LLCA. Valuing the landscape needs to be quantifiable and identifiable. You need to know what is important to, and valued by the local people, and where it is. This way, you can spatially record

the value and importance of the landscape onto your LLCA maps.

How LLCA informs Neighbourhood Plan policy The detail recorded within the LLCA needs to feed into and support the development of the NDP policies. The LLCA can then be taken fully into account

when: - Assessing development proposals

considering the appropriate weight to be attached to the conservation and enhancement of

the natural and historic landscape - Protecting valued features and

landscapes from development which would not maintain or enhance their special qualities.

To illustrate, this policy is included

within the Roseland NDP: ‘Policy LA2 - Local Landscape

Character. Proposals for development will be

permitted where they have demonstrated that

they respond to local character and reflect the

identity of the local surroundings based on the

assessment of the Roseland Local Landscape

Character. Where development is proposed

which will detract from or have an adverse

impact on characteristics that have been

identified by the community and in the Roseland Local Landscape Character Assessment as

important to the character of the local area, it will be refused.’

https://www.roselandplan.org/the-plan.html

https://www.roselandplan.org/roseland-local-landscape-character-assessment.html



Appendix 1: LLCA possible layout

The following has been provided as a suggested format to structure your LLCA :

1. Foreword – summary of the purpose and need for a LLCA.

2. Introduction – how the LLCA was developed in tandem with the overarching Neighbourhood Plan, community volunteers, specialists, and

the involvement of the wider public through consultation.

3. What is Local Landscape Character Assessment ? – an explanation of

what LLCA is; the local need for the document; how the landscape within the Plan has been divided to assess the different ‘landscape types’ ; the use of the LLCA in community led planning ; a location map to reference each

of the ‘landscape types’. You could copy and reference elements of this guidance to help you complete this and other chapters of your LLCA report.

4. Local Landscape Assessment - A description of each ‘landscape type’ covering the following headings

- Key characteristics of that landscape character type - Topography and drainage - Biodiversity

- Land cover and land use - Field and woodland pattern

- Settlement pattern - Transport pattern - Historic features

- Condition - Aesthetic and sensory

- Distinctive features - Views - Pressures and forces for change

- Landscape management and development considerations

If your Neighbourhood Plan covers a cluster of Parishes, there is an

opportunity within the final LLCA document to create chapters that provide

more detailed information for each parish.



Appendix 2 – Useful links - Local Landscape Character Assessment

Mapping

Cornwall Council on line mapping: http://map.cornwall.gov.uk/website/ccmap/

Ordnance survey mapping: http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite

Agricultural Land Classification: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/35012?category=23033

Access and rights of way: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=4634

Natural environment mapping: https://magic.defra.gov.uk/

Landscape Character

Cornwall Landscape Character Assessment 2007: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/cornwalls-

landscape/landscape-character-assessment-2007/

An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment – Natural England 2014: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/

396192/landscape-character-assessment.pdf

Landscape and Environment Guidance Note:

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/11408578/Landscape-and-the-environment-guide-note-March-15.pdf

Cornwall Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan 2011 –

2016: https://www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk/

Cornwall Renewable Energy Supplementary Planning Document (consultation

document June 2015) : http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/minerals-waste-and-renewable-energy/renewable-energy/

St Austell China Clay Tipping and Restoration: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/minerals-waste-and-renewable-energy/st-austell-china-clay-tipping-and-restoration-

strategy/

Judging Landscape Capacity – A Development Management Toolkit:

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/cornwalls-landscape/judging-landscape-sensitivity-and-capacity-a-development-management-toolkit/

National Character Area Profiles (south West) – Natural England: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-character-area-profiles-

data-for-local-decision-making/national-character-area-profiles

https://map.cornwall.gov.uk/website/ccmap/

https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/

http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/35012?category=23033

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/countryside/public-rights-of-way/

https://magic.defra.gov.uk/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/cornwalls-landscape/landscape-character-assessment-2007/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/cornwalls-landscape/landscape-character-assessment-2007/

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/691184/landscape-character-assessment.pdf

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/691184/landscape-character-assessment.pdf

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/11408578/Landscape-and-the-environment-guide-note-March-15.pdf

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/11408578/Landscape-and-the-environment-guide-note-March-15.pdf

https://www.cornwall-aonb.gov.uk/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/minerals-waste-and-renewable-energy/renewable-energy/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/minerals-waste-and-renewable-energy/st-austell-china-clay-tipping-and-restoration-strategy/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/cornwalls-landscape/judging-landscape-sensitivity-and-capacity-a-development-management-toolkit/

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-character-area-profiles-data-for-local-decision-making/national-character-area-profiles



Cornwall Landscape Character Best Practice Guide 2011: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/cornwalls-landscape/

cornwall-landscape-character-assessment-best-practice-guidance- 2011/

Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, 3rd edition

(2013): [Link no longer available]

Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment publications: [Link no longer available]

Historic Environment

Historic Environment Guidance Note: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3632475/Historic-Environment-research-tools-doc.pdf

Cornwall Historic Environment Record: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/historic-environment/cornwall-and-

scilly-historic-environment-record/

Historic Landscape Character: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/

historic-environment/cornwall-and-scilly-historic-environment-record/historic-landscape-

character/

Cornwall Industrial Settlement Initiative: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/strategic-historic-environment-service/guidance/appraisals-and-surveys/cornwall-industrial-settlements-initiative/

Cornwall and Scilly Urban Survey: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/strategic-historic-environment-service/guidance/appraisals-and-surveys/cornwall-and-scilly-urban-survey/

Natural Environment

Cornwall Wildlife Trust: www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/

ERCCIS: https://erccis.org.uk/requesting-data/neighbourhood-planning

Wildlife Trees and Woodland Guidance Note: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/11408605/Wildlife-trees-woodland-guide-note-

March-15.pdf

Biodiversity and Geological Conservation – Planning Good Practice Guidance for Cornwall – November 2007: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3622896/Biodiversity-BPG-FINAL-JAN-08.pdf

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/cornwalls-landscape/cornwall-landscape-character-assessment-best-practice-guidance-2011/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3632475/Historic-Environment-research-tools-doc.pdf

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/strategic-historic-environment-service/cornwall-and-scilly-historic-environment-record/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/strategic-historic-environment-service/cornwall-and-scilly-historic-environment-record/historic-landscape-character/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/strategic-historic-environment-service/guidance/appraisals-and-surveys/cornwall-industrial-settlements-initiative/

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/strategic-historic-environment-service/guidance/appraisals-and-surveys/cornwall-and-scilly-urban-survey/

https://www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/

https://erccis.org.uk/requesting-data/neighbourhood-planning

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/11408605/Wildlife-trees-woodland-guide-note-March-15.pdf

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/media/3622896/Biodiversity-BPG-FINAL-JAN-08.pdf



Appendix 3: LLCA support services

The following information indicates how officers from Cornwall Council can provide support in the preparation of a Local Landscape Character Assessment

(LLCA) as an evidence base for a Neighbourhood Development Plan(NDP). The requirements of each NDP will be different, therefore the following information is provided as an initial guide. The detailed costs may vary depending upon the

size of each NDP area.

The Stage 1 LLCA, and Stage 2 Settlement Edge Assessment methodologies have been piloted in as part of the Roseland and Porthleven NDPs. The service

and support which can be provided has been aligned to the ‘Steps’ which are followed to create both a Stage 1 Local Landscape Character Assessment and an LLCA Stage 2 Settlement Edge Assessment. Detailed information relating to each

methodology is available on the Neighbourhood Planning web site

LLCA Stage 1 – Landscape Character Assessment LLCA Stage 1 - Introductory information

An overview of the process of how LLCA can inform your NDP, a list of ‘Useful

Links’ to mapping sites, books and web sites which will help you to learn more about character assessment, and briefing note to give to community volunteers

to provide them with more information on LLCA to encourage them to get involved are all available from the Environment Service of Cornwall Council. This information gives the background for ‘Steps’ 1 to 3 in creating a Stage 1 LLCA.

This is free of charge.

LLCA Stage 1 - Training Workshop

A Landscape Architect from Cornwall Council will be able to provide a 2 hour training session to introduce landscape assessment and the process of undertaking a Stage 1 LLCA. The workshop includes an exercise in completing a

fieldwork assessment sheet with a Landscape Architect there to answer any questions relating to the process. Copies of the blank field assessment sheets

are included within the cost of the training and will be provided as paper copies and in a digital format for reproduction. To get maximum benefit from this training it is recommended that the volunteers who will be carrying out the field

work assessment all attend the training. This Workshop will provide the information needed for ‘Steps’ 4 and 5 in creating a Stage 1 LLCA

For this there will be a charge of £200+VAT LLCA Stage 1 – Creating ‘Landscape Types’

To undertake a character assessment the landscape needs to first be divided up

using topography into areas of common character called ‘Landscape Types’. This can be done by the LLCA Group, but assistance can be provided by a Landscape

Architect. The cost of this assistance to the NDP group will be dependent upon the scale of the NDP area. For this there will be a likely charge of £86+VAT based on two hours

LLCA Stage 1 - Reviewing the draft ‘landscape type’ descriptions

Some NDP groups have requested feedback on the level of detail and descriptions recorded on the fieldwork assessment sheets early in the process



for reassurance that they have understood the methodology and have recorded

an appropriate level of detail. Assistance can be provided by a Landscape Architect, and the amount of time involved will be dependent upon the number and complexity of the ‘landscape types’.

For this there will be a likely charge of £86+VAT based on two hours

LLCA Stage 1 - Preparing the draft ‘landscape type’ descriptions

Assistance can be provided by a Landscape Architect, to review the collated

descriptions for the ‘landscape types’ and advise on the format of the LLCA Stage 1 document. This work would be covered under Step 6 of the LLCA Stage

1 methodology. For this there will be a likely charge of £170+VAT based on four hours

LLCA Stage 1 - Presenting the draft assessment to the community and assessing the wider community value of the landscape

Assistance can be provided by a Landscape Architect, to organise a consultation

event to allow the local community to review the completed draft LLCA Stage 1 and gain their views on the value and importance of the local landscape. A Landscape Architect would be able available to assist in the organisation of

display material and to be present at the consultation event. This work would be covered under Step 7 of the LLCA Stage 1 methodology.

For this there will be a charge of £900+VAT based on 3 days

LLCA Stage 2 Settlement Edge Assessment LLCA Stage 2 - Introductory training workshop

A Landscape Architect would be available run a one day training workshop for

volunteers on ‘Settlement Edge Assessment’ looking specifically at the sensitivity and capacity of the settlement boundary to accept future change. This training would involve a morning briefing on the application of the methodology and a

site visit in the afternoon to have a go at recording information into the LLCA Stage 2 field assessment sheets. Copies of the blank LLCA Stage 2 assessment

sheets and explanatory notes for the method of assessment are included within the cost of the training and will be provided as paper copies and in a digital format for reproduction.

For this there would be a charge of £450+VAT based on one and a half days to allow for preparation and delivery.

LLCA Stage 2 - Initial guidance on creating ‘land parcel’ descriptions

It is recommended that you have a meeting with Landscape Architect once you have started to fill in the LLCA Stage 2 field assessment sheets. This will ensure

a consistent level of detail is recorded and that the methodology has been understood. A site visit and meeting to look at the information recorded for the

land parcel For this there would be a charge of £170+VAT based on four hours

Overall review of the completed ‘land parcel’ descriptions

It is recommended that a Landscape Architect carries out a review of the completed land parcel descriptions, to ensure consistency in the completed

document and compliance with national guidance on character assessment. For this there will be a likely charge of £130+VAT based on three hours



The following information indicates how officers from Cornwall Council can provide support in the preparation of a Local Landscape Character Assessment (LLCA) as an evidence base for a Neighbourhood Development Plan(NDP). The

requirements of each NDP will be different, therefore the following information is provided as an initial guide. The detailed costs may vary depending upon the

size of each NDP area. The Stage 1 LLCA, and Stage 2 Settlement Edge Assessment methodologies

have been piloted in as part of the Roseland and Porthleven NDPs. The service and support which can be provided has been aligned to the ‘Steps’ which are

followed to create both a Stage 1 Local Landscape Character Assessment and an LLCA Stage 2 Settlement Edge Assessment. Detailed information relating to each methodology is available on the Neighbourhood Planning web site.

Introductory information for LLCA Stage 1

An overview of the process of how LLCA can inform your NDP, a list of ‘Useful Links’ to mapping sites, books and web sites which will help you to learn more about character assessment, and briefing note to give to community volunteers

to provide them with more information on LLCA to encourage them to get involved are all available from the Environment Service of Cornwall Council. This

information gives the background for ‘Steps’ 1 to 3 in creating a Stage 1 LLCA. This is free of charge.

LLCA Stage 1 - Training Workshop

A Landscape Architect from Cornwall Council will be able to provide a 2 hour

training session to introduce landscape assessment and the process of undertaking a Stage 1 LLCA. The workshop includes an exercise in completing a fieldwork assessment sheet with a Landscape Architect there to answer any

questions relating to the process. Copies of the blank field assessment sheets are included within the cost of the training and will be provided as paper copies

and in a digital format for reproduction. To get maximum benefit from this training it is recommended that the volunteers who will be carrying out the field work assessment all attend the training. This Workshop will provide the

information needed for ‘Steps’ 4 and 5 in creating a Stage 1 LLCA For this there will be a charge of £200+VAT

LLCA Stage 1 – Creating ‘Landscape Types’

To undertake a character assessment the landscape needs to first be divided up

using topography into areas of common character called ‘Landscape Types’. This can be done by the LLCA Group, but assistance can be provided by a Landscape Architect. The cost of this assistance will be dependent upon the scale of the

NDP area. For this there will be a likely charge of £86+VAT based on two hours



Reviewing the draft ‘Landscape Type’ descriptions

Some NDP groups have requested feedback on the level of detail and

descriptions recorded on the fieldwork assessment sheets early in the process for reassurance that they have understood the methodology and have recorded

an appropriate level of detail. Assistance can be provided by a Landscape Architect, and the amount of time involved will be dependent upon the number and complexity of the ‘landscape types’.

For this there will be a likely charge of £86+VAT based on two hours

Preparing the draft LLCA Stage 1

Assistance can be provided by a Landscape Architect, to review the collated descriptions for the ‘landscape types’ and advise on the format of the LLCA

Stage 1 document. This work would be covered under Step 6 of the LLCA Stage 1 methodology.

For this there will be a likely charge of £170+VAT based on four hours

Presenting the draft LLCA Stage 1 to the community and assessing the wider community value of the landscape

Assistance can be provided by a Landscape Architect, to organise a consultation

event to allow the local community to review the completed draft LLCA Stage 1 and gain their views on the value and importance of the local landscape. A Landscape Architect would be able available to assist in the organisation of

display material and to be present at the consultation event. This work would be covered under Step 7 of the LLCA Stage 1 methodology.

For this there will be a charge of £900 based on 3 days

LLCA Stage 2 Settlement Edge Assessment

A Landscape Architect would be available run a one day training workshop for volunteers on ‘Settlement Edge Assessment’ looking specifically at the sensitivity

and capacity of the settlement boundary to accept future change. This training would involve a morning briefing on the application of the methodology and a site visit in the afternoon to have a go at recording information into the LLCA

Stage 2 field assessment sheets. Copies of the blank LLCA Stage 2 assessment sheets and explanatory notes for the method of assessment are included within

the cost of the training and will be provided as paper copies and in a digital format for reproduction. For this there would be a charge of £450 based on one and a half days to allow

for preparation and delivery.

LLCA Stage 2 Reviewing the draft ‘land parcel’ descriptions

You may require feedback from a Landscape Architect on the level of detail and descriptions recorded on the Stage 2 fieldwork assessment sheets. Assistance

can be provided by a Landscape Architect, and the amount of time involved will be dependent upon the number and complexity of the ‘land parcels’.

For this there will be a likely charge of £170+VAT based on four hours

local landscape character assessment guidance (llca) · 2019-12-11 · a template, and adds a much...

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