Landscape Character Assessment Supplementary Planning Document
The Landscape Character Assessment Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted by the Council on Thursday, 5 March 2026.
The SPD provides an assessment of the different landscape character types and areas within the District – describing the elements which make up the landscape including: geology, soils, topography and drainage; semi-natural habitats and tree cover; land use and field patterns; cultural associations and historic landscape; settlement and transport patterns; access and recreation; views and perceptual qualities.
The SPD also identifies the pressures and forces for change to the landscape with consideration given to: climate change; agricultural change; development; habitat management and environmental initiatives; heritage at risk; tourism, recreation and access pressure; pollution, littering and anti-social behaviour.
The SPD has been produced to provide developers, planners and landscape professionals with guidance on how to manage and mitigate such changes within the different landscape types and areas in the District. A key aim of the SPD is to ensure that the design of new development or other landscape scale projects are mindful of the landscape character and potential impacts.
The SPD and supporting documents can be accessed using the links below:
- Landscape Character Assessment SPD (2026) Chapters 1 and 2 (PDF)
- Landscape Character Assessment SPD (2026) Chapter 3 – LCTs A-D (PDF 22 Mb)
- Landscape Character Assessment SPD (2026) Chapter 3 – LCTs E-H (PDF 23 Mb)
- Landscape Character Assessment SPD (2026) Appendices A-C (PDF)
- Interactive Map (coming soon) – this map provides key datasets used in the Landscape Character Assessment and supplements the main report
- Adoption Statement (PDF)
- Statement of Consultation (PDF)
Reference copies of the above documents are available in the main deposit locations across the District.
Please note that the Landscape Character Assessment SPD (2008) was formally revoked on 5 March 2026 and no longer forms a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. Please contact the Local Plan team if archive copies of this document are required.
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LCA SPD Chapters 1 and 2 | 2 Mb |
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LCA SPD Chapter 3 LCTs A-D | 22 Mb |
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LCA SPD Chapter 3 LCTs E-H | 23 Mb |
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LCA SPD Appendices A-C | 676 Kb |
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LCA SPD Adoption Statement | 253 Kb |
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LCA SPD Statement of Consultation | 1 Mb |
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LCA SPD Revocation Statement(2008) | 221 Kb |
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