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Approach

The Landscape Character Assessment follows the method promoted by Natural England through ‘An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment’ (2014) which embeds the principles of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) within it. The guidance identifies five key principles for landscape assessment:

• Landscape is everywhere and all landscape and seascape has character;
• Landscape occurs at all scales and the process of Landscape Character Assessment can be undertaken at any scale;
• The process of Landscape Character Assessment should involve an understanding of how the landscape is perceived and experienced by people;
• A Landscape Character Assessment can provide a landscape evidence base to inform a range of decisions and applications; and
• A Landscape Character Assessment can provide an integrating spatial framework – a multitude of variables come together to give us our distinctive landscapes.

The components of landscape character are organised into three main categories, reflecting the ‘landscape wheel’ illustration in the Natural England guidance:

• Natural;
• Cultural/social; and
• Perceptual.

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Assessment Process

The process for undertaking the study involved several key stages as described below.

Stage 1: Review of existing LCA studies

An initial review of the existing 2017 landscape character assessments for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse was carried out, as well as the 1998 South Oxfordshire study. This review informed a reclassification of landscape character types (LCT) and landscape character areas (LCA) as set out in Chapter 5.

Stage 2: Pilot study

A draft methodology and pilot assessment were produced for comment by South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council. This indicated the layout, components, and level of detail to be provided for each LCA profile.

Stage 3: First draft analysis

Amendments were made to the methodology and classification to reflect comments on the draft methodology and pilot assessment. Following this, draft profiles were produced for each LCA including key characteristics, landscape descriptions, valued qualities and forces for change, and formative thoughts on strategy and guidelines.

This was primarily a desk-based exercise involving the collation of a wide range of up-to-date mapped information relating to landscape, cultural heritage, nature conservation and planning. Data used within the report, including data collated in the GIS database is shown in the table below.

Stage 4: Consultation inputs

A series of consultation activities were undertaken which presented the draft landscape classification and key characteristics, and focussed on gaining insight from stakeholders on:

• What is valued about the landscape and why?
• What are the main issues of change and why?

The findings from the consultation were used to inform further consideration of the draft landscape classification and LCA profiles. More detail on the consultation process and activities is set out in Appendix B.

Stage 5: Fieldwork

A systematic field survey was undertaken to review and refine the draft classification and descriptions. This involved:

• Verifying and fine-tuning the classification of the landscape types and areas identified including review of boundaries;
• Checking and identifying key characteristics;
• Checking aesthetic/perceptual characteristics;
• Taking photographs to illustrate the report; and
• Providing more detailed guidance in relation to changes observed on the ground.

Stage 6: Full draft report

The full draft report was produced, reflecting the fieldwork findings, any comments from the Councils on the first drafts and input from the Councils regarding strategy and guidelines for each LCA.

Stage 7: Final report

The final report took into account feedback from the Councils following issue of the full draft report.

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Landscape Character Area Profiles

The Landscape Character Assessment is presented at an LCA level, with character areas organised within their respective LCT in the Landscape profiles section of this digital report.

Each LCT section begins with a brief description of the common elements that define it and a list of component LCAs, together with an overview map showing the location(s) of the LCT within the study area and its relationship with other LCTs.

The individual LCA profiles are structured as follows:

Summary of Location and Landscape Character

A summary paragraph explaining its location and defining landscape character is followed by a bullet point list of key characteristics. These summarise the combinations of landscape components which help to give an area its distinctive sense of place.

A context map (1.25,000 OS base) shows the LCA, and a colour-shaded topographical map, which also shows flood zones and watercourses, helps to convey its physical form and context.

Representative Photos

The list of key characteristics is followed by a series of photos, each accompanied by a brief description. These illustrate landscape components noted in the preceding list. Photos may be included elsewhere in the character area profile to fill gaps between sections.

Description

Bullet points list characteristics relating to each of the following ten landscape components (where applicable):

Natural characteristics

• Landform (including geology and soils)
• Hydrology
• Semi-natural land cover

Cultural/social characteristics

• Land use
• Settlement
• Infrastructure
• Historic character

Perceptual characteristics

• Views
• Tranquillity (including dark skies)
• Associations.

Comments on dark skies and tranquillity have been informed by LUC’s Dark Skies Assessment and Tranquillity Assessment that also form part of the Council’s landscape evidence base.

Valued qualities

A bullet point list is provided for valued qualities. Each entry indicates why the quality in question is valued; this is associated with distinctiveness/ scarcity, condition or function. The latter relates to functions associated with landscape character, not to functions which provide benefits not associated with landscape character. So recreational value where landscape/views is a key element is a functional value. Biodiversity value is relevant as it adds to experience of landscape. Functional value of producing food or renewable energy, or storing carbon or water, is not.

This section is accompanied by two further maps of the LCA and its surroundings, showing landscape, natural heritage and cultural heritage designations. Where applicable, mapping indicates any Local Landscape Designations proposed in LUC’s separate Valued Landscapes Assessment.

Forces for change

‘Forces for change’ are listed in bullet point format. These include changes that have affected the landscape in recent times, and changes that can be expected to affect it in the foreseeable future, including likely impacts of climate change.

Each bullet point indicates the causes of change and makes reference to any valued qualities that are affected. These are ordered to reflect the landscape components affected – i.e. natural then cultural/social then perceptual – although it is recognised that multiple components may be relevant in some cases.

Landscape strategy and guidelines

To provide guidelines to minimise adverse landscape change, or enhance the existing landscape, a strategy for the LCA is set out.

Recognising the carbon net zero target, the inevitability of climate change and the competing needs for land use, it is expected that landscape change will occur. All landscapes evolve and change over time. Strategy statements reflect this, rather than providing guidelines which just advise on avoidance of development or change. This includes consideration of sensitivities associated with renewable energy developments, with reference to the findings of LUC’s separate South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Renewable Energy Study.

The strategy notes ‘target’ characteristics and valued qualities, with reference to forces for change.

Guidelines for each LCA are set out as bullet points beneath each element of the landscape strategy. Some guidelines are common to the LCT but others are specific to the LCA. They are a tool to guide development/land uses and environmental improvements in a way that understands and responds to variations in landscape character and which protects and enhances special qualities and local distinctiveness.