An essential element in reviewing and proposing areas for local landscape designation is the adoption of a consistent systematic and transparent process.

Back to top

Relevant guidance

There is no current generally accepted methodology for reviewing or updating local landscape designations in England.

Natural England’s recommended ’Approach to Landscape Character Assessment’ (2014) includes a definition of ‘Landscape Value’ in Annex 1, stated as:

“The relative value or importance attached to a landscape… which expresses national or local consensus, because of its quality, special qualities including perceptual aspects such as scenic beauty, tranquillity or wildness, cultural associations or other conservation issues.”

 

The Landscape Institute’s Technical Guidance Note 02/21 ‘Assessing landscape value outside national designations’ also includes a helpful summary of the range of factors that can be considered when identifying landscape value (in Table 1). These are:

• Natural heritage – Landscape with clear evidence of ecological, geological, geomorphological or physiographic interest which contribute positively to the landscape.
• Cultural heritage – Landscape with clear evidence of archaeological, historical or cultural interest which contribute positively to the landscape.
• Landscape condition – Landscape which is in a good physical state both with regard to individual elements and overall landscape structure.
• Associations – Landscape which is connected with notable people, events and the arts.
• Distinctiveness – Landscape that has a strong sense of identity.
• Recreational – Landscape offering recreational opportunities where experience of landscape is important.
• Perceptual (Scenic) – Landscape that appeals to the senses, primarily the visual sense.
• Perceptual (Wildness and tranquillity) – Landscape with a strong perceptual value notably wildness, tranquillity and/or dark skies.
• Functional – Landscape which performs a clearly identifiable and valuable function, particularly in the healthy functioning of the landscape.

Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland jointly published Guidance on Local Landscape Designations in 2006, which was updated in 2020. This includes recommendations on the key steps to follow and criteria to use when undertaking local landscape designation studies.

In 2021 the Landscape Institute published a Technical Guidance Note entitled ‘Assessing Landscape Value Outside National Designations’. This publication recognises that the guidance produced by NatureScot may be helpful for other nations that do not have their own guidance, and suggests that where local designations are used, the identification of their spatial boundaries and their landscape qualities should be supported by evidence.

The methodology for this study draws from the above guidance as well as LUC’s experience in undertaking designation reviews elsewhere in the UK.

Clarification note on the meaning of Valued Landscapes

A summary of current thinking on the meaning and terms relating to valued landscapes is set out below, with an indication of what this means for the evaluation of Local Landscape Designations.

Back to top

All landscapes are of value

At the outset it is important to note that all landscape is of value. This principle was established by the European Landscape Convention (ELC), which came into force in the UK in March 2007. The ELC recognises that landscape is an important part of the quality of life for people everywhere: in urban areas and in the countryside, in degraded areas as well as in areas of high quality, in areas recognised as being of outstanding beauty as well as everyday areas. The ELC definition of ‘landscape’ considers that all landscapes matter, be they ordinary, degraded or outstanding. It defines landscape as: “an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”.

The ELC establishes the need to recognise landscape in law; to develop landscape policies dedicated to the protection, management and planning of landscapes; and to establish procedures for the participation of the general public and other stakeholders in the creation and implementation of landscape policies.

Back to top

Valued Landscapes and the NPPF

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), updated December 2023, recognises the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, and the wider benefits from natural capital and ecosystem services that it provides.

In paragraph 180, it states that: “Planning policies and decisions should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by: …protecting and enhancing valued landscapes (in a manner commensurate with their statutory status or identified quality in the development plan);”

It goes on to say in paragraph 181 that “Plans should: distinguish between the hierarchy of international, national and locally designated sites; allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value, where consistent with other policies in this Framework; take a strategic approach to maintaining and enhancing networks of habitats and green infrastructure; and plan for the enhancement of natural capital at a catchment or landscape scale across local authority boundaries.”

The NPPF does not offer a definition of what constitutes a ‘valued landscape’. However, case law has reached a broad consensus among planning, law and landscape professionals on issues around valued landscapes. While designated landscapes, including LLD, are likely to be considered ‘valued’ for the purposes of para 180 of the NPPF, it is important to note that non-designated areas can also be ‘valued’.

Case law indicates that: “Many areas of countryside are understandably valued by local residents, but to be considered “valued‟ in the context of the NPPF, there needs to be something “special‟ or out of the ordinary that can be defined;”

To be valued a site is required to show some demonstrable physical attributes rather than just popularity.

This assessment will:

• elucidate those ‘special’ landscapes within South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse that are valued;
• define the attributes and identify the qualities that make them worthy of local designation;
• ensure a robust and consistent criteria-based approach to defining locally designated landscapes;
• develop appropriate recommendations for policy implementation.

As noted above this assessment is at a district landscape scale, there will also be areas outside the LLDs that may also have a high landscape value, be locally valued and popular, or possess features, attributes or qualities of value that may also merit protection.

Back to top

Approach

Geographic scope

The scope of this study includes a full review of the study area, excluding areas that already fall within the nationally designated landscapes of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape and Chilterns National Landscape.

Links to the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Landscape Character Assessment

This review is being undertaken alongside the update of the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Landscape Character Assessment, also by LUC. The review uses the framework of the Landscape Character Areas (LCA), of which there are 44. However, it should be noted that the Landscape Character Assessment is based on broad variations in landscape character and not quality and value. There may, therefore, be differences in boundaries between the LCAs and LLD areas. It should also be noted that all LCAs within the study area are likely to include some valued qualities or features, even if they do not form part of an LLD area.

Back to top

Size and coherence

LLD areas defined through this study should be of a sufficient size and form a coherent recognisable area at a district scale. A single important feature or site is not, on its own, enough to merit landscape designation at this scale. The following points are relevant:

• Is the area of sufficient size to make it practical to develop policies for its protection, management and planning at the district scale?
• Is the area recognisable as a cohesive place or entity, of consistent character at the district scale?

There will be many individual places, sites and features within the wider landscape of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse which are of high quality but not within an LLD area due to the reasons above. Neighbourhood Development Plans could define smaller areas which are appropriate for more local planning purposes (see paragraph 2.30).

Back to top

Criteria development

The evaluation criteria are drawn from the relevant guidance, including the LI Technical Guidance and SNH guidance. They also draw on criteria developed by LUC in previous local designation studies which have been assessed as robust through the Local Plan examination process. The six evaluation criteria are:

1. Local distinctiveness and sense of place;

• This aligns with the ‘Distinctiveness’ factor for considering landscape value from the LI Technical Guidance Note 02/21

2. Landscape quality;

• This aligns with the ‘Landscape condition’ and ‘Functional’ factors for considering landscape value from the LI Technical Guidance Note 02/21

3. Scenic qualities and perceptual aspects;

• This aligns with the ‘Perceptual (Scenic)’ and ‘Perceptual (Wildness and tranquillity)’ factor for considering landscape value from the LI Technical Guidance Note 02/21

4. Natural and cultural qualities.

• This aligns with the ‘Natural heritage’ and ‘Cultural heritage’ factors for considering landscape value from the LI Technical Guidance Note 02/21

5. Recreation value

• This aligns with the ‘Recreational’ factor for considering landscape value from the LI Technical Guidance Note 02/21

6. Associations

• This aligns with the ‘Associations’ factor for considering landscape value from the LI Technical Guidance Note 02/21

The relationship with the LI Technical guidance note criteria is provided below.

 

Back to top

Criteria for identifying Valued Landscapes – South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse

Criterion 1. Local distinctiveness and sense of place

Definition

• A landscape which is rare/unique or special in the local context.
• A landscape with a strong sense of place derived from its combinations of elements.
• A landscape which contains character/features or elements which are considered to be important, good examples, or rare examples.

Potential Indicators

• A coherent landscape character conferring a recognisable sense of place.
• A distinct landform or topography forming a discrete or recognisable area.
• A distinctive, rare or representative land cover.
• An area representative of a particular phase in landscape history/development.

Evidence

• Landscape Character Assessment
• Historic Landscape Characterisation (HLC)
• Field survey

Criterion 2. Landscape quality (intactness/condition)

Definition

The physical state of the landscape, intactness of the landscape and the condition of individual natural and cultural elements e.g. hedgerows.

Potential Indicators

• Functional aspects of the landscape e.g. ecological integrity, visually coherent.
• Presence of characteristic and valued features (as listed in the Landscape Character Assessment).
• Presence of well managed, natural and cultural features in good condition.
• Absence of incongruous features/detractors or not visually intrusive.

Evidence

• Landscape Character Assessment
• Presence of other designations indicative of condition
• Field survey

Criterion 3. Scenic qualities and perceptual aspects

Definition

A landscape that appeals to the senses – primarily visual.

Perceptual and aesthetic qualities such as sense of tranquillity and remoteness.

Potential Indicators

• Strong visual character e.g. patterns/composition of vegetation/ landform.
• Memorable, important or distinctive views.
• Qualities of expansiveness, openness, enclosure, seclusion.
• Tranquillity or perceptions of tranquillity – peace, quietness, birdsong, dark skies, presence of water – streams and rivers .
• Uninterrupted tracts of land with few built features.
• Relative lack of human influence/absence of incongruous features.

Evidence

• Landscape Character Assessment
• Dark skies/Light impact assessment for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, LUC 2024
• Tranquillity Assessment for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, LUC 2024
• Field Survey
• CPRE Night Blight/Dark Skies
• CPRE Tranquillity

Criterion 4. Natural and cultural qualities

Definition

Presence of natural and cultural attributes or particular associations that contribute to the value of the landscape.

Note: This criterion alone is not enough in its own right for an LLD as likely to be covered under other designations.

Potential Indicators

• Visible expression of geology creating distinctive sense of place.
• Presence of wildlife and/or habitats/species that make a particular contribution to sense of place or scenic quality.
• Presence of settlements, buildings or other structures that make a particular contribution to sense of place or scenic quality.
• Visible presence of historic landscape types or specific landscape elements or features that provide evidence of time depth or historic influence on the landscape.

Evidence

• Landscape Character Assessment
• Designations (national and local)
• Conservation Areas and Conservation Area Appraisals

Criterion 5. Recreation value

Definition

Evidence that the landscape is valued for recreational activity where the experience of the landscape is important.

Potential Indicators

Evidence of recreational activity based on experience of the landscape (e.g. walking routes, access opportunities, activities such as birdwatching).

Note: needs to be more than just ‘popularity’.

Evidence

• Landscape Character Assessment
• Field survey
• OS map data

Criterion 6. Associations

Definition

Landscapes associated with particular people such as artists or writers or events in history that contribute to their character.

Potential Indicators

Associations with written descriptions, artistic representations, and associations of the landscape with people places or events.

Evidence

• Local research
• Landscape Character Assessment

Back to top

Desk-based scoping and review

All LCAs outside of the AONBs (including areas of LCAs that are partially within the AONB), were assessed in desk-based scoping exercise. This assessed each LCA against the six criteria using desk-based mapping and other written information. A RAG rating was provided for each criterion with a short description (green – clearly meets the criterion, amber – partially meets the criterion, red – does not meet the criterion).

Input from stakeholders on the valued attributes and special qualities of the Landscape Character Areas was also be used for this stage of the assessment.

To go forward as an LLD ‘area of search’ the LCA did not need to fulfil all criteria equally. The candidate LLD may be all or part of an LCA, and the evaluation indicates any spatial differences.

The outputs of the desk-based scoping and review are included in Appendix A.

Relationship with Neighbourhood Development Plans

A number of communities within the study area have Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs). Some of these plans contain policies relating to valued landscapes and these were evaluated as part of this valued landscapes assessment.

• The Shiplake NDP (Adopted September 2022) defines three valued landscape areas where distinct rural character, role in AONB setting, intrinsic character and beauty and contribution to distinctive settlement character of Shiplake Cross and Lower Shiplake are to be protected. These areas overlap with the Chilterns Dipslope LLD and the Henley to Sonning Eye Thames Floodplain LLD.
• Kidmore End NDP (Adopted September 2022) identifies a valued landscape area on the basis of valued landscape features and role in the setting of Chilterns National Landscape using criteria based on GLVIA Box 5.1. This area overlaps with the Chilterns Dipslope LLD.

Other NDPs contain more generalised policies relating to landscape setting, rural character, locally important views and skylines and local gaps between settlements. Whilst there is some overlap with elements of the valued landscapes identified in this assessment, these policies do not define specific valued landscapes.

As noted in paragraph 2.22, there are valued landscapes in the study area which are not proposed as an LLD. This is because they do not meet the criteria used within this study, such as being of a sufficient size to make it practical to develop policies at a district scale. Neighbourhood plans may seek to designate further valued landscapes at a neighbourhood scale, outside of those identified in this assessment. NDPs could use similar criteria to those set out in this assessment to identify valued landscapes at a neighbourhood scale.

Relationship with National Landscapes

The North Wessex Downs and Chilterns National Landscapes are excluded from the valued landscapes assessment, although some of the candidate LLDs are located adjacent to the National Landscape boundaries.

At the time of this assessment, the Chilterns National Landscape is undergoing a boundary review. If any land within the candidate LLDs becomes part of the National Landscape, the National Landscape designation will take precedence and the LLD boundaries will be revised accordingly.

Back to top

Full evaluation of candidate LLDs

Areas which met most or all of the criteria in the desk-based scoping exercise were assessed in more detail against the list of criteria. These candidate LLD areas were then assessed as part of a field survey to consider the criteria in more detail and identify appropriate and robust boundaries.

Landscape is a continuum and boundaries generally represent zones of transition. There is rarely a sharp change in identified landscape qualities either side of an LLD boundary. For ease, boundaries are frequently drawn along best fit physical features including lanes and field boundaries and therefore may include areas of lesser or greater quality or areas of different character. Conversely, there may be some areas within an LLD that do not fully meet the criteria but are part of a wider ‘whole’ that meets the criteria.

Nine candidate LLDs have been identified as part of this process:

• Candidate LLD: Appleford to Long Wittenham LLD
• Candidate LLD: Chiltern Chalk Escarpment Footslopes LLD
• Candidate LLD: Chilterns Dipslope LLD
• Candidate LLD: East Oxford Hills and Otmoor Floodplain LLD
• Candidate LLD: Faringdon and Buscot LLD
• Candidate LLD: Henley-on-Thames to Sonning Eye Thames Floodplain LLD
• Candidate LLD: Northern Thames Valley LLD
• Candidate LLD: West Oxford Hills and Thames floodplain LLD
• Candidate LLD: West of Wantage LLD

The candidate LLDs are mapped in the figure below and the full profiles are located in the Profiles section.

Location of candidate LLDs - View map full screen

Each full LLD evaluation profile is structured as follows:

• Summary information including extent of area and landscape character context;
• Statement of Significance;
• Summary of Special Landscape Qualities;
• Evaluation against the criteria;
• Landscape guidelines (to protect/conserve, manage and enhance/restore and create landscape character); and
• Representative photographs.