This chapter provides guidance on the use of the tranquillity assessment in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Districts. It is targeted at users such as planners, specialist advisers, developers, and local communities. The guide presents how development proposals could be considered in relation to their impacts on tranquillity and identifies general strategies that could be put in place to protect, enhance and create tranquillity.

The tranquillity indicators, tranquillity zones and recommended strategies are shown in Figure ‎7.1 The strategies move along a spectrum from protecting the existing tranquil resource to enhancing tranquillity, eventually to creating new positive factors of tranquillity. Any development or change may also provide opportunities to reduce/mitigate negative factors of tranquillity both existing and associated with the development itself.

Figure 7.1: Indicators of Tranquillity

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Considering Tranquillity in New Developments

Zone 1: Area of High Tranquillity

These areas have high relative tranquillity, where positive indicators of tranquillity are dominant and where negative visual and/or noise intrusion is low. They cover 22.8% of the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts and are mostly associated with areas in the southwestern part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, as well as eastern areas falling in the Chilterns National Landsacpe. Areas of high tranquillity are also found in the northern parts of the districts, such as the Corallian Ridge. Smaller pockets of high tranquillity can be found across many parts of the landscape and these are as important to conserve as the wider landscape-scale areas of tranquillity.

Tranquillity is an important resource in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts and the strategy is to protect existing tranquillity. In considering any change/development, the tranquillity mapping can be interrogated to provide the following information:

• Is the proposal in or close to an area of high tranquillity, for instance in views from adjacent highly tranquil areas?
• Which positive indicators are contributing to the high positive score in the area of interest? Area there any positive indicators with a high score (for example 4 or 5) in the area of interest? What effect will the development have on these positive indicators of tranquillity?
• Does the proposed development introduce any new negative indicators of tranquillity?
• How does the proposed change protect existing tranquillity?

For any development, the aim should be to protect the existing positive attributes of tranquillity and avoid introducing any new negative factors that reduce tranquillity.

Zone 2: Area of Some Tranquillity

These areas have great tranquillity, with more positive than negative indicators. They cover over half of the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts and coincide with the wider rural areas, away from the main settlements. They provide an important experience of tranquillity for people.

The strategy for these areas is to protect and enhance tranquillity. In considering any change/development, the tranquillity mapping can be interrogated to provide the following information:

• What are the positive indicators of tranquillity present?
• What effect will the development have on the positive indicators of tranquillity present at this location?
• What are the negative indicators of tranquillity present?
• Does the proposal extend or introduce any further negative effects on tranquillity?
• What changes can be made to reduce/mitigate the effect of the development on tranquillity?
• What changes can be made to mitigate existing negative indicators of tranquillity present?
• Can further positive factors influencing tranquillity be created?

The aim should be to protect the positive factors of tranquillity and avoid introducing negative factors that reduce tranquillity. Consideration should be given to options for enhancing tranquillity by reducing/mitigating impacts of existing negative indicators of tranquillity and/or creating further positive indicators of tranquillity.

Zone 3: Area of Mixed Tranquillity

These areas contain positive indicators of tranquillity which are balanced with a degree of visual and/or noise intrusion. They only cover 2.1% of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts and are mostly found in the outskirts of settlements. These areas do not usually have any special protection and are especially vulnerable to further erosion and weakening of tranquillity. The Zone 3 areas provide an opportunity to provide positive interventions that reverse declines in tranquillity.

The strategy for these areas is to enhance tranquillity. In considering any change/development, the tranquillity mapping can be interrogated to provide the following information:

• What effect will the development have on the positive indicators of tranquillity present at this location?
• What changes can be made to reduce/mitigate the effect of the development on positive attributes of tranquillity?
• Does the proposal extend or introduce any further negative effects on tranquillity?
• What changes can be made to mitigate existing negative indicators of tranquillity present?
• What opportunities are there to (re) create aspects of tranquillity as part of the proposed development and to help mitigate effects?

The aim should be to protect any existing positive indicators of tranquillity, mitigate and reduce the negative indicators of tranquillity and where appropriate seek to (re) create further positive indicators of tranquillity. Development should, where possible, seek to avoid introducing further negative factors that reduce tranquillity. There may be opportunities as part of the design to create a sense of tranquillity for future residents and employees.

Zone 4: Area of Low Tranquillity

These are areas that contain a high level of visual and/or noise intrusion where negative indicators of tranquillity dominate over positive ones. They frequently coincide with areas of countryside on the edge of settlement or along transport corridors routes. Although they cover a relatively small part of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse (8.1%), their location means these areas are experienced by many people as part of their everyday lives. These areas are also likely to be subject to development pressures, for example, development associated with existing transport corridors with further effects on levels on tranquillity due to negative visual effect of large-scale roadside development in addition to the negative effect of road noise.

The strategy for these areas is to enhance and where possible create tranquillity. In considering any change/development, the tranquillity mapping can be interrogated to provide the following information:

• What are the remaining positive indicators of tranquillity present at this location?
• What effect will the development have on these positive indicators and what changes can be made to reduce the effect of the development on these factors?
• Does the proposal extend or introduce any further negative effects on tranquillity?
• What changes can be made to mitigate existing negative indicators of tranquillity present?
• What opportunities are there to (re) create aspects of tranquillity as part of the proposed development and to help mitigate effects?

The aim is to enhance any existing attributes of tranquillity perceived at this location and seek to (re) create tranquillity, where appropriate. This should include protecting any of the remaining existing positive indicators of tranquillity. Where possible the proposal should also seek to mitigate and reduce negative indicators of tranquillity and if possible, (re) create further positive indicators of tranquillity, such as areas of tree planting.

Zone 5: Area of Very Low/No Tranquillity

These are areas that contain a high level of visual and/or noise intrusion with a low level of relative tranquillity. These areas are not very common in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, covering less than 1% of the districts, mostly found in urban areas. These areas, which are already negatively affected, are also likely to be subject to further development pressures, for example areas with existing negative factors associated with noise may be targeted for further development that have a visual effect on sense of tranquillity.

The strategy for these locations is to seek to create tranquillity, where appropriate, recognising that in many areas this will not be feasible or desirable. In considering any change/development, the tranquillity mapping can be interrogated to provide the following information:

• Is the proposal in an area of very low/no tranquillity (Zone 5)?
• Can any changes be made to mitigate existing negative indicators of tranquillity?
• Does the proposal extend or introduce any further negative effects on tranquillity?
• Are there opportunities for the development to (re) create positive aspects of tranquillity?

Where possible, consideration should be given to reducing and mitigating the existing negative indicators of tranquillity, as well as looking into opportunities to create new positive indicators of tranquillity as part of the new development. However, it is recognised that concentration of activities in areas of low tranquillity is often appropriate and creation of tranquillity in these areas would bring few benefits or would likely not be achievable.

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Protect, Enhance and Create Tranquillity: Key Considerations

The following sections set out the key considerations relevant to the protection, enhancement and creation of the positive indicators of tranquillity (P01-P10) that were used to develop the tranquillity assessment in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Districts.

Positive Indicators of Tranquillity

P01: Naturalness of the land cover/P09: Seeing natural designations

Protect and Enhance

• Avoid any development that disrupts areas of natural landcover (woodland, undeveloped valleys, semi natural grassland or views across areas of natural landcover).
• Retain/avoid blocking views in relation to key natural landscape elements e.g. out from the vales to the higher elevated chalk landscapes of the North Wessex Downs and Chilterns National Landscapes, the Sinodun Hills/Wittenham Clumps and the Corallian Ridge which form important features in views from the flatter vale landscape.
• Consider aspects of design including colour and reflectivity to reduce visual prominence of the development and blend with natural landscape/skyscape backdrop.

Create

• Create areas of natural land cover – meadows and mini woodlands, scrub as part of green infrastructure integral to development.
• Create sense of natural open spaces and connections – avoid hemming in access/rights of way between development such as fences which reduce sense of naturalness.

P02: Seeing rivers and canals/ P03: Seeing lakes

Protect and Enhance

• Avoid any development that disrupts views or experience of areas of water. Ensure development does not block (physically or visually) public access to watercourses/river sides.
• Ensure development conserves water quality and maintains water flows.
• Seek to restore natural water courses.
• Maintain and enhance riverside access to provide continuous experience of water such as along the Thames path.

Create

• Consider opportunities for providing areas of water within development, including as part of SUDS schemes, mini ponds and water features.
• Include calm natural spaces where people can experience and enjoy proximity to water.
• Create new opportunities/rights of ways links to access water.

P04: Seeing broadleaved woodland above 2.5 ha/ P05: Seeing plantation/coniferous woodland above 2.5 ha

Protect and Enhance

• Conserve existing trees, notably mature and older specimens.
• Maintain views and access to natural element such as woodlands.
• Augment existing woodland cover including opportunities for connecting existing woodland habitats.

Create

• Create small areas of broadleaved woodland, hedgerows and scrub as part of green infrastructure within developments.
• Consider opportunities for larger scale woodland and tree planting as part of land use change targets towards net zero carbon. New accessible woodlands around settlements are a key opportunity.
• Encourage change from coniferous plantations to mixed native woodlands to allow cropping to be undertaken with less visual impact to the wider landscape.

P06: Seeing the stars at night

Protect and Enhance

• Conserve dark skies where they exist and avoid new lighting influences within or close to those areas where dark skies are a feature.
• Pay attention to lighting design to maintain dark skies. Please refer to the Dark Skies Assessment and Lighting Guidance Report (requirement 1 for this project) User guidance chapter for further details on protecting and enhancing dark skies, such as incorporating a lighting control system and implementing an adaptive dimming strategy.

Create

• Seek to recreate areas of dark skies by reducing lighting. The South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Dark Skies Assessment and Lighting Guidance Report (requirement 1 for this project) User guidance chapter provides further details on measures to create dark skies.

P07: Hearing nature

Protect and Enhance

• Maintain scrub, mature trees, hedgerows and meadows that provide habitats for birds.
• Seek to link and connect habitats for example creation of new native woodland and hedgerows around new developments.

Create

• Provide a range of fruit, berry and seed-bearing plants, shrubs and trees to attract birds.
• Use hedges to link and connect to adjacent wooded habitats.
• Specify sustainable grounds maintenance contracts limiting use of herbicides and other chemicals to maintain a healthy biodiversity/food cycle, retain seed heads and berries, etc.

P08: Seeing elevated areas

Protect and Enhance

• Conserve views, particularly views to and across open spaces. This is a key consideration in relation to views from highpoints in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Districts such as along the elevated scarps of the National Landscapes as experienced from along the Ridgeway National Trail and at key locations such as Watlington Hill, Devils Punchbowl, Uffington Castle and Wayland Smith, as well as outlying chalk hills such at the Sinodun Hills (Wittenham Clumps), and local view points along the Corallian Ridge. While the tranquil high spots themselves may not be threatened, the sense of tranquillity could change by unsympathetic development in the wider setting.
• Consider opportunities for enhancing views for example by removing or screening detracting elements.

Create

• Avoid hard urban style boundaries in rural locations, limit signage and other streetscape ‘clutter’. Create calm, legible environments.
• Create visible open spaces within development in views for example along streets. Ensure that green infrastructure is integrated into development to provide maximum benefit for users and offers opportunities to experience a sense of tranquillity, for instance avoid sources of noise such as roads, or encourage natural sound sources such as bird song.
• Consider opportunities for natural play and use of natural materials/nature in GBI open space, in contrast to areas of more formal play.

P10: Seeing time depth

Protect and Enhance

• Avoid development that disrupts views or experience of parks and gardens, scheduled monuments and non-designated historic landscape features

Create

• Create new opportunities/rights of ways links to access or interpret these designations.

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Reduce and mitigate effects on tranquility: key considerations

The following sections set out the key considerations relevant to the reduction and mitigation of negative indicators of tranquillity (N01-N11) that were used to develop the tranquillity assessment in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Districts.

Negative Indicators of Tranquillity

N01: Seeing settlements

Reduce and Mitigate

• Ensure development edges are well integrated with the surrounding landscape and avoid harsh interfaces such as roads, fencing/boundaries, softening of development breaking up the outline of development and also the roofscapes.
• Seek to create ‘natural’ edges in character with surroundings including opportunities for locally characteristic planting.
• Consider size, scale, height, reflectivity, colour and orientation of bulky large-scale development – to reduce visual prominence.
• For large scale developments, consider opportunities to sink down in the landscape and designs to help blend into landscape context.
• Maintain (avoid blocking) views to characteristic skyline backdrops which are characteristic of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Districts notably the distinctive chalk ridges of the National Landscape scarps.
• In urban areas, consider quieter streets and individual trees, as smaller changes can have a bigger impact towards tranquillity in an urban environment compared to rural areas.

N02: Seeing light pollution

Reduce and Mitigate

• Pay attention to lighting design to limit/reduce light pollution. The South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Dark Skies/Light Impact Assessment (requirement 1 for this project) identifies the darkest areas and supports an understanding of the levels of light pollution across the districts.

N03: Seeing large non-natural infrastructure / N04: Seeing major roads / N06: Seeing minor roads / N08: Seeing railways

Reduce and Mitigate

• While there are limited opportunities for screening, attention to design of ancillary development can help create a more ‘tranquil’ character such as avoiding harsh urban style fencing and security lighting around solar farms/other development, careful location of additional infrastructure.
• Consider opportunities to orientate public open space, routes and views away from intrusive/detracting visual elements.

N05: Hearing major roads / N07: Hearing minor roads / N09: Hearing major railways / N10: Seeing and/or hearing low flying airplanes / N11: Hearing non-natural sounds

Reduce and Mitigate

• Provide tree screening belts, where appropriate. Design planting to achieve acoustic screening.
• Where possible, residential development and outdoor recreational uses should be located away from sources of noise intrusion. Where proximity to noise intrusion cannot be avoided, consider building location, design, orientation and room layout measures to minimise that intrusion (as per section 3 in the ProPG Planning and Noise Supplementary Document 2 Good Acoustic Design, May 2017) [See reference [i]]. Use planting patterns and species that align with local character.
• Avoid introduction of further sources of noise as part of the development.

[i] ProPG Planning and Noise Supplementary Document 2 Good Acoustic Design, May 2017. Available at: https:/www.ioa.org.uk/sites/default/files/14720 ProPG Supplementary 2.pdf