Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
Page 1 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]
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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.’
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
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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
Stage 1 - Local Landscape Character Assessment Guidance (LLCA)
Page 17 of 17 © Cornwall Council – January 2016
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
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