Somerset Landscape Character Assessment

This 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 process for undertaking the study has involved the following key stages:

• Baseline data collection/ collation of mapped data in Geographic Information System (GIS);
• Landscape character boundary classification (see the Landscape Profiles tab for more information);
• Field survey to verify the landscape classification and to check/ identify key characteristics, collecting aesthetic/ perceptual information, take photographs and observe forces for change within the landscape; and
• Draft and final reporting.

The initial desk-based stage involved the collection and collation of a wide range of up to date mapped information to inform the landscape classification and descriptions. Data used within the study is listed under the Glossary and Data Sources tab.

The Landscape Character Assessment is presented by Landscape Character Type (LCT). Each LCT profile begins with a location map which illustrates the extent of the LCT and component Landscape Character Areas (LCAs), followed by a description of its location and defining landscape character (including key characteristics).

The 26 individual LCT profiles are structured as follows:

• Location map and description illustrating the extent of the LCT and its relationship with other LCTs within the district. The location map is shown through an Interactive Map and includes the ability to show other layers related to ecology and natural heritage, historic environment, hydrology, geology and landscape data.
• Representative photographs of the LCT distributed throughout the profile. Additional photographs can be viewed on the Interactive Map (including their location).
• A landscape description, comprising:
  • Key characteristics in bullet point format, providing a summary description of the character of the LCT;
  • A description of the natural influences on the landscape (including geology, landform, and hydrology; land cover; and biodiversity);
  • A description of the cultural influences on the landscape (including land use and time depth; and settlement, infrastructure and recreational provision); and
  • A description of the perceptual influences in the landscape (including visual character, tranquillity and dark skies).
• An evaluation providing a description of what is important in each LCT and why, comprising:
  • Key Sensitivities and Valued Features which identifies the qualities that are particularly valued for their contribution to landscape character (i.e., if any one of these attributes ceased to exist, it would change the character to the detriment of the landscape); and
  • The Changing Landscape which identifies forces that are driving landscape change in the LCT.
• Landscape Guidelines which include landscape strategy guidelines to ensure future change respects the local character. The guidance is arranged under the themes of landscape management and development management. This section has been updated to ensure that the strategic guidance for landscape and development management is relevant and appropriate to the current pressures within each landscape character type.