Landscape Capacity Study

Gauging the Landscape Capacity of a Development Site

Whether it’s developers, planners or the local authorities, a new development cannot be proposed until there is an understanding around how much the planning project is likely to affect the landscape, as well as the expected amount of change and just how much of it the landscape can handle.

Between work affecting a housing allocation, a solar farm or a new road, a landscape capacity study will be effective in providing clear evidence about the areas that are considered the most and least suitable for the development to take place. It takes into account the type and character of the landscape and potential visual impacts to inform planning decisions. By choosing this option, developers can be seen to support good design, relevant policies and long-term landscape protection.

What is a Landscape Capacity Study?

Also sometimes known as a landscape capacity assessment, a landscape capacity study is a type of structured examination that works out how much development a specific landscape can take without losing its character, value or visual integrity.

The character areas, landform, vegetation and views identified and mapped during a landscape survey can be built on with a landscape capacity study, opening up insight into how and where a development could fit into the location.

For understanding the suitability of land for energy projects, housing and infrastructure, landscape capacity studies can be essential, and the results will help in complying with land promotion strategies, local plans and planning conditions.

Capacity studies also help in describing character types and describing variation across a site, offering more precision than broader surveys. The studies build on the unique combination of landform, vegetation and views that make each landscape type distinctive, helping planners recognise the landscape’s distinctive qualities and set appropriate limits on change.

Relationship with a Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Assessment

Due to the similar naming of the two services, a landscape capacity study can often be confused with a landscape sensitivity and capacity assessment (LSCA). Although both are similar, each of them offers a different purpose.

A landscape capacity study follows a sensitivity assessment to target the amount of development a landscape can take, whereas an LSCA appears early in the development process to target the location’s sensitivity and capacity for change.

An LSCA will generally check the impact on an area as a precaution – particularly if the planning project is expected to harm greenfield or brownfield land – but it could be that a landscape capacity study follows it to add to the retrieved information and help with showing how much and where a development could take place.

Why a Developer Would Need a Landscape Capacity Study

Capacity studies for the landscape are helpful for several reasons, including supporting site selection in choosing the most suitable land for development and providing planning support in offering robust and professional evidence to accompany applications for planning permission.

It also complies with policy-making by informing local plans and green belt reviews, and in the event of any appeals, it can produce expert justification for decisions on development limits and site refusals. Depending on the circumstances, a study could be requested by the local authorities, submitted by developers, or produced by planning consultants as part of a wider strategy for future development or support for planning applications.

Uses for a Landscape Capacity Study

• Analysis of Visual Impacts and Significant Effects for Sensitive or High-Profile Development Proposals
• Assessment of the Impact of Renewable Energy Developments
• Confirmation of Development Limits Near Protected Landscapes
• Housing and Employment Site Allocations in Local Plans
• Inspection of Potential Housing Locations Within Identified Character Types
• Protection of Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) from Inappropriate Development Proposals
• Review of Settlement Boundaries and Green Belt Edges
• Support of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)

Methodology and Guidelines

Following early work on the development site – such as a landscape character assessment or a broader form of landscape assessment – a landscape capacity study can determine how much of the landscape can be changed.

It is a process commonly used by local authorities and consultants, even in sensitive areas like the South Downs National Park in South East England, where the development needs must be carefully balanced with landscape protection.

Stages in the Study Process

Steps in the landscape capacity assessment or study process include:

1. Desk-Based Review

• Analysing relevant local development plans, national guidance and planning policies
• Studying land cover, planning designations, topography and visibility

2. Fieldwork and Observation

• Creating site photos and notes to support capacity judgements
• Recording on-site access routes, key views, land use, perceptual qualities and vegetation

3. Landscape Character Analysis

• Examining distinctiveness, unity and sensitivity to land use change
• Identifying and defining landscape character areas

4. Capacity Evaluation

• Gauging whether the location can accommodate change with or without mitigation
• Noting common outcomes from low, moderate or high capacity scores
• Rating each area based on how much development it can absorb

5. Reporting and Mapping

• Concluding on the outcomes and aligning them with character studies and planning policy references
• Making clear maps and visual outputs to present capacity across the area

Mapping and Characterisation

As mentioned in the final stage of the process, mapping is a fundamental component in completing a sufficiently detailed assessment and study.

The chosen area will be divided into separate character units or parcels, often with guidance from an existing landscape character assessment or bespoke fieldwork.

With GIS tools and field analysis, each area is mapped according to development potential, visual sensitivity and overall landscape strength. It is then colour-coded by layers to show where a housing development or infrastructure project may be suitable, as well as where the landscape should remain unchanged.

Compliance with Relevant Regulators

For a landscape capacity study to be reliable and trustworthy in the eyes of the local authorities, it needs to fall in line with national guidance and local planning frameworks.

Important areas to remain compliant with include existing design and access statements, local development plans, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and protected landscape policy, especially in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) or National Parks. The study must account for significant effects, visual impacts, and how well the development fits within the existing landscape type.

All of the studies, assessments and surveys undertaken by Arbtech follow the stipulations and requirements of relevant regulators and organisations. Doing this ensures that any landscape capacity assessment we produce stands up to scrutiny during planning inquiries and supports high-quality planning applications.

Arrange a Landscape Capacity Study

Whether you’re preparing development proposals, seeking permission for potential housing or responding to concerns from local authorities, our expert team can guide you through every stage of your study by putting you in touch with an external company we outsource to for landscape surveys. We’ll provide more detail than generic reports, focusing on the landscape and visual character, describing variation between sites, and identifying the significant effects of the proposal.

Our assessments and the services of any associated businesses will be tailored to your specific landscape type and ensure your project reflects and protects the character of the landscape. Contact us today to begin a landscape capacity study that supports your future development while aligning with planning policies and environmental priorities, and our team will provide you with a free quote based on your site’s details.