Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)

Last updated: November 2024

Author: Rob Lambert

Editor at Arbtech, Rob is a content specialist who manages our ecology and arboriculture services copy to ensure it is accurate, up to date, and insightful for current and future clients.

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments

Certain development types can significantly change the landscape character of the present area. It is expected that – particularly in large-scale new developments – the existing landscape could be drastically altered, potentially infringing on valuable cultural or heritage sites.

Whenever the key landscape has the potential to be disrupted, we would recommend that developers arrange a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) of the proposed development site to avoid undermining the regulations of the local council and prevent any issues with planning applications.

What is an LVIA?

Otherwise known as a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment or simply a Landscape Visual Assessment, a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is an exercise used in new developments to gauge the predicted negative impacts on the existing landscape and the surrounding landscape following completion of the proposed development.

In a landscape and visual assessment, various factors that could affect the appearance of the chosen location will be taken into consideration. Based on the results of the LVIA, the outcome could play a role in creating the finalised design of the project, seeing planning applications submitted to the local planning authority accepted, and protecting any key landscape considered culturally important.

When is a Landscape Visual Impact Assessment Required?

The use of an LVIA may be applicable if the planning project in question has the ability to cause a land-use or landscape change, or if it could alter the aesthetic appearance of the environment.

It is also common for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to go hand in hand with landscape visual impact assessments on different development types, such as energy developments, large infrastructure projects or major residential schemes. By combining an EIA development with an LVIA, landscape and visual effects can be integrated into the decision-making process.

Applicable Development Projects

A landscape and visual impact assessment could also be necessary during developments involving:

LVIA Legislation

Multiple pieces of legislation, planning policies and regulations are related to and/or affected by landscape visual assessments, including:

• The Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000
• The European Landscape Convention (ELC)
• The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
• The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
• The Natural Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006
• The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990
• The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
• Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)
• The Town and Country Planning Act 1990
• The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017
• UNESCO World Heritage Site Protections
• The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

LVIA in Planning

At any point that a development has the potential to harm the landscape character or the general visual appearance of an area, an LVIA can help and benefit the wider planning process. It does this by enhancing the skills of decision-makers through assessing, merging and mitigating all possible consequences on the landscape as a result of a planning project.

Most importantly, the resulting data from a landscape visual impact assessment will simplify a planning application by making sufficient information available to the local council. It also analyses cumulative impacts, encourages consultation and engagement from the general public, increases the likelihood of remaining compliant, promotes sustainable development, and safeguards protected areas.

LVIA Services

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

An LVIA assessment will typically involve two separate sections, starting with a landscape impact assessment and leading into a visual impact assessment. In the first part, the land surveyor will evaluate how the proposed development could change the characteristics, patterns and qualities of the landscape, such as bodies of water, cultural and historical features, landforms and vegetation.

The second part focuses more on the visual effects experienced by people in the local vicinity, both in terms of visitors and inhabitants of the area. At this point, the land surveyor will question who is likely to come into contact with the area in the future, what the chosen location will look like upon completion of the development, and what the level of impact will be from the planning project.

Landscape Visual Impact Assessment Report

As with all supporting documentation provided to support planning, an LVIA report includes several different components, each helping to create a picture of the situation for the local planning authority and enable the proposed development to continue. Specifically looking at the report on landscape character, features include a breakdown of the landscape and visual effects of the project, mitigation measures to ease any negative impacts, and conclusions provided by the land surveyor.

The conclusion of a landscape and visual impact assessment report will explain what changes can be initiated to satisfy the requirements of the local authorities, and with that, the planning officer should have everything they need to make a grounded decision when it comes to granting or rejecting planning consent on the site. Providing all considerations have been covered and the necessary changes have been carried out, planning applications shouldn’t be challenged any further.

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Methodology

Although attributes from other land surveys are often applicable to a land and visual impact assessment (LVIA), there are certain characteristics that make them separate and unique. In the section below, Arbtech explains more about how visual impact assessments are undertaken, noting specific details in the survey process and the guidelines set by relevant regulators.

LVIA Process

Photography and Photomontage in Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

A key part of the landscape and visual impact assessment process is the use of photography and photomontage to demonstrate how the development will appear from each viewpoint. Results from recording the perspective of different areas across the surrounding landscape could then go on to benefit planners, stakeholders and the general public with the visual effects of the project.

Instead of merely predicting the potential negative impacts on the aesthetics of a visual landscape caused by new developments, photography and photomontage will paint a realistic interpretation of the end result. For instance, the land surveyor can use photos to outline nearby public areas, residences and sites with cultural or heritage value and the visual effects of the new infrastructure. The land consultant can then superimpose the completed development onto the images, showing the change in appearance with it added and allowing for a side-by-side comparison with the original images.

Guidelines for a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

Ensuring accuracy, consistency and transparency with the results of landscape and visual impact assessments is only possible by following specific guidelines and referring back to the instructions of suitable regulators and organisations.

First and foremost, the LVIA guidelines are based on the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA) published by the Landscape Institute in collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

Seeking LVIA Guidance

If your planning project could infringe on existing landscape character or fits into the category of development types that are expected to affect the present or surrounding landscape such as the creation of highways, power stations or wind farms, it would be advisable to reach out to qualified landscape professionals for landscape and visual impact assessment guidance.

Building on our experience as a trusted source of arboricultural and ecological survey services, Arbtech also offers guidance for landscape and visual impact assessment services. If you want more information on the cost of an inspection, the consultants in charge of the process and the methods of speaking to our team, check out the section below.

Landscape Visual Impact Assessment Cost

Due to the massively varying nature of development sites, the landscape visual impact assessment cost will always range from client to client. Factors that could affect the LVIA cost include the complexity of the landscape, cost of accompanying mitigation and compensation measures, level of necessary fieldwork, number of possible viewpoints, scale of the project and size of the development site.

Based on the information you provide to us and the development types involved in your project, we can then distinguish how much it would cost to conduct an inspection of the landscape and visual impact. We start with a baseline cost and only add on what we need to as a result of the size and scale of the proposed development, as well as any indication of the important factors listed above.

LVIA Consultants

For a visual impact assessment, landscape professionals are required, as the survey process involves an understanding of multiple important disciplines. In addition to being experienced in carrying out assessments, an LVIA specialist would usually be accredited by the Landscape Institute and hold a current understanding of the latest technologies and methodologies.

We can refer you to trusted landscape and visual impact assessment consultants who can act as reliable decision-makers during an inspection of your development site. Each member will follow sufficient guidelines for landscape and visual effects, and with experience catering to the various needs of clients, you should come away with an LVIA report capable of addressing any issues and backing your application for planning permission.

Prearrange Your Landscape Visual Impact Assessment

Even if you’re unsure if the planned landscape change in your project is enough to warrant a landscape visual assessment, speaking to the team at Arbtech can ease any qualms, and if necessary, schedule the survey at a time that suits your plans. Receive a quote for an LVIA on your development site by completing a quote form online, calling us or emailing us and giving us your details.

After a visual impact assessment, landscape character will be fully analysed, leading to an LVIA report designed to work with any and all issues, as well as simplifying the planning application. We will ensure that it is fully intact and ready to go, giving you the freedom to pass it on to your local authority and immediately support your efforts to secure a successful planning condition.