The answers are in a new guide on carrying out Landscape Character Assessments published today (24 April 2002) by the Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.
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Do you know your character? – 24 April 2002

Can you tell a chalk downland from an alluvial river terrace? How can you assess what the potential threats are to our countryside? How can shape new development to respect countryside character? The answers are in a new guide on carrying out Landscape Character Assessments published today by the Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Landscape Character Assessment is an essential tool to help planners and policy makers set the right conditions for new development The guidance shows how to identify and express the different elements, such as countryside features, building styles and historic artefacts, which give a place its character and makes it distinct from its neighbouring areas. 

Announcing the new guidance, Countryside Agency chief executive Richard Wakeford said: “The landscape is at the heart of our countryside, but it is not a static thing. It changes with the changing needs of people who live there, work there or enjoy the countryside. The Landscape Character Assessment guidance contains the latest thinking on the subject, and it will provide invaluable advice to policy makers and planners alike on identifying countryside character and understanding what makes each place unique.”

Scottish Natural Heritage Chief Executive Ian Jardine stated: “Using this guidance can help people ensure that change in the landscape is for the better - it will help people make informed judgements about development, and about ways in which the countryside can be sensitively managed.”

The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage are running workshops in June and September to brief practitioners on Landscape Character Assessment In England a network of practitioners has been formed to oversee the use of Landscape Character Assessment and provide training events and newsletters.  

Landscape Character Assessment. Guidance for England and Scotland  is free, please call 0879 120 6466 for a copy (quote ref CAX 84) or it can be accessed on the web at www.countryside.gov.uk

Notes for editors:

For further information please contact George Anderson, Press and PR Manager, Scottish Natural Heritage on 0131 446 2273 or the Countryside Agency press office on 020 7340 2907 

1. The Countryside Agency is responsible for advising government and taking action on issues affecting the social, economic and environmental well being of the English countryside.

2. SNH is the Scottish Executive's statutory advisor on the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of Scotland's natural heritage.

3. The guidance complements a recent publication produced on this subject for the consultants and developers who undertake Environmental Impact Assessments: Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Assessment Second Edition produced by the Landscape Institute with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment; Published by Spon Press.