The River Caen in North Devon, near Velator Quay. © LUC
The database offers a single resource for the landscape profession and all other professions who may use landscape character data now and in the future. It provides a starting point for the sector. Follow the link below to view the resource, which includes links to all available landscape character information for the UK and Ireland.
What does the database provide?
The database includes information such as the scale of assessment, publishing authority, author, format of data and date of last update and is organised into the various Landscape Institute branch regions. The database captures published Landscape Character Assessments at all levels from local, sometimes associated with a Neighbourhood Development Plan, through to regional.
Background
According to Natural England, the definition of a Landscape Character Assessment is the process of identifying and describing variation in character of the landscape. These documents identify and explain the unique combination of elements and features that make landscapes distinctive by mapping and describing character types and areas.
In December 2020, the Landscape Institute Spatial Data Group initiated a project to review publicly available landscape character assessment information and to provide a single resource that will be of benefit to many environmental professionals.
The project prompted interest from approximately 30 volunteers in several different practices across the UK and was supported by public bodies that share in the knowledge of the benefits this resource will provide. This project included a consultation period (1st March 2022 – 20th June 2022) where Landscape Institute members, local authorities and stakeholders were invited to feedback and contribute further to this resource.
With thanks
Our thanks to Charlotte Williams (AECOM), Jon Dix and Chris Bolton from Natural England, Laura Campbell from NatureScot, John Briggs from Natural Resources Wales, Tony Williams from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Mike Shilton from Transoft Solutions and Neil Rainey (DAERA NIEA).
Next steps
The database will need to reflect regular updates to landscape character assessments and movement on the host authority websites. The LI have put a plan in place to periodically update the database. As part of future planning there are aspirations to create a collated visual resource with all the assessment data on a map.
Feedback
Your feedback and updates are critical for the success of this database so please find below a response feedback form to make us aware if you identify broken links and/or new landscape character assessments to be added. We would also like to hear from you if you or your practice has digitised the data yourself or have acquired it if not publicly available. Information and any other thoughts would be useful for the next stage of the project.
