Landscape Character
The East Midlands has a rich and diverse landscape ranging from the uplands of Derbyshire's Peak District with its expansive gritstone moorland and limestone dales, to the flat and open landscape of the Lincolnshire Fens.
Landscape character is defined as 'a distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of elements in the landscape that makes one landscape different from another, rather than better or worse'. It is an important aspect of the beauty of the English countryside. It is formed from a unique combination of features that have evolved over time. This evolution of landscape character is a complex, subtle process.
The diversity of English landscapes springs from differences in the underlying rocks and soil, from variations in climate and from thousands of years of history in which people have developed different ways of using the land's resources, different customs and different ways of doing, saying and thinking about things.
CPRE wants to ensure that the character of local landscape is at the heart of decisions made about planning, design and development.
We want architecture that draws inspiration from local historic buildings and landscapes, instead of debasing them. We want developments that add to the uniqueness of individual communities instead of destroying them, and sensitive land management that safeguards and enhances distinctive landscape features such as hedgerows, dry stone walls and ancient trees.
We need to understand what makes a sense of place, whether it is the pattern of woods and fields, local building materials or designs, local foods, markets or traditions. These characteristics can be accurately described and then informed judgements can be made in deciding future change.
This process is called Landscape Character Assessment, the most important tool we have for safeguarding countryside character.
Landscape character assessment
Landscape character assessment is a framework for decision-making. It is a two-stage process:
Many local authorities in the East Midlands have prepared a Landscape Character Assessment for their area. See below for details about the East Midlands Regional Landscape Character Assessment.
The European Landscape Convention (ELC) (Florence, 2000), promotes the protection, management and planning of European landscapes and organises European co-operation on landscape issues. It came into effect in the UK in 2007. The fundamental aim of the ELC is to promote the management, protection and planning of all landscape and in doing so achieve aims of maintaining and improving landscape quality.
The Landscape Character Network, an informal network with a dual focus on Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) maintains a database of local character assessments across England.
The East Midlands Regional Plan strengthened the need for landscape character assessment by a new policy for the management and enhancement of the region's landscape. This required Local Authorities to prepare Landscape Character Assessments to inform the preparation of Local Development Frameworks. The Regional Plan was revoked by the new government in June 2010.
One way local people can influence and strengthen this assessment is by producing a Community Landscape Character Statement. The statement describes and champions the special qualities of the local environment. It records the community's views on its future use and management. It can help a community protect and improve the landscape or celebrate its importance.
While Landscape Character Assessments usually describe what makes an area distinctive and why, they do not capture what landscapes mean to local people and how people interact with the land. The purpose of the Community Landscape Character Statement is to do this and provide an opportunity for communities to protect what is valued about their local landscapes.
See also CPRE Leicestershire's detailed webpage on Landscape Character Assessment and landscape campaigns in Leicestershire. In 2010 CPRE Leicestershire ran a successful landscape photography competition, Leicestershire Landscapes Matter, to celebrate and promote the varied and distinctive landscape character of Leicestershire. See some of the winning entries here.
Regional Landscape Character Assessment and Strategy
Natural England has led on a project to produce an East Midlands Regional Landscape Character Assessment (EMRLCA), April 2010, and accompanying strategy. This was one of the main recommendations of an East Midlands Regional Landscape Scoping Study. The EMRLCA aims to increase understanding of the region's varied landscape, by identifying distinctive, rare or special characteristics, and will complement national and local LCAs.
The East Midlands Landscape Partnership (EMLP) comprises members from a wide range of organisations, including CPRE, who are working together to act as a champion for the East Midlands landscape. A key aim of the EMLP is to support the implementation of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) at the regional level. Click here to see the partership's advocacy leaflet.
The East Midlands Woodlands Opportunity Mapping Guidance, April 2010. was informed by the EMRCLA. It provides guidance to help deliver woodland targets and guide planting in the region.
CPRE 2011