LANDSCAPE VISUAL APPRAISALS (LVA)​​​
Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA)
Purpose:
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An informal, proportionate assessment of the likely landscape and visual effects of a proposal.
When used:
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For smaller projects (e.g. small housing schemes, farm buildings, barn conversions, telecoms masts, solar panels, extensions to existing developments).
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Where a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is not required.
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Typically for planning applications where the local authority still needs an assessment of visual/landscape effects, but a full LVIA would be excessive.
Level of detail:
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Less technical and less prescriptive.
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Proportionate to the scale and sensitivity of the site.
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Usually involves a desk study + site visit + representative viewpoints with a written appraisal.
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Guidance: No formal methodology is mandated, but best practice follows principles from the GLVIA3 (Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, 3rd ed., Landscape Institute & IEMA).
LANDSCAPE VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (LVIA)
Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) - We will be offering this service in the near future.
Purpose:
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A formal, technical assessment of the potential landscape and visual effects of a development.
When used:
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Where a project is subject to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations.
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Often required for large-scale developments such as major housing schemes, infrastructure (roads, wind farms, power stations), or mineral/waste developments.
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Sometimes requested by LPAs even where EIA is not triggered, if landscape/visual impact is expected to be a significant issue.
Level of detail:
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Highly structured methodology (GLVIA3).
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Involves baseline studies, sensitivity assessments, magnitude of change evaluations, significance of effect matrices.
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Typically supported by verified photomontages, ZTVs (Zones of Theoretical Visibility), cross-sections, and technical appendices.
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Must stand up to legal and public inquiry scrutiny.