10 C O N T E X T 1 1 5 : J U LY 2 0 1 0 objective and subjective judgements, so it is particularly important for any professional to demonstrate transparency and consistency.The subjective nature of the landscape professional’s work often arouses public disquiet or the formal challenge of other professionals in relation to a specific opinion about value, sensitivity and magnitude of change. Ultimately it is human nature to value what is considered as territory (such as a garden space or rear-window views) and to uplift the associated sensitivity attributed to it. It is shown that the most emotive of objection to development is linked to historical views, where a particular sense of place is evident or where a scene evokes strong childhood memories. Unfortunately many of these view scenarios are of local importance, and do not trigger policy protection. There is no fundamental right to protect a view cherished by an individual or group of people. However, the assessment process must recognise that any change in the landscape can have a direct and immediately apparent effect on people’s surroundings. It is therefore necessary to identify the landscape components that are valued by the community or society as a whole, why and how they are valued and, where possible, to identify the people to whom they are valuable. Landscapes may also have value because of the function they perform, regardless of the character of the landscape. For example, urban fringe landscapes that are considered of poor condition and of no special interest may be highly valued locally because they are accessible to people, and represent a scarce landscape and visual resource in that particular area. Landscape and visual assessments are separate in terms of process and consideration. Landscape effects derive from changes in the physical character of the landscape and how it is experienced. The description and analysis of effects on a landscape resource relies on the adoption of certain basic principles about positive (or beneficial) and negative (or adverse) effects of change on the landscape. Due to the inherently dynamic nature of the landscape, change arising from a development may not necessarily be significant 4. Visual effects relate to changes that arise in the composition of available views as a result of changes to the landscape, to people’s responses to the changes, and the overall effects with respect to visual amenity. The sensitivity of the landscape is reflected in the degree to which a landscape is able to accommodate without adverse effects on its character 5. This will be influenced by the extent of existing or new landform, and existing or new vegetation distribution. These factors determine the visibility of the proposed development, and influence the extent of its effect on the perceived character and visual amenity of the surrounding landscape. Landscapes will vary greatly in their capacity to accommodate different forms of development. The sensitivity of the landscape will vary according to the existing condition of the landscape, the nature of the proposed development and the type of change being considered. The capacity of the landscape to absorb change is quite different to the importance or value of the landscape. Such considerations are handled separately as part of the assessment process. There are currently several limitations to the landscape and visual impact assessment process. There is a lack of focused townscape guidance for the consideration of developments in an urban context. There is also little evidence to suggest that the current structured assessment approach has succeeded in improving or preserving the visual quality, or ameliorating the potential intrusion of new development in the landscape 6. There is a divergence of opinion over the question of whether landscapes have an intrinsic or objective beauty which may in some way be measurable or comparable, or whether scenic beauty is a value that can be subjectively attributed only to an area or specific landscape 7. At present, most professionals ensure that the analysis of landscape value or importance reflects the value of the landscape at a specific scale, to identify the group to which it is important and to explain why. To distinguish importance at different scales means recognising that some landscape features are locally abundant, but may be nationally or internationally scarce, or nationally abundant but locally scarce. Current guidance on the assessment of landscape importance puts weight on the consideration of policy and designations as a way of indicating value. It is common to determine whether a landscape has a designated national, regional or local-level value. But there is often no recognition that the particular characteristics of a designated landscape will alter in quality and formation throughout that designated area. Better judgement is required to determine whether a site is special, distinctive, representative or includes characteristic features, in order to assess how a development could affect the designation and the amenity of associated visual receptors. In terms of considering the urban environment, landscape professionals must consider the historical and cultural associations that contribute to the character and importance of a landscape. There are numerous inter-relationships between landscape and cultural heritage. These should not be overlooked. Historic landscapes can include registered gardens, battlefields, and the statutory settings of 4 The Landscape Institute with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (2002) op cit 5 Swanwick, C, Department of Landscape, University of Sheffield and Land Use Consultants (2002) Landscape Character Assessment: guidance for England and Scotland, Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage 6 The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (2010)Task Three:VIA review paper 7 Shuttleworth, S (1983) ‘Upland Landscapes and Landscape Image’, Journal of the Landscape Research Group,Vol 8, issue 3, Routledge The demolition of a mill on the urban fringe of Bury raises the question of whether the redevelopment will improve the amenity of the landscape or threaten the open views currently enjoyed by adjoining residents.
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