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Understanding the impacts a development may have on the townscape, landscape or visual baseline.

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is the process of evaluating the effect of a proposal upon the landscape. There is an important distinction between visual effects (the human view or perception) and the landscape effects (which occur whether or not anyone can see them).

LVIA – Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment

A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment identifies and assess the significance of the effects of change caused by a development on the landscape as an environmental resource as well as views and visual amenity. Where seascape is affected, this may be referred to as a Seascape, Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (SLVIA).

 

TVIA – Townscape & Visual Impact Assessment

Appearance and location are vital considerations in ensuring a successful new urban development. We have significant experience in reviewing and assessing new development in the urban context. We have worked extensively in Liverpool on developments adjacent the the UNESCO World Heritage Site and other internationally significant designations.

 

Do I need an Assessment or an Appraisal?

In all cases the purpose of a landscape assessment is to assess the effects of change. However, the form of the assessment to be undertaken will depend on the scale and type of the intervention and in the case of development, the associated form that the planning application may take.  Unless there are specific regulatory requirements, the principle of proportionality should apply.
 
We have the capability to complete L/TVIA as part of a formal Environmental Statement, or as a lighter touch appraisal as a stand alone document submitted with a planning application.
 

Using the process as a tool

We only undertake visual and landscape appraisal projects where there is opportunity for the process to be used as a tool to shape and guide the development. Early establishment of potential viewpoints and engagement with the architect and design team are paramount to ensure the proposals evolve with the impact on the landscape and visual effects being considered as part of the process. We don’t work on L/TVIA projects where the tool is used as a justify the development after the design is fixed.

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