wp_5f305v – Fiona Fyfe Associates

Trees in the Landscape: Guidance for enhancing landscape character through appropriate tree planting and management

For Cranborne Chase National Landscape, 2025

Cranborne Chase National Landscape currently contains a wide range of tree/woodland types, including ancient woodland, deciduous plantations, coniferous plantations, ridge-top clumps, ‘hanging’ scarp woodlands, chalk scrub, shelterbelts, hedges, and riparian trees and woodlands. All have a place within the landscape, and their presence makes an important contribution to landscape character. There are also some places where ‘openness’ (i.e. lack of tree cover) is a defining characteristic.

If trees are planted without understanding of landscape character, there is a risk that the existing distinctive patterns and variety of trees in the landscape will be eroded. This project responds to these concerns by enabling future tree planting within Cranborne Chase National Landscape to reflect and enhance the variations in landscape character across the area.

The aim is to steer tree planting towards the most appropriate locations, where it will make the greatest impacts in terms of enhancing landscape character and biodiversity, and where it will not be detrimental to the characteristic sense of openness, to the use of high quality agricultural land for food production, or to ecologically-valuable habitats such as unimproved grassland.

The guidance is presented as a poster, and is informed by the recently-updated Landscape Character Assessment. For each Landscape Character Type it explains the existing characteristic patterns of trees, and the opportunities for sensitive tree planting.

Landscape Character Assessment Update for the Isle of Man

For Isle of Man Government, 2025

The review and update of the Isle of Man Landscape Character Assessment (previously published in 2008) ensures that it remains a robust and up-to-date evidence base, able to support planning policies and inform landscape management. Our work makes the Assessment easier to use through simplification of Landscape Character Types and Areas, and by consolidation of the descriptive material. It looks ahead to the challenges which will be faced in the coming years, including positive and proactive responses to climate change and biodiversity loss, opportunities for supporting recreation, wellbeing and sustainable tourism, and accommodating future needs for housing and infrastructure.

The final result is an easily-readable and practical document which applies an in-depth understanding of the Island’s landscapes to the issues facing the Isle of Man now and in the coming years.

In parallel with the Landscape Character Assessment Update we also reviewed the Isle of Man’s landscape designations, and undertook Settlement Sensitivity Studies.

Jersey Marine Spatial Plan

For Government of Jersey, 2024

Open sea and offshore reefs cover 95% of Jersey’s territory, and are fundamental to the Island’s identity, economy and connectivity. The coast and sea are used for work, transport and leisure, forming an ever-changing backdrop to islanders’ lives. Below the surface is a hidden world of underwater habitats supporting a wealth of marine life, a rich archaeological legacy, and a network of vital submarine cables. The vitality of Jersey is intrinsically linked to the health of its seas, but this is under pressure from climate change and human activities.

The vision of the JMSP is for a thriving marine environment providing environmental, economic, cultural and social benefits. It presents a strategic framework for managing Jersey’s coasts and seas in a coordinated manner which enables them to thrive. This includes expansion of Marine Protected Areas towards 2030 ’30 by 30’ targets.

Preparation of the JMSP has involved close collaboration with a diverse range of local marine experts including fishers, recreational users, archaeologists, engineers, business owners, port authorities and conservation bodies, as well as extensive consultation with Jersey’s wider public. Through the JMSP, we have put into practice the principle that, despite people’s different priorities and points of view, ultimately everyone wants to see Jersey’s seas thriving and delivering benefits for people and for nature. The result is an innovative and engaging Plan which gives a voice to the wide-ranging concerns and aspirations of the local community, and addresses complex issues in a collaborative way.

The JMSP was led and written by Fiona Fyfe Associates, using data provided by Government of Jersey and with input from many locally-based specialists. Countryscape provided GIS and graphics expertise, and Karin Taylor advised on planning matters.

The document and poster map can be downloaded here:

https://www.gov.je/Environment/SeaCoast/pages/marinespatialplan.aspx#anchor-4

Landscape Character Assessment and Landscape Implementation Plan for Kent Woods and Downs Candidate National Nature Reserve

For Kent Downs National Landscape, 2024

These documents will inform the future work of the candidate National Nature Reserve located in North Kent between (and extending south of) the towns of Gravesend and Strood. The Landscape Character Assessment provides a unified and consistent Landscape Character Assessment across an area which is covered by three different Local Authorities and contains land within and outside the Kent Downs National Landscape. It weaves together the natural and human influences on the landscape to describe its evolution and present-day character.

The Landscape Implementation Plan takes forward landscape enhancement recommendations from the Landscape Character Assessment, explaining how they can be put into practice through the themed strategies being developed for the Candidate National Nature Reserve, namely: Community Consultation; Visitor Access and Engagement; Ecological and Environmental Management; Veteran Trees; Heritage Landscape; Deer Management and Grazing Plan.

View to a Hill

For Quantock Landscape Partnership Scheme, 2023

The setting of the Quantock Hills is an essential part of the Hills’ appeal, but, being outside the National Landscape boundary, its landscape significance has received little attention until now. This community-based project aimed to reconnect communities living in the parishes surrounding the Quantock Hills with their local landscape. Through engagement with local residents it explores the significance of their views towards the Quantock Hills. It provides guidance on how the setting of the Quantock Hills can be maintained and enhanced, and also identifies opportunities to promote recreational opportunities in the more accessible surrounding lowland areas to divert recreational pressures away from hilltop ‘honeypot’ sites.

The project involved a public engagement exercise (online and through questionnaires) to identify people’s favourite views, and the training of a team volunteers to analyse and research these views, and to record them through photographs over the course of a year.

The full report can be read here:

https://qlps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/View-to-a-Hill_Final_Complete_Low-Res.pdf

Jersey Landscape Sensitivity Assessment

For Government of Jersey, 2020

Landscape Sensitivity is a measure of the resilience of a landscape to withstand change arising from development without undue negative effects on the landscape or views.

The methodology for the Jersey Landscape Sensitivity Assessment was in line with the current best practice on landscape sensitivity assessment and also takes into account the particular circumstances, and the landscape and seascape context, of Jersey. The outputs of the Assessment were used by the Government of Jersey to help identify the most appropriate sites for new housing in the Island Plan Review. A list of study areas was provided by the client, including key villages and parts of the island’s urban fringes.

The project used a two-stage methodology. The first stage was a desk-based assessment (confirmed in the field) to identify Local Landscape Units (LLUs) within each study area, primarily based on landscape character. Those LLUs which exhibited sensitive special qualities identified in the Landscape Character Assessment, or which had other heritage or nature conservation sensitivities, were not assessed further.

The LLUs which were considered to have some potential to accommodate residential development without significant adverse landscape or visual impacts were assessed in more detail. For these LLUs, field-based analysis was undertaken, and tabulated sensitivity ratings provided on a 5-point scale from low to high. Recommendations for mitigation and enhancement measures were also provided for each study area, reflecting local landscape and settlement character.

North York Moors National Park Landscape Character Assessment Update

For North York Moors National Park Authority, 2021

The North York Moors National Park contains an outstanding diversity of landscapes and seascapes. Its expansive heather moorland, spectacular coastline, intimate dales, picturesque settlements, rich woodlands, varied farmlands and magnificent views are very highly valued by residents and visitors.

We undertook a comprehensive review of the 2003 Landscape Character Assessment to bring it up to date and able to address today’s challenges. This included an emphasis on measures to pro-actively address the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises whilst enhancing landscape character. We incorporated current best-practice relating to Seascape Character Assessment, and identified new landscape Types and Areas along the coast. We integrated new concepts such as natural capital and ecosystem services into the Landscape Character Assessment, along with new information on remoteness, tranquillity and dark skies. The updated Landscape Character Assessment now provides comprehensive information on the natural, cultural and perceptual qualities of landscape within the National Park, and on the vital role played by its landscape and seascape setting.

North York Moors Settlement Sensitivity Studies

For North York Moors National Park Authority, 2021

This project was undertaken in conjunction with the North York Moors Landscape Character Assessment Update. Its purpose was to identify the key sensitivities associated with each of the 16 ‘Larger Villages’ within the National Park, plus the town of Helmsley. It is in these places where small-scale development (such as affordable housing schemes) is most likely to be located.

A settlement’s character and ‘sense of place’ can be eroded by development which does not respect its form, landscape setting, distinctive features or views. Therefore by identifying and protecting the sensitive features of each settlement, future development can be incorporated in a way which does not damage the settlement’s unique character or sense of place, and will also be sensitive to the landscape in which the settlement is situated.

The settlements studied include towns and villages with coastal, farmland, moorland, historic parkland and woodland settings. Desk studies and fieldwork were undertaken to understand settlements’ landscape context, form, character, approaches and gateways, edges, and visual relationship with their surrounding landscape.

Right Tree Right Place: A Landscape Approach

Fiona Fyfe Associates with Dominica Williamson for Devon County Council

This ongoing project provides guidance for those wishing to plant trees in Devon. Devon County Council is keen to meet sustainability targets and enhance biodiversity through tree planting, but also needs to ensure that the newly-planted trees respect and enhance landscape character, and are not detrimental to existing ecological and heritage assets. This publication takes key messages relating to tree planting and landscape character from a wide variety of sources, including the Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust, Devon Environment Viewer and the Devon-wide Landscape Character Assessment. It provides guidance to ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place, and that local variations in landscape character are sustained and enhanced through appropriate tree planting.

Jersey Coastal National Park Boundary Review

Fiona Fyfe Associates with Karin Taylor and Countryscape for Government of Jersey (2020)

This innovative project helps the Government of Jersey achieve its ambition for a unique National Park which extends both inland and out to sea, encompassing terrestrial, intertidal and marine areas.

A project-specific methodology was developed based on the existing Natural England methodology for designating Protected Landscapes, but tailored for application in Jersey’s unique island environment. The criteria for inclusion within the Jersey Coastal National Park work equally well for land and marine areas.

In addition to extending the National Park offshore, the recommended Coastal National Park boundary also aims to ensure that the coastline and its inland and seaward setting are appropriately protected, and provides a clear, consistent and unambiguous boundary for the National Park. It also reflects the updated landscape and seascape typology provided in the Jersey Integrated Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment (Fiona Fyfe Associates 2020).