Author: wp_5f305v

Landscape Connections and Perceptions — A Cornish Pilot Study

Fiona Fyfe Associates with Plymouth University (2015)

This European Social Fund project is being undertaken with Plymouth University. It is a research-based pilot project based in four contrasting landscapes around Cornwall. The aims of the project are:

  • To ascertain differences in how rural landscapes are perceived within the rural landscapes themselves and in neighbouring towns.
  • To understand the barriers which prevent residents accessing local landscapes.
  • To make recommendations on how these barriers can be overcome to create positive social and health benefits.
  • To investigate differences in people’s perceptions of different landscape types.
  • To find the locations of people’s favourite views, and why they are popular.

Devon Advice Note on using Landscape Character Assessment in Neighbourhood Plans

For Devon County Council (2015)

This document is aimed at members of the public who do not currently have technical knowledge of the landscape assessment process, but wish to use existing Landscape Character Assessments in the production of Neighbourhood Plans. It introduces the concept of landscape character assessment, and demonstrates how local communities can use Landscape Character Assessments to enhance their local environment, and to positively shape the places where they live.

The Advice Note has been adapted for use by Cranborne Chase AONB, and also by the CPRE in their nationally-applicable publication What’s Special to you: Landscape Issues in your Neighbourhood Plans, July 2017. The Devon Advice Note was Commended in the SW RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2017.

 

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Medway Valley Strategic Landscape Enhancement Plan

With Robin Lines Landscape (2015)

Published Report

The study area for this project is the Valley of the river Medway through Maidstone, and continuing for approximately 10km to the south-west. The project was commissioned by Kent County Council and uses landscape as a common thread to tie together cross-disciplinary aspirations and aims. It knits together wide-ranging disparate documents (for example Green Infrastructure Strategies, Biodiversity Action Plans, Local Planning Policies, Landscape Character Assessments, etc.) and presents clear and practical measures for putting their aspirations into practice. The report contains a short history of the Medway Valley, a summary of the available evidence base, and a series of practical opportunities for enhancement divided into five key themes: Biodiversity; the historic environment; farming and land management; recreation and access, and recent and future development. The report was informed by consultation with local people and professionals working in the area. It is a well-illustrated and easy to read document, aimed at developers, land managers, parish councils responding to planning applications, and other organisations working in the Medway Valley such as the Environment Agency.

Landscape Character Assessment for the Isle of Axholme and Hatfield Chase Landscape Partnership

With Countryscape and Steven Warnock (2014)

Published Report

This document will be submitted as part of the client’s Second Round submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The study area contains several rare and valuable ecological and cultural landscapes, including England’s largest areas of lowland raised mire, some of the most extensive surviving medieval strip field systems in the country, and the first landscapes in Britain to be drained by Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden in the 1620s. However, the richness of the area’s landscapes is not well-known or appreciated locally or more widely. This Landscape Character Assessment tells the story of the area’s landscapes from geological times to the present day, and identifies and describes the distinct Landscape Character Areas within the study area. It also makes recommendations for landscape-based projects which could be taken forward by the Landscape Partnership to enhance the area’s distinctive landscapes, to encourage local people to engage with the landscapes on their doorstep, and to increase wider awareness of the area.

Dartmoor Historic Environment Character Assessment

With University of Leicester Archaeological Services and Countryscape (2014)

Dartmoor has a rich and multi-layered historic landscape, with extant archaeological features dating from prehistoric to modern periods. This project (commissioned by Dartmoor National Park Authority) developed an innovative methodology to map and describe the various Historic Environment Character Types within the National Park. The draft version of the report contributed to a successful Second-Round Heritage Lottery Fund bid by the Moor Than Meets the Eye Landscape Partnership.

Strategic Landscape Enhancement Plan for the Darent Valley, Kent

With Sological Solutions and Robin Lines Landscape (2014)

The Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme (LPS) area follows the river Darent from its source springs in the Weald to its confluence with the river Thames near Dartford. This project required the production of a single Landscape Character Assessment for the LPS area, and the identification of a series of Landscape Character Areas which reflect the changing stages of the river and its surroundings. The Plan contains a vision for each Landscape Character Area, and a series of practical project proposals and opportunities to make that vision a reality. The Plan was part of a successful First Round bid for Heritage Lottery Funding under the Landscape Partnership Scheme.

Design of Interpretation Panel for Fair Green, Diss, Norfolk

(2014)

Fiona Fyfe Associates was commissioned by the Fair Green Neighbourhood Association to research and design an interpretation panel to be read by residents and visitors. The panel describes the history of Fair Green, and includes a map showing key buildings and sites of interest. Fiona worked with local artists and historians to produce the panel, which includes text, artwork, cartography and photographs. She created the design using Adobe Create Suite software.

Training in the Methodology and Practical Application of Landscape Character Assessment

Delivered through the ‘Up on the Downs’ Landscape Partnership Scheme, Kent (2014)

Fiona prepared and presented a two-day training course for Local Authority Planning Officers and environment professionals from AONBs, Natural England and other organisations. The course covered a range of topics, including: introduction to landscape character assessment; the methodology for landscape character assessment; the latest guidelines for landscape and visual impact assessment, and using landscape character assessment when responding to planning applications. The course included presentations, practical fieldwork and workshop sessions. Following the course, feedback was very positive, and delegates felt much more confident using landscape character assessment and landscape and visual impact assessment in their daily work.

Northern Ireland Seascape Character Assessment

With Douglas Harman Landscape Planning, Countryscape and KP Environmental (2013)

This Seascape Character Assessment was undertaken at a regional scale, and is intended to inform the development of Marine Plans for Northern Ireland. It covers the entire 650km length of the Northern Ireland coast from Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough, as well as estuaries, island and sea loughs. It includes marine, intertidal and terrestrial parts of the coastline, and extends 12 nautical miles offshore. Fiona contributed to the project methodology and seascape characterisation, and was responsible for sections of the report describing how cultural influences have helped to shape the development of Northern Ireland’s varied seascapes.

Anglesey and Snowdonia Seascape Character Assessment

With Countryscape and SEACAMS/ Bangor University (2013)

This project was undertaken for Anglesey Coast AONB, Snowdonia National Park and Natural Resources Wales. The study area included the coast of Anglesey, and the coast of mainland Wales from the Great Orme to the Dyfi Estuary (excluding the Lleyn Peninsula). The project was an extension of the conventional landscape character assessment process. It involved the identification and mapping of marine, intertidal and terrestrial Seascape Character Types (SCTs), and the grouping of these into geographically-distinct Seascape Character Areas (SCAs). Maps and profiles were prepared for all the SCTs and SCAs. SCT profiles describe each SCT and where it occurs. SCA profiles provide an in-depth study of each SCA, including its key characteristics, natural influences and sites, cultural influences and sites, perceptual qualities, and the cultural ecosystem services which it provides. The forces for change associated with each SCA are described, along with inherent sensitivity.

Because the majority of SCAs include a combination of marine, intertidal and terrestrial SCTs, the project provides a comprehensive overview of the physical and cultural relationships between land and sea, and how these have developed over time. The report is being use d in a variety of ways, including contributions to planning decisions (for onshore and offshore development proposals), the management of coastal conservation and cultural sites, and shoreline management.