Shropshire Landscape and Visual Sensitivity Study

Preparation of a county-wide landscape and visual sensitivity study to inform the selection of new sites for housing and commercial development across the county. A key requirement of the brief was that the landscape and visual sensitivity assessments should be prepared and presented separately.

This study which focused on 60 settlements (250 sites) was needed to inform the selection of housing and employment sites for allocation through the Council’s Local Plan Review and to provide a robust evidence base to support existing Local Plan policy, which seeks to protect landscape character and visual amenity in Shropshire through the development control process.

The assessment of landscape and visual sensitivity is complex and requires a rigorous approach, detailed site work, attention to detail and the application of careful terminology. Landscape architects worked proactively with the Council’s Steering Group to develop a robust and defensible methodology, which would help ensure that housing and commercial infrastructure development is directed to the most appropriate locations.