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Landscape Character Assessments (LCA)

Landscape character and its sensitivity to future development

Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is a tool to assess and identify features and elements that contribute to the character of the landscape. LCAs are used to inform planning policies, the allocation of land for development, the assessment of planning applications and the process of Environmental Assessments.

The Icon for pdf West Berkshire Landscape Character Assessment (2019) [33MB] provides an up-to-date assessment for the District. It has replaced the Newbury District Landscape Assessment (1993) and Berkshire Landscape Character Assessment (2003). It sits alongside the Icon for pdf North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) LCA [21MB] , which extends beyond West Berkshire.

The sensitivity of the character of the landscape to future development can also be assessed.

2009

In 2009, a Landscape Sensitivity Study was completed for the main towns of West Berkshire in order to inform the most appropriate options for the direction of sustainable growth across the district. 

The areas covered were:

2011

In 2011, a Landscape Sensitivity Assessment (LSA) was completed for the rural service centres (Burghfield Common, Hungerford, Lambourn, Mortimer, Pangbourne, Theale) and service villages (Aldermaston, Bradfield Southend, Chieveley, Cold Ash, Compton, Great Shefford, Hermitage, Kintbury, Woolhampton) in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

You can read Icon for pdf an introduction [957KB] , or Icon for pdf download the full AONB Landscape Sensitivity Assessment study. [12MB]

You can view the individual site reports below:

2014

In 2014, a Landscape Capacity Assessment (LCA) was completed for potential housing sites in the AONB. You can read Icon for pdf an introduction and Phase 1 [300KB] of the Assessment.

The areas covered were:

2015

In 2015, a Landscape Capacity Assessment (LCA) was carried out for other potential housing sites in, or within the setting of, the AONB.

The areas covered were:

2017

In January 2017, a Icon for pdf Landscape Capacity Asessment (LCA) [2MB]  of potential housing sites in Stratfield Mortimer was prepared for Stratfield Mortimer Parish Council as part of work on the Stratfield Mortimer Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), adopted in May 2017.
 

2020

In November 2020, Landscape Capacity Assessments were carried out for potential housing sites.

The areas covered were:

2021

In September 2021, Landscape Capacity Assessments were carried out for potential housing and employment sites.

The areas covered were: 

2022

During 2022, Landscape Capacity Assessments were carried out for potential housing and employment sites. Icon for pdf LCA methodology for potential housing sites [238KB]  and Icon for pdf LCA methodology for potential employment sites [196KB] set out the methodology used.

The areas covered were:

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