BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY LDP …Brecon Beacons National Park LANDSCAPE CHARACTER SPG...

Brecon Beacons National Park LANDSCAPE CHARACTER SPG DRAFT September 2012 1

BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

LDP SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER

DRAFT September 2012

This Supplementary Planning Guidance provides detail on how landscape character within the

Brecon Beacons National Park may be conserved and enhanced through the planning process. It will be used in the validation and determination of planning applications.

CONTENTS


CONTENTS Page 1.0 Introduction

3

2.0 Contents of the SPG

3

3.0 Background

4

4.0 Policy Context

7

5.0 Using the SPG

9

Annex A List of NPA Policies In Composite LDP relevant to Landscape Character SPG

Annex B Landscape Character Area profile summaries

List of figures: Fig. 3.1: Landscape Components Fig. 3.2: Landscape Character Areas within the Brecon Beacons National Park Fig. 5.1: Flowchart illustrating the process of applying Landscape Character considerations to a

development application. Fig. 5.2: Hypothetical example showing the application of Landscape Character considerations to

an agricultural development.

INTRODUCTION


1.0 Introduction 1.0.1 This Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) is one of a series of Guidance documents which

provide supporting information on the implementation of the National Park Authority’s (NPA) Local Development Plan (LDP).

1.0.2 The aim of this SPG is to show potential applicants how the conservation and enhancement

of landscape character should be a positive influence on planning applications. 1.0.3 This SPG is not a statement of Policy. Rather, it amplifies the Policies contained in the NPA

LDP. However, this SPG will be considered a material consideration in determining planning applications.

1.0.4 This SPG should be read in conjunction with the Brecon Beacons National Park Landscape

Character Assessment, prepared by Fiona Fyfe Associates on behalf of the NPA (August 2012).

2.0 Contents of the Landscape Character SPG 2.0.1 Following this introduction, this SPG is set out in three main sections. Section 3.0 contains

background information on the concept of landscape character; Section 4.0 summarizes the policy context for this SPG; and Section 5.0 addresses the practical application of the SPG.

2.0.2 Annex A contains a list of planning policies to which this SPG is relevant. Annex B contains a

summary profile for each of the Landscape Character Areas within the National Park. These profiles provide information on the landscape factors which should be considered when future development is proposed within (or visible from) each of the Landscape Character Areas.

BACKGROUND


3.0 Background 3.1 What is ‘Landscape?’ 3.1.1 The European Landscape Convention came into force in the UK in March 2007. Created by

the Council of Europe, the Convention promotes landscape protection, management and planning. The European Landscape Convention describes ‘landscape’ as:

An area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and human factors.

3.1.2 This holistic approach encompasses natural landscape factors (e.g. geology, geomorphology,

ecology), cultural factors (e.g. archaeology, historic features, settlements) and perceptual and aesthetic qualities of the landscape such as tranquillity. Landscape Character Assessment therefore brings together information on many different aspects of the environment into a single document. Fig. 3.1 below illustrates the various components which make up the landscape.

Fig 3.1: Landscape Components1

3.2 What is Landscape Character? 3.2.1 Landscape character can be defined as the distinct, recognisable and consistent pattern of

elements in the landscape that makes one landscape different from another (rather than better or worse). Landscape Character Assessment is a tool for identifying and describing variation in landscape character. It highlights the unique combinations of elements and features that make each landscape distinctive, and provides information to assist in managing change.

3.2.2 Landscape Character Areas are defined as single unique areas which are the discrete

geographical areas of a particular landscape type. Each has its own individual character and identity2. Landscape Character Areas are named with reference to specific places.

1 Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage (2002) Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and

Scotland p. 2

BACKGROUND


3.3 Landscape Character of the Brecon Beacons National Park 3.3.1 The Brecon Beacons National Park Landscape Character Assessment (undertaken between

March and August 2012) identified 15 distinct Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) within the Brecon Beacons National Park. These are shown on the map in fig. 3.2. Annex B contains summary profiles (descriptions) for each of the 15 LCAs. Please refer to the Brecon Beacons National Park Landscape Character Assessment for full details of the landscape characterisation process, and for the full-length profiles for each LCA.

3.3.2 The Landscape Character Areas within the Brecon Beacons National Park are:

LCA 1: Towy Valley Foothills LCA 2: Y Mynydd Du (the Black Mountain) LCA 3: Fforest Fawr LCA 4: Waterfall Country and Southern Valleys LCA 5: Western Usk Tributaries LCA 6: Middle Usk Valleys LCA 7: Central Beacons LCA 8: Talybont and Taff Reservoir Valleys LCA 9: Mynyddoedd Llangatwg and Llangynidr LCA 10: Clydach Gorge LCA 11: Eastern Usk Valley LCA 12: Skirrid and Sugar Loaf LCA 13: The Black Mountains LCA 14: Wye Valley Foothills LCA 15: Blorenge Summit and Slopes

2 Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage (2002) Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and

Scotland p. 9

BACKGROUND


Fig 3.2: Landscape Character Areas within the Brecon Beacons National Park

POLICY CONTEXT


4.0 Policy Context 4.0.1 Under the Environment Act 1995, the NPA has two statutory purposes and a statutory duty,

namely to:

Conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Park;

Promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities (of the Park) by the public; and

Seek to foster the economic and social well-being of local communities (within the National Park) by working closely with the agencies and local authorities responsible for these matters.

4.0.2 One of the key means by which the NPA fulfils its statutory purposes and duty is through

Planning Policies. The Landscape Character SPG is key to the application of two such Planning Policies of the LDP, namely Policy 1: Appropriate Development in the National Park and Policy SP3: Environment Protection- Strategic Policy. These policies are set out below. The Landscape Character SPG is also relevant to many other of the LDP Policies listed in Annex A.

Policy 1 Appropriate Development in the National Park All proposals for development or change of use of land or buildings in the National Park must comply with the following criteria, where they are relevant to the proposal: i) the scale, form, design, layout, density, intensity of use and use of materials will be

appropriate to the surroundings and will maintain or enhance the quality and character of the Park’s Natural Beauty, wildlife, cultural heritage and built environment;

ii) the proposed development is integrated into the landscape to the satisfaction of the NPA through planting and appropriate management of native species or through the construction of appropriate boundary features19;

iii) the proposed development does not have an unacceptable impact on the economic, social, cultural and linguistic vitality and identity of any community, either in its own right or through cumulative impact (See Policy ES33);

iv) the proposed development promotes opportunities for the conservation and enhancement of bio/geodiversity through appropriate design and landscaping.

v) the proposed development is within 400m of an area of accessible natural green-space.

POLICY CONTEXT


SP3 Environmental Protection – Strategic Policy

All proposals for development or change of use of land or buildings in the National Park must demonstrate that the proposed development does not have an unacceptable impact on, nor detract from or prevent the enjoyment of:

a) the special qualities of the National Park as identified in the National Park Management Plan (See Management Plan Appendix 4: Special Qualities of the National Park);

b) ecology and biodiversity assets both within and beyond designated sites (see Policies 2, 3 and 4);

c) the water environment (see Policy 5);

d) geodiversity, including the Fforest Fawr European Geopark;

e) cultural and historic heritage, including Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site, Registered Historic Parks Gardens and Historic Landscapes;

f) the character of the built heritage, including listed buildings, conservation areas and archaeological features;

h) the important network of public open space and recreation facilities (See also SP15 and supporting detailed policies);

i) soil and air quality (see Policy 7 and 8); or j) Agricultural Land of Grade 1, 2, 3a.

USING THE LANDCAPE CHARACTER SPG


5.0 Using the Landscape Character SPG 5.0.1 This SPG is intended to be a practical tool, demonstrating how the planning process can

facilitate the conservation and enhancement of the Landscape Character Areas within the National Park. The profiles in Annex B provide information on the landscape factors which should be considered when future development is proposed within (or visible from) each of the Landscape Character Areas.

5.0.2 The flowchart in fig. 5.1 illustrates how this process works with regard to:

Landscape character and views; Biodiversity; Cultural and built heritage; Recreation and enjoyment of the landscape.

5.0.3 Fig. 5.2 shows a hypothetical example illustrating how landscape character considerations

can be applied to an agricultural development. In the original application, the new barn is visually intrusive in the landscape and results in the loss of a traditional barn, historic field boundaries and their associated biodiversity. However, by taking landscape character issues into consideration at the design stage, the barn can be incorporated into the landscape in a more subtle manner, without loss of historic landscape features and with enhanced biodiversity links. Although the example given is for an agricultural building, the method works for other types, scales and locations of development.



Fig. 5.1: Flowchart illustrating the process of applying Landscape Character considerations to a development application



Fig. 5.2: Hypothetical example showing the application of Landscape Character considerations to an agricultural development.

ANNEX A


ANNEX A: LIST OF NPA POLICIES IN COMPOSITE LDP RELEVANT TO LANDSCAPE CHARACTER SPG

Policy SP1 National Park Policy

SP2 Major Development in the National Park – Strategic Policy

New Policy Sites of European Importance

Policy X Sites of National Importance

Policy: Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

Policy 3 Biodiversity and Development

New Policy Protected and Important Wild Species

Policy 4 Trees and Development

New Policy: Ancient Woodland and Veteran Trees

Policy 6 Light Pollution

New Policy: Listed Buildings

New Policy: Demolition of Listed Buildings

New Policy: The Setting of Listed Buildings

New Policy: Protection of Buildings of Local Importance

New Policy: Development affecting Conservation Areas

New Policy: Historic Parks and Gardens

New Policy: Historic Landscapes

Policy 49: Areas of Archaeological Evaluation

SP9 Renewable Energy

B LP1 Brecon Appropriate Development

K LP1 Key Settlement Appropriate Development

S LP2 Settlements Appropriate Development

LGS LP2 Limited Growth Settlements Appropriate Development

E LP1 Community Sustainability Edge of Settlement Exceptions

CYD LP1 Enabling Appropriate Development

ANNEX A


Policy 10 Renovation of Former Dwellings in the Countryside

Policy 11 Demolition and Replacement of Dwellings

Policy 12 House Extensions and Ancillary Buildings

SP6 Affordable Housing

Policy 16 Sites for Gypsies and Travellers

SP12 Economic Wellbeing

Policy 19 Provision of Small Scale Workshops

Policy 20 Farm Diversification

Policy 21 Equestrian Facilities

Policy 22 Storage of Caravans

Policy 23 New Farm and Forestry Buildings

SP14 Sustainable Tourism

Policy 27 New Buildings for Holiday Accommodation

Policy 28 Non-permanent Holiday Accommodation

Policy 29 New or Extended Sites for Touring Caravans, Camper Vans and Tents

Policy 30 New or Extended Outdoor Activity Centres

Policy 35 Planning Obligations

SP16 Sustainable Infrastructure

Policy 36 Power-lines and Pipelines

Policy 37 Telecommunications

New Policy: Water and Sewage Supply for New Development

SP17 Sustainable Transport

Policy 44 Composting

Policy 45 Mineral Safeguarding

Policy 46 Borrow Pits

Policy 47 Recycled, Secondary and Waste Materials

ANNEX B


ANNEX B: LANDSCAPE CHARACTER AREA PROFILE SUMMARIES

The following profiles provide information on the landscape factors which should be considered in each of the Landscape Character Areas within the National Park. Full profiles for each Landscape Character Area (including explanations of forces for change affecting each LCA) may be seen in the Brecon Beacons National Park Landscape Character Assessment (August 2012), along with a detailed methodology, background information on the landscape character assessment process, a short explanation of the development of the Brecon Beacons National Park landscape, and information on the general forces for change affecting the Brecon Beacons landscape.

ANNEX B


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