Landscape Character Assessment

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Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) describes the characteristic patterns and features of our countryside, and explains how an area has developed over time. Judgements are made about each distinct area or type of landscape that will help guide future change.

The ongoing Devon Landscape Character Assessment follows nationally recognised guidelines, and has been split into three stages.

Stage 1 was completed as a County-wide study, and involved a desk study to identify ‘Land Description Units’ based on geographical information including geology, landform, vegetation and land use.

Stage 2 was completed by individual District Councils, AONB areas and Dartmoor National Park. It involved field survey work verifying findings from the desk study and resulted in the identification of ‘Landscape Character Types’ occurring in Devon.

The assessment has now reached the stage where many areas in Devon have completed their field survey work and are now currently finalising their individual Landscape Character Types and subsequent management guidelines. Once this exercise is complete for the whole of Devon, the task will be to

For details of the Stage 2 Landscape Character Assessment in your part of Devon, click on the map below.

Landscape - Map

Stage 3 is being completed as a County-wide study, and is nearing completion. It will draw together the findings of Stage 2 and present the LCA as a Devon-wide picture, framed into a new map of Devon that divides the county into areas that share a distinct character and identity. These ‘Devon Character Areas’ will each have a written profile containing:

A description of the area and what makes it special and distinctive
Past, current and future forces for change in the landscape
Landscape strategy and guidance that will help protect and manage what is appreciated, as well as planning for positive change.

The profiles and map are currently in draft, and will be finalised following:

The results of a recent public survey entitled ‘Your Devon Landscape’ which ran from 1 March to 18 April 2011.
The feedback from two stakeholder workshops held at the end of March 2011
Receipt of comments by 9 May on the draft profiles from the Devon Landscape Policy Group and stakeholder organisations.

An interactive map of Devon Character Areas will be published on these web pages by March 2012, along with the accompanying Devon Character Area profiles and links to detailed LCAs.