Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA)

What is Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment?

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (also known as LVIA) is a tool used to identify and assess the significance of and the effects of change resulting from development on both the landscape as an environmental resource in its own right and on people’s views and visual amenity.

When do I need a LVIA?

A LVIA can be carried out either formally, as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), or informally as a contribution to the ‘appraisal’ of development proposals and planning applications.  Both are important processes and follow a similar approach and LandShape is experienced in the preparation of LVIAs for both EIA and local planning applications.

What is a Planning Appeal?

When a planning application – either for a residential or large commercial development – fails to achieve planning approval, often the developer will choose to submit an appeal for the application to be decided by the planning inspectorate.  Helen Palmer of LandShape has submitted various documents supporting planning appeals and has acted as Landsape Expert Witness for planning hearing and public inquiries.

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is an important part of the development of any site and is often required for submission with a planning application for the development of a new house.  LVIA looks at the existing land and land use prior to development and then identifies the impacts that development may have, firstly on the landscape in which it sits, and secondly on any views that there may be of the development. LVIA is often used as part of a larger Environmental Impact Assessment for larger and more controversial applications – such as the development of a derelict waterside area, but it is also used for single houses in sensitive locations such as the South Downs National Park or for development appraisals for new houses in infill areas.