Fiona Sharman was commissioned by Langley Burrell Parish Council and Steering Group to undertake a Landscape and Visual Review (LVR) of the evidence base provided for the Langley Burrell Parish Neighbourhood Development Plan (LBPNDP) produced circa 2016. This report aims to assess existing landscape conditions, changes since the original plan, and the sensitivity to change. The LVR's findings will assist in making objective decisions on new residential developments and areas worthy of protection, and can also guide landscape strategies and projects for the local area.
The scope of the work involved two main elements: a desk study to review the existing LBPNDP and its landscape evidence base, and fieldwork to assess the Landscape and Visual character of the Study Area. The review included a detailed analysis of the landscape context, planning policy changes, key issues, and landscape sensitivity to development. Fieldwork was conducted from August to October 2023, with representative photographs taken for evaluation.
The author, Fiona Sharman, is a Consultant Chartered Landscape Architect with extensive experience in both private and public sectors. Her expertise encompasses consultation, public engagement, planning inquiries, strategic analysis, residential master planning, and various development projects. Fiona's professional background and involvement in landscape planning make her well-suited for conducting the Landscape and Visual Review for Langley Burrell Parish.
Section 2 outlines the approach used in preparing the document. The main objectives of the Landscape and Visual Review (LVR) are:
The methodology and terminology for this review are based on:
For clarity:
The review process considers:
Landscape-related planning policy is relevant to the assessment, considering the planning context for new developments based on policy requirements.
The value and sensitivity of heritage assets are assessed in relation to their landscape context and setting, aligning with Historic England's guidance on the setting of heritage assets.
It's important to note that the LVR does not determine whether an area should be developed; it only assesses the sensitivity of an area to residential development.
Since the LBPNDP's publication, there have been notable changes affecting the parish. This includes additional developments and shifts in the planning policy context, which are elaborated further below.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) underwent revisions in 2018 and 2023. It emphasises a balance between 'social', 'economic', and 'environmental' factors when planning new developments. The NPPF mandates that developments should be appropriate for their location and contribute to protecting and enhancing the environment.
Section 7, Paragraph 58 of the NPPF urges local and neighbourhood plans to formulate robust policies for new development quality. Planning policies should ensure developments function well, reflect local character, and maintain visual attractiveness through good architecture and landscaping.
Section 11, Paragraph 109 advocates for the planning system to safeguard the natural and local environment, including valued landscapes. The 2023 amendments focus on addressing climate change, flooding, and coastal changes.
The LBPNDP references various planning documents that remain relevant:
Additional planning policy-based evidence includes:
The Wiltshire Development Plan is under review (regulation 18 2021). The emerging spatial strategy for 2026-2036 outlines housing needs for Chippenham and the requirement for employment land. The Wiltshire Local Plan review and Landscape Appraisal 2023 findings are also relevant.
The Blue and Green Infrastructure Strategy (2022-2030) by Wiltshire Council is noteworthy.
A Neighbourhood Plan for Langley Burrell was produced in 2017. Its ongoing review aims to update policies in line with community consultation, focusing on shaping future development and protecting key village features.
The LBPNDP's Vision statement highlights concerns about encroaching development, emphasising the need to preserve the parish's distinct identity and rural setting.
Introduced in 2010, Neighbourhood Planning aims to empower communities to shape their areas. NDPs like LBPNDP coexist with Local Plans, influencing planning decisions. The Chippenham NDP 2023-2038 provides policies relevant to Langley Burrell, including the protection of green buffers against urban sprawl.
Landscape Gaps are planning tools aimed at preserving settlement patterns, focusing on visual and physical separation rather than intrinsic landscape value. The Chippenham NDP identifies a landscape gap northeast of Langley Burrell to prevent coalescence with neighbouring hamlets.
Outline planning permission for 750 houses and facilities has been granted (ref N/12/00560/OUT). Phase 2 development remains pending.
Planning application for 700 houses (ref 15/12351/OUT) was consented in 2021 for 650 dwellings, not yet constructed.
A development for 400 houses, a hotel, café, supermarket, and industrial activity has received outline approval (ref 16/03515/OUT).
Initially refused in 2016 but granted permission on appeal in 2023 for 500 homes (ref 14/10433/OUT), no development has commenced.
Wavin's expansion and Cocklebury Link Road proposals are also relevant developments.
Ongoing and potential developments are shaping the parish's landscape and planning context, including consents, road links, and local allocations.
Changes since the LBPNDP have impacted the parish's landscape and visual character, affecting pastoral land use, views, heritage features, and tranquillity.
Several key views identified in the LBPNDP have been or may be altered due to new developments, impacting the parish's visual character.
Implementing planning policies has brought both achievements and challenges. Some policies have effectively guided development, while others face challenges in enforcement and interpretation.
Effective consultation and community engagement are crucial for successful planning. The LBPNDP has sought to involve the community in shaping its policies and understanding local needs.
The changes resulting from developmental activities since the publication of the LBPNDP have significantly impacted the landscape and visual character of Langley Burrell. These changes include alterations to land use, urbanization, and the introduction of new infrastructures.
The developmental changes have affected key characteristics of the landscape, such as loss of pastoral land, interruption of open views, and impacts on ecological diversity. These changes have implications for the parish's rural tranquillity and distinctiveness.
The visual impacts of developmental changes are evident in key views identified in the LBPNDP. New developments, including housing and infrastructure projects, have altered these views, affecting the visual integrity and scenic beauty of the parish.
Additionally, the night-time effects of urban expansion, such as increased lighting, have changed the nocturnal character of Langley Burrell, impacting its rural ambiance.
In conclusion, the developmental changes post-LBPNDP publication have had significant implications for the landscape, visual character, and ambiance of Langley Burrell. Strategic planning and community engagement will be essential to manage these changes and preserve the parish's unique identity and heritage.
The Appraisal aims to review the Landscape and Visual sensitivity of Langley Burrell parish concerning its potential for new residential development. It identifies areas needing protection or enhancement post the LBPNDP publication.
Landscape value refers to society's relative attachment to various landscapes. The NPPF mandates enhancing valued landscapes and allocating land with minimal environmental or amenity value. Local and community values are crucial. Landscape susceptibility to change assesses the landscape's ability to adapt to development without detrimental effects.
The LBPNDP and the Aecom Heritage and Character Assessment outline the parish's inherent landscape sensitivities, varying across areas due to differing landscape elements, quality, and forces for change. These sensitivities include areas sensitive to heritage assets, rural settings, and landscape appearances.
The parish can be divided into distinct areas to understand their susceptibility to change. Landscape character and quality vary across the parish, leading to differing sensitivities to development. The LBPNDP and the 2023 Wiltshire Council Local Plan Review provide insights into these sensitivities.
This area is identified as a 'Strategic countryside gap' aiming to protect Langley Burrell's separate identity. Sensitivities include heritage assets, rural settings, and visual connections to the wider landscape.
Significant changes in this area include housing developments, impacting the urban edge of Chippenham and reducing the countryside gap. Sensitivities include riparian habitats, listed buildings, and key views.
This area displays key characteristics of rural landscapes and contributes to the rural setting of Langley Burrell. Sensitivities include long-distance views, listed buildings, and the countryside gap.
This section assesses the visual sensitivity of Langley Burrell concerning Key Views as identified in the LBPNDP. It explores the value of views in relation to heritage assets, planning designations, and their susceptibility to change due to viewer attention and interest.
5.1 Introduction
5.1.2 The report identifies areas within the parish that warrant further safeguarding or enhancement due to their sensitivity, value, and function. These include the setting to the settlement of Langley Burrell, the river Avon corridor, key views, key assets like conservation areas and causeways, ancient woodlands, and other existing Green and Blue Infrastructure (GBI) assets.
5.1.4 Recommendations from the study encompass the creation of landscape gaps and green spaces to protect Langley Burrell village's setting and identity, the enhancement of GBI networks, and the protection or enhancement of areas within the parish with high sensitivity or value. These suggestions could inform additional NDP policies or support existing ones in future development proposals.
5.1.6 The report proposes the definition of a Langley Burrell Landscape Gap based on visual and landscape character analyses, aiming to prevent the coalescence of settlements and protect their identity. A Landscape Gap should be contiguous, uninterrupted, and multifunctional, working to safeguard landscape quality, amenity, GBI provision, and agricultural land.
5.1.13 Proposed Landscape Gap(s) would serve to protect areas of high landscape and visual sensitivity within Langley Burrell village, such as the River Avon Corridor, Maud Heath’s Causeway, and Key Views across the parish.
5.1.22 Proposal A focuses on creating a Landscape Gap to the south, southwest, and west of Langley Burrell village, emphasising the importance of maintaining a rural edge character, protecting the Conservation Area, preserving land for agriculture, and ensuring aural and visual tranquillity.
5.1.24 Proposals B and C suggest safeguarding green spaces within the parish to the east and southeast, and west and northwest respectively, aiming to maintain rural settings, protect heritage assets, and ensure the continuity of Green Space and GBI networks.
5.2.2 Wiltshire Core Strategy acknowledges the importance of GBI for recreational, health, landscape, habitat, and biodiversity benefits. Langley Burrell parish possesses a good local GBI network performing vital functions.
5.2.4 Identified significant GBI assets in the parish include the River Avon corridor, tributaries, hedgerows, ancient woodland, and isolated mature trees. These features provide wildlife corridors, particularly for foraging bats, which should be protected and enhanced.
5.3.2 Additional recommendations include the allocation of land as Local Green Space in response to proposed Landscape Gaps or Green Spaces, identifying key viewpoint locations, protecting diverse ecological habitats, following management guidelines to protect landscape features, and implementing measures to respond to climate change effects.
6.1.2 The Landscape and Visual Review concludes that more robust measures are required to protect the setting of Langley Burrell village from coalescence with developments occurring to the north of Chippenham and to safeguard visual amenity, landscape character, and key valued assets and GBI of the parish.