Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment consultants - where can I find one?
If you need a Landscape and Visual Assessment (LVA) or Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) but have no idea where to start, you’re in the right place. JFA Environmental Planning has been at the forefront of environmental planning consultancy across Kent and the South East for over 30 years and has delivered a plethora of LVA/LVIAs across a wide variety of projects. Let’s break down briefly what an LVA/LVIA is and how to obtain one for your project. LVA/LVIA: A Brief Overview LVA stands for ‘Landscape and Visual Assessment’. This is an assessment undertaken during the planning stages of a development and is used to determine whether the local landscape will be negatively impacted by said development. For example: will the development block any landmark views or harm the landscape? The assessment is presented in a report which can accompany a planning application. Occasionally, a local authority or one of their statutory consultees may identify that significant impacts could arise to landscape character or visibility in relation to the development. As such, a full LVIA would be required which follows guidelines developed jointly by the Landscape Institute/Institute of Environmental Management. This is a much more involved process and requires a systematic evaluation of the landscape and proposals, and a structured evaluation of the viewpoints. Why do I need an LVA/LVA? All local authorities have clear policies identifying landscape character throughout their districts. These are generally underpinned by broad landscape character descriptions. Nearly every locality fits within a Local Landscape Character Area (LLCA). As well as defining a character area, the descriptions will have identified typical characteristics of it, and will have defined management goals to ensure that the character is maintained or enhanced. When it comes to planning applications, planning officers need to be satisfied that proposals have taken account of the LLCA in which the site is located, and the applicant must demonstrate that the proposals will be in keeping with the local landscape character and not harm the landscape. In addition to seeking demonstration of the above, the local authority may also need information about any effects on the visibility of a proposal. Will it increase the prominence of the site in views from public locations? Will it block key or landmark views already identified by the LPA? An applicant must then be prepared to demonstrate that their proposals will not have effects on visibility and will be in harmony with the local landscape. That’s where an LVA or LVIA would come in. How to obtain an LVA/LVIA Both an LVA and LVIA should be carried out by a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI). This means you’ll need the expertise of an experienced and accredited ecological expert. If you’re based in the South of England, the team at JFA Environmental Planning are ready to deliver an LVA or LVIA, accurately and swiftly. Get in touch at enquiries@jfa.co.uk and let’s discuss your project together.
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What is biodiversity net gain (BNG)?
If you’re in the business of developing, the chances are you’ve heard the term ‘biodiversity net gain’, or ‘BNG’, verbalised a lot recently. This is likely because it recently became mandatory as part of the Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan and will have a dramatic impact upon how we approach developments and land management in the future. It’ll be one of the biggest changes the UK would have seen to conservation funding for decades. Below we’ll explain exactly what BNG is, how it’ll affect you, why it’s important and what you’ll need to do to ensure you’re compliant. What is BNG? Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is an approach to “development that aims to leave biodiversity in a better state than before, and where developers work with local governments, wildlife groups, landowners and other stakeholders in order to support their priorities for nature conservation1”. It requires a minimum 10% net gain for most developments which needs to be maintained for at least 30 years. Put simply, this soon-to-be mandatory practice requires developers to make the land they develop upon better and richer. BNG will become law in 2023 and sits under the Environment Act. Why is BNG important? Biodiversity is in decline across the globe and is under threat in the UK. In fact, according to a 2021 report from the RSPB2, the UK only achieved 3 of the 20 ‘Aichi Targets’ put in place a decade ago to save life on Earth. If we don’t implement changes soon biodiversity loss could cause irreversible damage to ecosystems and affect the livelihoods and quality of life of those that come after us. The construction industry significantly impacts the planet, with land clearing and deforestation being one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss, and construction accounting for 40% of the total flow of raw materials into the global economy every year – around 3 billion cubic tons3. This means the implementation of a mandatory biodiversity net gain for developments in the UK has been welcomed with open arms by experts. How is biodiversity net gain achieved? A biodiversity net gain can be achieved by following the good practice principles for BNG, developed by CIRIA, CIEEM and IEMA4. These principles should provide a framework for development projects:
How will BNG affect me? Developers will need to consider BNG at the constraints and opportunities phase of development. Trying to add on biodiversity enhancements after design is rarely successful. It may well reduce the developable area of land, so costs and profitability can be affected. There are offset schemes but these are in early stages and they will also have cost implications. Nationally the BNG scheme does not go live until the autumn of 2023, but many local authorities require it now. The simple advice would be to plan ahead and consider BNG along with any early design proposals. This may include seeking the help of a consultant. Still have questions? Drop us an email: enquiries@jfa.co.uk References 1 CIEEM https://cieem.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/C776a-Biodiversity-net-gain.-Good-practice-principles-for-development.-A-practical-guide-web.pdf 2 RSPB Annual Report 2020-2021 https://www.rspb.org.uk/globalassets/downloads/annual-report-2021/rspb-annual-report-2020-2021_digital.pdf?sourcecode=GENWEB0026 3 The Business & Biodiversity Resource Centre http://www.businessandbiodiversity.org/construction.html 4 CIEEM, section 1.2 https://cieem.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/C776a-Biodiversity-net-gain.-Good-practice-principles-for-development.-A-practical-guide-web.pdf |
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