Landscape Character Assessments have been carried out across Cumbria to help understand what makes our landscapes distinctive now and manage change in the future.  

We carried out our first assessment in the mid 1990’s and reviewed it in 2002.   The Lake District National Park Authority published its Landscape Character Assessment and Guidelines in September 2008.   The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority published its Assessment in 2001.   Together these describe and map the landscape character of Cumbria at a county scale.   More detailed assessments are being carried out for our three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

During 2009/10 we have been reviewing the county council’s landscape character assessment and landscape strategy.   These are now incorporated into the Draft Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit.   The review sought to better align the landscape character assessment with the Lake District assessment and the European Landscape Convention.   It also sought to review it in the light of changes to the landscape during the last decade.    

It has been developed in partnership with the Cumbrian local planning authorities and will support landscape character policy in the emerging Local Development Frameworks.     Comments are being sought on the draft version during summer 2010

The Draft Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit  retains all 37 landscape types and sub types that can be found across the County (outside the National Parks) as defined in the original assessment in the Cumbria Landscape Classification (1995).   However the review has resulted in small changes to some boundaries and a better description of the landscape characteristics.   It builds on both the Cumbria Landscape Classification and a review that was carried out by Technical Paper 5 – Landscape Character for the Cumbria Joint Structure Plan in 2002.

The Draft Cumbria Landscape Character Guidance and Toolkit not only maps and describes the landscape character of Cumbria, it also includes guidance that encourages the use of landscape character assessments.   When applied to individual proposals for development it can help achieve high quality developments that are built in the right place and that respect and enhance their surroundings.  When applied to changes in land use and land management it can help change that enhance or restore landscapes and features. 

A clear understanding of what makes a landscape distinct and its relationship with development proposals or land use change can help planning officers, councillors and the local community understand and determine how compatible proposals are with local landscape character and what opportunities there are for restoration and enhancement.   

Some of the distinctive features we look at when assessing character and development impacts include;

       built features – traditional farmhouses, barns, walls, etc.
       natural features – hedges, woodlands, hay meadows, wetlands, valleys, fells, rivers etc.
       cultural features – land use and management, settlement patterns, field enclosure etc.

Click here to find out more about the Draft Guidance and Toolkit and to see how you can comment on it.

A copy of 1997 Cumbria Landscape Classification is available to buy for £10.   To order a copy please send a cheque made payable to Cumbria County Council, to Hazel Hayton-Swindle, County Offices, Kendal, LA9 4RQ.

Technical Paper 5 - Landscape Character reviewed the 1997 assessment and can be downloaded below.

For more information on guidance and methodology for assessing landscape character and the impact of development on the landscape follow the links below or contact: