Review of East Dunbartonshire Local Landscape Areas, A Light Touch Review
Local Landscape Area (LLA) Review in Local Development Plan Process • 2011 - SNH advise existing landscape designations are reviewed and statements of importance prepared • October 2012 – Work with SNH & W Dunbartonshire - Statement for Kilpatrick Hills • Main Issues Report 2013 – the preferred option included updating environmental designations, in line with Scottish Planning Policy. One response welcomed the intention to review landscape designations • Autumn 2014 – Working with SNH on Campsie Fells Statement • Proposed Plan 2015 - Policy 8 Natural Environment, LLA boundaries in Map. Evidence Reports Statements for Campsie Fells and Kilpatrick Hills • June & July 2016 – Review of Lowland LLA by LUC • Scottish Ministers ’ Examination 2016 • LDP Adoption 2017 • March 2017 Planning Guidance on Natural Env.
Initial In House Review for Kilpatrick Hills & Campsie Fells LLA • No Planning Guidance Note 2011 for Regional Scenic Areas • Local Plan 2 boundary of Kilpatrick Hills indicative – landscape consultants defined it by Rugged Moorland Hills Landscape Character Area, for Proposals Map in Summer 2012. • Local Plan 2 - no justification for Regional Scenic Areas designation • Stirling Council’s Statements of Importance for Southern Hills, beside Campsie Fells • West Dunbartonshire was leading work on a statement for Kilpatrick Hills
In House Review Findings Special Qualities Kilpatrick Hills - Strong sense of remoteness, wildness and open horizons; distinctive landforms; and a unique diversity of views Campsie Fells - Distinctive landform of the Campsie Fault; striking views and diversity of landscape experience
Purpose of Review of LLA in Lowland Part of Council Area • Provide more information on the special qualities of LLA to support LDP Policy 8: Protecting and Enhancing Landscape Character and Nature Conservation. • Ensure that the designation of all LLA is justified and supported by Statements of Importance, prepared in line with SNH guidance • Provide more detail on the special qualities of LLA for applicants, development management colleagues and any other interested parties or stakeholders. • Identify suggested changes to existing LLA and their boundaries to inform the next LDP review.
Why Choose A Light Touch Review for Remaining LLA? • Existing Planning Guidance Note 2011 on the three lowland designations forms a basis • The Council has no in house Landscape Architect • In house work for Campsie Fells LLA was carried out over three months. Needed additional resource to get the other three existing LLA reviewed. • The in house work informed the production of a brief for consultancy • Timescale – Consultation on Planning Guidance on Natural Environment planned for August 2016.
Review - Approach • May 2016 - Request for Quotes • brief sent to Landscape Institute firms • Fee in £5000 to £15000 range • Three responses – decision based on cost, LUC won. Also informally checked quality of proposal • Research and Report done June and July 2016 A. Desk top review – Set evaluation Criteria (landscape character and quality), landscape baseline – character and designations, evaluation of potential areas at Bar Hill & Milngavie Reservoirs and existing LLA B. Landscape & Visual Assessment at key viewpoints in East Dunbartonshire C. Produce three Statements of Importance
Field Survey Assessment • Objective Checklist – e.g. landform, land cover • Subjective Checklist - Aesthetic Qualities Perception/Impressions, Boundary – robust or weak, Key positives &/ or negatives • Perceived naturalness including borrowed views to adjacent LLA • Identifying Potential Key Qualities
Light Touch Review – Findings • Badenheath – Not enough special qualities -remove designation • Glazert Valley Special Qualities - Distinctive broad valley landform; contrasting views in relation to elevation; & a diverse range of land uses & recreational opportunities Bardowie, Baldernock and Torrance Special Qualities - Unique drumlin landform; variety of views; a high standard of land management and recreational opportunities • Revised boundaries focus on core areas which have the special qualities • Proposed New LLA at Bar Hill - Distinctive rounded landform; dramatic views; and a diverse range of landscape and historical features
Reflection on Light Touch Review • Doing an in house review of the most popular LLA – the Campsie Fells helped planning staff’s understanding and management of the light touch review of the other areas • Use of specialist landscape staff gives professional input into the monitoring and review of designations through the public LDP process. • Reviewed boundaries and Proposed New LLA was produced over three months in time to be included in draft Planning Guidance for consultation. • Guidance a material consideration for planning applications and Forestry Strategy • Informed consultation response to North Lanarkshire Council - on their draft Statement of Case for the adjacent Kilsyth Hills • Formal amendment to designations in Supplementary Guidance this year and in future LDP Review process, currently 5 years time.
Further Information East Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/LDP East Dunbartonshire Planning Guidance on Natural Environment www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/residents/planning-and-building- standards/planning-policy/planning-guidance Contact: development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk
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