North Devon and Torridge - Landscape Character Assessment Update

Method

3.1 This chapter sets out the method for the LCA update

Best practice

3.2 This updated Landscape Character Assessment for North Devon and Torridge is in line with the approach promoted by Natural England through 'An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment' (2014) which embeds the principles of the European Landscape Convention (ELC) within it. While the Natural England approach document was published after the original North Devon and Torridge LCA (2011), the LCA was already in line with the principles advocated in terms of the approach taken in its preparation.

Landscape Character Assessment framework

3.3 This LCA forms part of a wider hierarchy of landscape character assessment information cascading down from the national, county to local (North Devon and Torridge) level. This hierarchy is illustrated on the next page in Figure 3.1.

National

3.4 At the national level, England is divided into 159 distinct National Character Areas (NCAs). Each is defined by a unique combination of landscape, biodiversity, geodiversity, history, and cultural and economic activity. There are descriptive profiles available for each NCA (published in 2014), setting out information on landscape character, changes happening in the landscape and an assessment of ecosystem services delivered. The NCAs covering the two authority areas are shown at Figure 3.2.

Figure ‎3.1: Landscape classification hierarchy

County

3.5 At a county level, Devon's landscape character assessment describes the variations in character between different areas and types of landscape in the county. In 2016, work was completed to divide Devon up into 68 Devon Character Areas (DCAs), each representing areas with a unique and distinct identity recognisable on a county scale. These are shown alongside the NCAs at Figure 3.3.

3.6 The DCAs are made up of a framework of Devon-wide Landscape Character Types (LCTs), each sharing similar characteristics. Some types of landscape occur throughout the county, for example, 'Sparsely settled farmed valley floors' while others may occur only once, for example, 'Upland moorland with tors' - which is only found in Dartmoor National Park.

3.7 Collectively, the Devon-wide LCA work provides an evidence base for local plans, articulating what people perceive as distinctive and special about all landscapes in Devon. It also set out strategies and guidelines for the protection, management and planning of the landscape.

3.8 Because the work to classify and describe the DCAs followed the publication of the original North Devon and Torridge LCA (which was based on LCTs only), this updated LCA has taken a renewed look at the spatial classification of both LCTs and DCAs across the two districts. In agreement with the Devon Landscape Policy Group, a shift in focus from presenting evaluative information (forces for change and guidance) away from the generic LCTs to the area-specific DCAs has also been made as a key feature of this update. It is hoped that this new approach will be applied across the rest of Devon as the original authority-scale LCAs are updated in the coming years.

Figure ‎3.2: National Character Areas

Figure ‎3.3: Devon Character Areas

Local (North Devon and Torridge Districts)

3.9 Also taking place after the original LCA in 2011, a Seascape Character Assessment for the North Devon and Exmoor coasts was produced for the National Trust, AONB and partners in 2015. This assessment covers the entire coastline of the two districts (including all of the AONB and Lundy) and its adjacent waters. The approach taken was fully compatible with the land-based assessment - using the existing LCT framework along the coast and identifying new Seascape Character Types (SCTs) for areas offshore. Some minor changes were made to a few of the coastal LCTs during the process of producing the Seascape Character Assessment, which have been taken into account for this update (see further below).

Approach taken to the LCA update

3.10 The process for undertaking the assessment involved four main stages, described below:

Stage 1: Desk study and classification

3.11 This stage involved the collation of a wide range of mapped information (see Appendix A) to 'sense-check' the landscape classification established in the original LCA and ensure any significant changes to landscape character are reflected in an updated classification.

Updated classification of Landscape Character Types

3.12 A total of 23 Landscape Character Types (LCTs) are identified for the two districts, as listed in Table 3-1 below; with 19 LCTs in North Devon and 16 in Torridge, with considerable cross-over of LCTs between the two authority areas. Although the larger settlements within the two districts are excluded from the assessment (in line with the Devon-wide approach), they are categorised as a specific LCT - Main Cities and Towns.

3.13 The LCT classification is shown in Figure 3.4 for North Devon and Figure 3.5 for Torridge. The maps include the Seascape Character Types which extend offshore, showing how the two classifications align.

Table ‎3.1: LCTs within North Devon and Torridge

3.14 Appendix B sets out the findings, recommendations and actions taken during the boundary review, which were subject to field verification under Stage 2. The majority of changes are relatively minor; largely 'tidying up' boundaries, reflecting areas of growth on urban edges and ensuring the LCT classification does indeed reflect current character. The most significant change from the 2011 classification is the addition of one new coastal LCT - 4I Rocky Foreshores - which was identified by the Seascape Character Assessment (2015).

Figure ‎3.4: Landscape Character Types (North Devon)

Figure ‎3.5: Landscape Character Types (Torridge)

3.15 A thorough review of cross-boundary landscapes was also undertaken, to ensure that character 'flows' across administrative areas. This primarily focused on the other Devon authorities utilising the Devon approach (West Devon and Mid Devon), as well as the LCAs available for Exmoor National Park (2018) and Cornwall (2007 - being updated by LUC at the time of writing). Users of this document are therefore encouraged to refer to the LCAs produced by the other local authorities for any locations close to or on administrative boundaries.

3.16 The classification of LCTs has been mapped at a scale of 1:25,000 which means that it is suitable for use at this scale. The scale of this classification will need to be taken into account whenever the assessment is used to ensure that the level of detail is compatible with the intended application. In reality landscape character does not change abruptly at the LCT boundaries. Boundaries therefore often represent transitions rather than marked changes in character visible on the ground.

Updated classification of Devon Character Areas

3.17 Appendix B also sets out the changes made to any DCA boundaries resulting from the updates made to the underlying LCT classification. Again, there were no significant changes made. Table 3-2 and Table 3.3 below shows the DCAs within the study area and which district they are located in.

North Devon

Table ‎3.2: DCAs within North Devon

3.18 High Culm Ridges, South Molton Farmland, Witheridge and Rackenford Moor and Taw Valley are DCAs which extend into adjacent districts.

Torridge

Table ‎3.3: DCAs within Torridge

3.19 High Culm Ridges, Taw Valley, West Torridge Upland Farmland, High Torridge Culm Plateau and Upper Tamar Tributary Valleys are DCAs which extend into adjacent districts.

3.20 Figures 3.6 and 3.7 show the DCA classification for North Devon and Torridge.

Stage 2: Field survey

3.21 The main field survey work undertaken to inform the updated LCA took place in July 2021, with follow-up visits to specifically check cross-boundary issues (particularly with West Devon) in October 2021.

3.22 The fieldwork exercise was used to:

• Verify and fine-tune the spatial classification of LCTs and DCAs, including checking areas crossing into adjacent authorities;

• check key characteristics of the LCTs and note local variations in character across the DCAs;

• gather information on perceptual qualities and views (including visual relationships with adjacent areas);

• identify valued attributes/special qualities; and

• assess landscape condition and forces for change within the DCAs.

• Following fieldwork, the spatial classification and descriptive profiles were updated, prior to consultation under the next stage.

Figure ‎3.6: DCAs (North Devon)

Figure ‎3.7: DCAs (Torridge)

Stage 3: Consultation

3.24 A consultation workshops was held in November 2022 to gather local views and knowledge about the North Devon and Torridge landscape. Stakeholders included statutory bodies including the Environment Agency, AONB representatives and landowners such as the National Trust.

3.25 The workshop consisted of two main exercises.

• Exercise 1: What do you think is important about the different Devon Character Areas/Landscape Character Types?

• Exercise 2: What issues are affecting the landscape?

3.26 A list of consultees present at the consultation events can be found in Appendix C.

Stage 4: Reporting

3.27 The LCT profiles are structured as follows:

• Context map and representative photograph

• Summary description

• Key characteristics

• Valued landscape attributes

The full profiles can be viewed on the North Devon and Torridge websites.

3.28 The DCA profiles are structured as follows:

• Context maps showing extent of the DCA and component LCTs.

• Representative photographs

• Contextual description of the location of the DCA

• Summary character description proving an overview of the landscape.

• List of distinctive landscape characteristics

• A list of special qualities and features of the landscape.

• Forces for change and their landscape implications - both past and current and forces for change which are likely to have a future impact.

• Landscape guidelines under the headings of protect, manage and plan.

The full profiles can be viewed on the North Devon and Torridge websites.

North Devon and Torridge Landscape Character Update (PDF) [8MB]