JSPU Joint Strategic Planning Unit

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Landscape character assessment is a technique that has been developed to facilitate systematic analysis, description and classification of the landscape. It involves identification of those features or combinations of elements that contribute to the character of the landscape, thereby enabling the special character and qualities of an area to be understood. This information allows reasoned consideration of those issues affecting the landscape in order to develop appropriate recommendations for its future conservation and management.

This character assessment has been undertaken specifically to broaden the understanding of the Berkshire landscape to aid the Berkshire Joint Strategic Planning Unit in formulating development plan policy and targeting future management initiatives. In particular, the purpose of the assessment was to inform the review of the Berkshire Structure Plan 2001-2016.
Policy EN1 of the Berkshire Structure Plan 2001-2016 (deposit draft incorporating changes March 2003) states:

“The distinctiveness of county - and district - level Landscape Character Types and Areas will be maintained in line with the strategy option for each area.”
The Berkshire Landscape Character Assessment identifies these Landscape Character Types and Areas at a County level. It also identifies strategic options for each Character Type.

As a strategic county-wide study undertaken at 1:50,000 scale, the Berkshire Landscape Character Assessment provides a context for the development, where required, of more detailed district-level assessments by the six unitary authorities within Berkshire: West Berkshire Council, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham District Council, Reading Borough Council, Slough Borough Council and Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

The district-level assessments will identify the landscape character in more detail (detail which is often inevitably absent at a strategic scale) and allow the Unitary Authorities to further develop more detailed management strategies that best suit the condition and quality of each area. These studies will act as a guide to local plans and development control by indicating the particular local qualities of the landscape which development proposals should respect.

Any new development needs to be accommodated in ways that not only protects sensitive locations but also strengthens local character and enhances the condition of the areas in which development is to take place. The Berkshire Landscape Character Assessment will ensure that, at a strategic level, necessary developments in rural areas are sensitively designed and located to reflect local character and that decisions will be informed by an understanding of the character and enhancement needs of the rural landscapes