Review of East Dunbartonshire Local Landscape Areas, A Light Touch - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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