Landscape is affected by the decisions we make. Character assessment is an established tool that provides an evidence base on which planning and other decisions can be made concerning the physical environment.
The character assessments that form the core of the Environmental Character Study (ECS) are able to provide planners, developers and communities with a descriptive and objective picture of the Northamptonshire landscape.
This helps to identify what in a landscape sense gives a locality its own sense of place, as well as what makes it different from its neighbouring area, and should help to ensure that these qualities of the landscape can be retained and enhanced for future generations. In this way the conditions that should be set for any new development and change in the landscapes can be outlined.
A diversity of landscapes is evident across the county, each with their own distinctive visual, historic and ecological character. Some, such as the Nene Valley or Rockingham Forest, are widely known whilst others have a more local recognition.
The ECS document maps and describes Northamptonshire's landscape resource. In addition to detailed assessments of current landscape, biodiversity and historic landscape character, guidelines are also presented which give an illustration of how development should work with the landscape rather than against it.
An important feature of the character assessment process is that it is objective; no judgement is made of a particular landscape's value or quality. However, attention is given to identifying characteristics that are distinctive, rare or special.
This approach is a change from that previously used in Northamptonshire where only landscapes identified as special landscape areas merited particular attention. This approach will replace, in respect of development plans and planning decisions made by the county council, the primacy of special landscape areas and by doing so will give all of the county's landscapes the particular attention they deserve.
Below is information on the assessments within Northamptonshire. In progressing development framework documents or in drawing up and determining planning applications made to the county council, regard will be had to these assessments and the advice contained within them. For further information please also refer to our Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) in the related pages section below.
If you would like more information about landscape characterisation and its role in the planning work of the county council, please use the contact details on the right.
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