DRAFT Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Emerging Local Plan ...

Section 15.
Introduction
[ER10] Landscape and Visual Amenity
15.1 The landscape and visual amenity receptor covers the effects on the character and the
integrity of the landscape (such as areas designated as warranting protection on the grounds
of their natural beauty). This receptor can also include the urban landscape and visual
amenity. The receptor covers the topic of ‘landscape’ as required by the European Directive
and UK Regulations on the environmental assessment of plans and programmes and
incorporates a number of SA sustainable development objectives as outlined in Table 90.
15.2 The risks to the landscape and visual amenity receptor are directly associated with the
development and supporting infrastructure that arise as a consequence of the production of
new inappropriate development. Equally, adverse effects are prolonged by maintaining
visually inappropriate development. These risks are to a large extent reversible and can be
avoidable if steps were taken to reduce the potential effects on the landscape and the visual
character the areas affected in advance of the development going on ground.
15.3 In some instances the urban component of the receptor can be quite vulnerable to
inappropriate development. However, this is not always the case as the majority of the
townscapes in Runnymede lack any warrant of national protection.
15.4 Therefore, conversely, the opportunities exist for the landscape and visual amenity receptor
that are directly associated with the development and supporting infrastructure arise as a
consequence of the production of new development. The opportunities would be missed if
new development did not come forward.
Applicable SA/SEA Objective/Factor
Table 90 – Applicable SA/SEA Objective on ER10
Objective/Factor
Relevant SA Objective(s)
No. Title Status
SO20 ‘To protect and enhance the borough’s countryside and historic environment’ G
Relevant SEA Factor(s)
FA12 Landscape G
Current Policy Context
15.5 There is a range of policies relevant to welfare, health and well being at the international,
national, regional and local level. The key policy documents are set out below and
summarised in Table 91 – ER10 Policy Context Summary.
Table 91 – ER10 Policy Context Summary
Strategic Context – Sources of relevant objectives and
goals
Local Plan Relevant
objectives and comment
[ER10] Landscape and Visual Amenity
UK Policy: White Paper-Our Countryside: A Fair Deal for Rural England,
Biodiversity Strategy for England, Good Practice Guide on Planning for
Tourism, UK Climate Change Programme, White Paper: Planning for a
Sustainable Future, The Historic Environment: A Force for our Future,
Thames Waterway Plan and Sustainable Communities: Building for the
Future , England Rural Development Plan.
Regional Policy: South East Plan, South East Regional Minerals
Strategy , Regional Minerals Strategy for Waste and Minerals
Objective: Improve the public realm and
regenerate town centres to deliver a
vibrant borough fit for the 21 st century
Comment: Landscape, townscapes, and
visual amenity are a key focus of the SCS
and the Local Plan. Regeneration of town
centres will provide an opportunity to
improve visual amenity in town centres, as
Page | 193 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013