Shetland Local Landscape Designation Review: Final Report

LCU
No.
LCU Name
Which parts of the LCU performs
best against the evaluation criteria?
Are there parts of the LCU that
contribute to important composite
landscapes?
Application of practical criteria
(coherence, size, other
designations, boundaries)
Conclusion
50 Sandwick This area scores particularly highly for
both cultural and natural qualities, largely
represented by Mousa, which is both a
bird reserve and a historic site. Mousa
is also a landmark on this stretch of
coast. These qualities are reflected in
the unsettled No Ness peninsula which
faces Mousa, though the majority of the
LCU scores less highly, and contributes
to the lower intactness score
51 Fitful Head This south-west part of the Mainland
scores highly across all criteria,
particularly scenic qualities, which reside
in the varied coastal landscape. The area
contains visible crofting patterns as well
as natural undisturbed areas. The coast
of this area performs best against the
criteria, though the inland areas also
contribute
52 Sumburgh Head This landscape scores highly for its
visibility and views, and for its cultural
heritage qualities. The southern tip of
Sumburgh Head is an important Shetland
landmark, particularly for those arriving
or departing from Sumburgh Airport.
The developed area around the airport
contributes to the area’s low intactness
score, though there are a number of
important attractions in the area
The area forms part of a continuous
landscape of more or less settled coast
which stretches from Sumburgh to
Lerwick. The peninsula area of this LCU
extends outward, away from this and
other landscapes, although the No Ness
peninsula and Mousa form an association
This area does not form clear
associations with other landscapes,
though it forms part of the wider South
Mainland peninsula, backed by Ward of
Scousburgh, and continuing northward
towards Burra and Trondra
Sumburgh Head and Scat Ness extends
out from the southern tip of Shetland,
and are not closely associated with
other areas of high landscape value
Mousa alone, though performing well
against the criteria, would not be large
enough to warrant designation.
Grouped with No Ness, the area
becomes more substantial, representing
the links between Mainland and island.
Minor roads form a suitable boundary
across the top of No Ness
Around half of this LCU, including most
of the coast, is already protected as part
of the Shetland NSA. The remaining
area does not represent a coherent
landscape suitable for designation
The key area of this LCU is south of the
airport, though the airport area is not
suitable for designation, due to its level
of development. The A970 has
therefore been selected as the
boundary, excluding the airport but
including Sumburgh Head, Jarlshof and
Scat Ness
No Ness and Mousa
proposed as cLLA 9
No proposal
The southern headlands
are proposed as cLLA 8
Shetland Islands Local Landscape Designation Review Land Use Consultants
Final Report 52 October 2011