'Links to other sustainability tools'

Topic Paper 2 published by the Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, April 2002

Author: Lyndis Cole, Land Use Consultants

This summary sheet was produced September 2006

Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) can inform a range of other sustainability tools and methodologies. Equally, these tools may assist decisions concerning the conservation and enhancement of landscape character. Topic Paper 2 looks at four sustainability tools which have been developed for use in England and/or Scotland. Please note that in some cases the tools and methodologies described in Topic Paper 2 have progressed since the paper was authored, and there are newer tools that are not mentioned, such as Sustainability Appraisal.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) (England and Scotland)
In use in England and Scotland since 1985, EIA involves compiling, evaluating and presenting all the significant environmental effects of a proposed development to assist local planning authorities in considering planning applications. Topic Paper 2 describes how LCA outputs make an important contribution to EIA, providing a baseline description of the landscape as a resource and contributing to an assessment of the potential impact of development on the landscape.

Identifying indicators and monitoring change
There is a need for indicators to monitor change in landscape character, both at local and national level. Topic Paper 2 highlights factors that should be considered when selecting landscape indicators at a local level, and describes the difficulties involved in producing national indicators of change. Subsequent to the writing of this topic paper the Countryside Quality Counts project, led by the Countryside Agency and involving Defra, English Nature and English Heritage, has been set up to address the need for national reporting indicators for changes in countryside character and quality (England only).

Quality of Life Capital (England only)
Formerly known as Environmental Capital, and since this Topic Paper retitled Quality of Life Assessment, this decision support tool was developed by the English conservation agencies to consider environmental, economic and social benefits in an integrated manner as part of land-use planning and management. Topic Paper 2 describes how the approach relates to LCA, its underlying concepts, basic procedures and uses.

National Heritage Futures (NHF) (Scotland only)
NHF is a framework for implementing integrated sustainable development in Scotland, while ensuring the long term stewardship of natural heritage. The paper describes how NHF has subdivided Scotland into 21 areas with their own unique identity resulting from the interaction of geology, landform, landscape, wildlife and land use. A vision for sustainable development has been developed for each area.

Download a print version of this summary (62kB)

Download TP2 (671kB)