LUC has been appointed to prepare an updated district-wide Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) for Dover District Council.

The study will provide a sound landscape evidence base to assist in the local planning process. It sits alongside our current work in undertaking the Local Plan Sustainability Appraisal.

The new assessment will provide strategic overarching landscape evidence that is fit for purpose in informing policy and helping to manage future change and development, particularly in meeting housing need.

It will:

• Integrate with the new Kent Downs AONB character assessment and the recent Dover Strait seascape assessment;
• Offer a greater level of detail in the classification reflecting the diversity of the Dover District landscape;
• Align with the ambitions of the 25-year Environment Plan and objectives for landscape enhancement and nature recovery networks;
• Provide a clear understanding of landscape values and sensitivities of each character area at the strategic level to provide information for use in future decision-making and a framework for local landscape sensitivity assessments.

The study is being split into two phases, to fit with current COVID-19 restrictions. The interim desk-based work is being undertaken to inform the Reg 18 draft Local Plan consultation, followed by fieldwork to validate the LCA prior to getting to Reg 19.

Innovative use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and technology is enabling the team to progress the work within the Local Plan timescale. Having migrated our IT system to the cloud and introduced virtual environment for our GIS software and spatial data we are able to smoothly move our Landscape and GIS teams to home working during the lockdown, without impact on the efficiency and quality of our work.

Using interactive collaborative maps allows our Landscape team to discuss the suggested LCA boundaries via MS Teams and edit the draft boundaries in real-time.

Learn more about Landscape Planning & Assessment at LUC.