Landscape Character and Community Involvement
Landscape characterisation is the process of of understanding and explaining what makes the local landscape distinctive.
Over the years communities have contributed in various ways to caring for their local landscape. In an era in which community participation and empowerment have become key words, it is understandable that local people, defined as 'communities of place', have demonstrated their desire to influence the landscape where they live. Landscape can have a profound impact on their health and well being, and thereby the quality of life of the individual and the community.
For a number of years the Countryside Agency, and its predecessor, the Countryside Commission, has promoted a number of community based initiatives aimed at giving local people a greater say in what happens in the place where they live.
The Parish Landscape Character Assessment Pilot Project: (699kb)
is an example of a landscape assessment using the Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland (The Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, 2002).
For further information please contact: Christine.Tudor@naturalengland.org.uk
