Lizard prepares Landscape and Visual Appraisals (LVA) to assess the potential landscape and visual effects of development proposals and provide practical recommendations to inform design and planning decisions.

An LVA considers the character and sensitivity of the surrounding landscape or townscape, together with existing and potential views towards a development site. It assesses how a proposal may affect these characteristics and views, while identifying opportunities to avoid or reduce potential effects and deliver appropriate landscape enhancements.

Our assessments are undertaken with reference to recognised best-practice guidance, including the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition (GLVIA3).

Landscape-led Design

Landscape advice can be particularly valuable during the early stages of development, before proposals become fixed. By identifying landscape constraints, opportunities and sensitivities at the outset, we can help shape development proposals that respond positively to their surroundings.

Lizard can provide high-level landscape assessment and advice to inform emerging development proposals, helping to establish appropriate design parameters and identify opportunities for landscape enhancement.

Our Landscape Planning team works closely with Lizard’s Ecology, Landscape Design and Arboriculture teams, allowing landscape, biodiversity, trees and other environmental considerations to be considered together from the outset.

This integrated approach is particularly valuable for development within the South Downs National Park, where landscape-led design and the protection of landscape character are important considerations in the planning process.Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA)

We conduct Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) to evaluate how your development will interact with the environment. Our assessments identify potential impacts and offer mitigation strategies, ensuring that the project fits harmoniously within its landscape, both in the short and long term.

Landscape Character and Sensitivity Assessment

Lizard undertakes Landscape Character and Sensitivity Assessments to provide a broader understanding of the character, qualities, and sensitivity of a landscape and its capacity to accommodate different types of development.

These studies typically involve identifying key landscape characteristics, assessing landscape susceptibility and sensitivity, and considering the potential capacity of the landscape to accommodate change.

Our assessments can provide useful evidence for local planning authorities, district and parish councils, developers and landowners, as well as supporting strategic planning, site allocation and development management.

Telecommunications, Infrastructure, and Minerals

Lizard has extensive experience in landscape and visual assessment for telecommunications and infrastructure projects, with projects undertaken across England, Wales and Scotland, including Cornwall.

Our telecommunications and infrastructure work is supported by an integrated photorealistic photomontage service, helping clients, planning authorities and stakeholders understand the potential visual effects of proposed infrastructure.

We also provide landscape planning and assessment services for the minerals sector, including the assessment of landscape and visual effects associated with mineral extraction and related development.

Landscape Expert Witness

Where required, Lizard provides Landscape Expert Witness services in connection with planning appeals and other planning matters.

Josh Peacock regularly provides expert landscape evidence at planning appeals, inquiries and hearings. His experience enables us to provide clear, objective and robust professional evidence on landscape and visual matters.

We can provide expert input throughout the planning process, from the preparation and review of landscape evidence through to appearing as an expert witness where required.

What is the difference between an LVA and an LVIA?

A Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) is generally prepared for development proposals that are not subject to a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It considers the potential effects of a proposal on landscape character and visual amenity and identifies opportunities to avoid, reduce or mitigate potential effects.

A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) is undertaken where landscape and visual matters form part of a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). It follows established principles of landscape and visual assessment but forms part of the wider EIA process and associated environmental reporting.

Both LVAs and LVIAs are informed by recognised best-practice guidance, including the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition (GLVIA3).

An Integrated Approach

Our Landscape Planning team works closely with Lizard’s Landscape Design, Ecology and Arboriculture teams, allowing landscape and environmental considerations to be considered together from the earliest stages of a project.

This helps identify constraints, opportunities and potential mitigation measures early, reducing the risk of landscape and environmental issues becoming problems later in the design or planning process.

By combining specialist disciplines within one team, we provide practical, commercially aware landscape advice that supports good design, informed decision-making and successful planning outcomes.