Landscape Sensitivity

Many of the elements that contribute to the distinctive and special character of the landscape of the CCWWD AONB are inherently fragile.

The AONB Partnership has therefore been looking at ways of recognisng and identifying this fragility through looking at Landscape Sensitivity as well as managing elements which contribute to key attributes of the landscape such as its tranquility, remoteness and lack of light pollution.

Landscapes are sensitive to many factors to a lesser or greater degree. Some crops create a change that lasts a few months, the planting or felling of a woodland can cause change that persists for decades, and built development can introduces changes that seem to last for ever. One of the roles of any AONB team is to assess potential changes and evaluate the impact of those changes. With that information it is then possible to advise on alternative options, less damaging locations, better integration with the landscapes, or, if appropriate, that the proposals would seriously conflict with the purposes of AONB designation.

The Sensitivity Report commissioned in 2007, focusing on the innate fragility or robustness of the landscape character areas of the AONB, and can be downloaded below:

Landscape Sensitivity Full Report - May 2007 (PDF, 500kB)

Figure 1 - Landscape Character Sensitivity (PDF, 700kB)

Figure 2 - Visual Sensitivity (PDF, 700kB)

Figure 3 - Overall Landscape Sensitivity (PDF, 700kB)

Figure 4 - Sensitivity Mapping Key (PDF, 700kB)