Landscape Character Assessments

We want to preserve the features of our local landscape for the future. We use Landscape Character Assessments to:

• find out what makes our borough's landscape so unique
• make sure any future developments do not change or take away the area's natural features

In 2007, consultants did a Landscape Character Assessment for the borough. They found which features made the largest contributions to the character of areas in the borough. Their report provided a strategy for how to protect, conserve and enhance the land.

We used the Landscape Character Assessment report when we wrote our Local Plan. This means we have a strategy for managing:

• what can be built in the borough
• where developments can take place

By using the Landscape Character Assessment, we can make sure all local developments:  

• conserve and/or enhance the characteristics of Guildford's landscape, villages, and towns
• maintain locally valued features
• enhance or restore any deteriorating local features
• respect the relationship between towns, villages, and the countryside
• conserve and/or enhance local views, landscape features and landmarks
• stay in line with local building styles and materials
• support our efforts to look after plants and animals living in the borough

If you're planning a development in the area, you should read our Landscape Character Assessment reports. They show you which features you'll need to help conserve, improve and/or protect.