Shropshire landscape sensitivity and capacity study
Client: Shropshire County Council, Bridgnorth District Council, Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, North Shropshire District Council, South Shropshire District Council, Oswestry Borough Council, Shropshire Hills AONB, Telford and Wrekin Council
The study uses the Shrewsbury study method for consistency across the county. It is an assessment of the landscape around settlements with potential for development in six local authorities in four separate and successive contracts. The surroundings of each settlement are analysed in terms of intrinsic sensitivity and capacity to absorb housing or employment development [around 85 settlements and 340 sites]. Land cover parcels are identified nested within the existing landscape assessment and assessed in terms of a clear set of criteria including cultural, ecological, and visual sensitivity, tranquillity and relationship to settlement. The studies use GIS data management systems and are intended to inform Local Development Plans site allocations.
