Reviewing Edinburgh’s Landscape Reviewing Edinburgh’s Landscape

DesignationsDesignations

Presentation and discussionPresentation and discussionSusanne Underwood and Susanne Underwood and

Carol AndersonCarol Anderson

OverviewOverview BackgroundBackground

– Study aimsStudy aims– Detailed requirementsDetailed requirements– Defining the scope of the workDefining the scope of the work

Undertaking the studyUndertaking the study– The Edinburgh Landscape Character AssessmentThe Edinburgh Landscape Character Assessment– Identifying Edinburgh’s candidate Special Landscape AreasIdentifying Edinburgh’s candidate Special Landscape Areas

FindingsFindings– Summary of change proposedSummary of change proposed– Statements of ImportanceStatements of Importance– Policy recommendations Policy recommendations

ConsultationConsultation Next stepsNext steps

BackgroundBackground

Study aims:Study aims: To prepare a landscape character To prepare a landscape character

assessment for City of Edinburghassessment for City of Edinburgh To review local landscape To review local landscape

designations in line with SNH and HS designations in line with SNH and HS guidanceguidance

BackgroundBackground Detailed requirements:Detailed requirements:

– Inclusion of open spaces within and Inclusion of open spaces within and adjacent to the cityadjacent to the city

– Consideration of cross boundary issuesConsideration of cross boundary issues– Consideration of identified objectives set Consideration of identified objectives set

out in project brief for evaluating local out in project brief for evaluating local landscape designationslandscape designations

– Description of landscape character types Description of landscape character types and areasand areas

– Stakeholder involvementStakeholder involvement– Use of historic land use assessment to Use of historic land use assessment to

inform studyinform study

BackgroundBackground

Policy BackgroundPolicy BackgroundPolicy purpose of SLA designationPolicy purpose of SLA designation What is the policy purpose of SLA designation?What is the policy purpose of SLA designation?

– As an accoladeAs an accolade Is it a landscape which can be celebrated as part of Is it a landscape which can be celebrated as part of

Edinburgh’s identity?Edinburgh’s identity?– As a means to focus policies and objectivesAs a means to focus policies and objectives

Is this a landscape which needs to be protected?Is this a landscape which needs to be protected?– As a tool for managementAs a tool for management

Does this area need greater landscape management?Does this area need greater landscape management?

Undertaking the StudyUndertaking the Study

The Edinburgh Landscape Character AssessmentThe Edinburgh Landscape Character Assessment Purpose:Purpose: To undertake a landscape character assessment To undertake a landscape character assessment

of landscape within City of Edinburgh Council of landscape within City of Edinburgh Council including open spaces and the peri urban including open spaces and the peri urban environmentenvironment

Provide information to understand how Provide information to understand how Edinburgh’s landscape character may be Edinburgh’s landscape character may be conserved, enhanced or restructured as conserved, enhanced or restructured as appropriate.appropriate.

Provides a baseline to enable a systematic review Provides a baseline to enable a systematic review of local landscape designationsof local landscape designations

Undertaking the StudyUndertaking the Study

Edinburgh landscape character assessment Edinburgh landscape character assessment 15 landscape character types15 landscape character types 75 landscape character areas75 landscape character areas Description and summary of key Description and summary of key

characteristicscharacteristics Landscape assessment against set criteriaLandscape assessment against set criteria

– TypicalityTypicality– Rarity/uniquenessRarity/uniqueness– ProminenceProminence– Scenic qualitiesScenic qualities– EnjoymentEnjoyment– CultureCulture– NaturalnessNaturalness

Undertaking the Study Undertaking the Study Edinburgh Landscape Character Types and AreasEdinburgh Landscape Character Types and Areas

Undertaking the StudyUndertaking the Study

Identifying Edinburgh’s candidate Identifying Edinburgh’s candidate Special Landscape AreasSpecial Landscape Areas

Using the baseline of the landscape Using the baseline of the landscape descriptionsdescriptions in the landscape in the landscape character assessment;character assessment;

The character and qualities of the The character and qualities of the landscape are landscape are assessedassessed according according to agreed criteria to agreed criteria

Undertaking the studyUndertaking the studySLA Designation Criteria SLA Designation Criteria Edinburgh distinctiveness (weighted)Edinburgh distinctiveness (weighted) Relative merit Relative merit  Scenic quality (weighted)Scenic quality (weighted) Enjoyment (weighted)Enjoyment (weighted) CultureCulture NaturalnessNaturalness Geology and geomorphologyGeology and geomorphology Variations in quality informs boundary considerations (not scored) Variations in quality informs boundary considerations (not scored)  Association with adjoining character areasAssociation with adjoining character areas Importance of ConnectivityImportance of Connectivity Edinburgh specific qualities Edinburgh specific qualities  Contribution to historic coreContribution to historic core Contribution to setting of EdinburghContribution to setting of Edinburgh Key viewsKey views

Undertaking the studyUndertaking the study

SLA methodologySLA methodology The ratings of high, medium or low from The ratings of high, medium or low from

the evaluation tables are converted to the evaluation tables are converted to numeric scores to allow ranking of all numeric scores to allow ranking of all areas in relation to the designation areas in relation to the designation criteriacriteria

The candidate landscapes are The candidate landscapes are evaluatedevaluated for their value for designation and in terms for their value for designation and in terms of practical considerations, support from of practical considerations, support from CEC and the community, cross boundary CEC and the community, cross boundary issues and the candidate Special Landscape issues and the candidate Special Landscape Areas are refined and boundaries identified.Areas are refined and boundaries identified.

Undertaking the studyUndertaking the study

Discussion

FindingsFindings

FindingsFindings

Gains:Gains: Coastal edge at Crammond and South QueensferryCoastal edge at Crammond and South Queensferry Dundas (wider extent)Dundas (wider extent) Craigie HillCraigie Hill Upper AlmondUpper Almond Ratho HillsRatho Hills Gogar (wider extent)Gogar (wider extent) Lower Pentland slopes above Currie and BalernoLower Pentland slopes above Currie and Balerno Water of Leith (3 sections)Water of Leith (3 sections) Craigmillar CastleCraigmillar Castle The DrumThe Drum EdmonstoneEdmonstone Princes Street GardensPrinces Street Gardens Castle RockCastle Rock Inverleith Park and the Royal Botanic GardensInverleith Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens Calton HillCalton Hill

FindingsFindings

Losses:Losses: Silverknowes golf courseSilverknowes golf course Barnton golf courseBarnton golf course Davidson’s Mains (north of Corstorphine Hill)Davidson’s Mains (north of Corstorphine Hill) Lennie Hill and flanking farmland at CammoLennie Hill and flanking farmland at Cammo Carmel Hill and Humbie ReservoirCarmel Hill and Humbie Reservoir NewlistonNewliston Clifton School groundsClifton School grounds DalmahoyDalmahoy Ratho golf courseRatho golf course Dreghorn polo fieldsDreghorn polo fields

FindingsFindings

Statements of ImportanceStatements of Importance Structure and content:Structure and content: Location and boundariesLocation and boundaries OS grid referenceOS grid reference Landscape character areas within cSLALandscape character areas within cSLA Extent (ha)Extent (ha) Description of landscape characteristics and Description of landscape characteristics and

qualitiesqualities Potential pressures upon landscape integrityPotential pressures upon landscape integrity Enhancement potentialEnhancement potential Other designations/interestsOther designations/interests MapMap

FindingsFindings

BoundariesBoundaries Boundaries for consultation were Boundaries for consultation were

based on landscape character area based on landscape character area boundariesboundaries

Subsequent refinement is required to Subsequent refinement is required to ensure SLA boundaries are robust ensure SLA boundaries are robust and logicaland logical

FindingsFindings

Boundary decision rulesBoundary decision rules Identify where key characteristics of the Identify where key characteristics of the

landscape change and look to nearest physical landscape change and look to nearest physical boundaryboundary

Where there are variations in quality within a Where there are variations in quality within a LCA move inwards from areas of lower qualityLCA move inwards from areas of lower quality

Consider the role of the physical relationship of Consider the role of the physical relationship of the candidate area in relation to quality of other the candidate area in relation to quality of other adjacent LCAs and in creating a ‘logical’ and adjacent LCAs and in creating a ‘logical’ and cohesive area for designationcohesive area for designation..

FindingsFindings

Planning policy contextPlanning policy context Reviewed National Landscape PolicyReviewed National Landscape Policy Local Planning Policy within Local Planning Policy within

Edinburgh and neighbouring Edinburgh and neighbouring authorities authorities

Model policyModel policy

FindingsFindings

Other policy protection Other policy protection Edinburgh World Heritage SiteEdinburgh World Heritage Site Gardens and Designed LandscapesGardens and Designed Landscapes Conservation areasConservation areas Green BeltGreen Belt RecreationRecreation Nature ConservationNature Conservation

FindingsFindings

Planning Policy recommendation:Planning Policy recommendation: Generic Generic SLA protection policySLA protection policy, referring , referring

to interpretation of policy within context of to interpretation of policy within context of the information presented in the information presented in eacheach Statement of Importance Statement of Importance

Landscape character protection policyLandscape character protection policy Acknowledgement of Acknowledgement of links to other links to other

relevant policyrelevant policy (GDL, Conservation (GDL, Conservation Areas, recreational areas etc.)Areas, recreational areas etc.)

Potential role for Potential role for SPGSPG

FindingsFindings

DiscussionDiscussion

Summary of Consultation findingsSummary of Consultation findings

Summary of consultation findingsSummary of consultation findingsExternal commentsExternal comments Urban edge boundaries will reflect settlement boundaries, this Urban edge boundaries will reflect settlement boundaries, this

may include areas of land in private ownershipmay include areas of land in private ownership Support protection from development provided by designationSupport protection from development provided by designation No guidance provided on policy status of ‘de-designated’ landNo guidance provided on policy status of ‘de-designated’ land Comment on lack of comprehensive approach across SESplan areaComment on lack of comprehensive approach across SESplan area Comment on supposed lack of conformity with Comment on supposed lack of conformity with Guidance on Local Guidance on Local

Landscape DesignationsLandscape Designations Comment on inclusion of all of Corstorphine Hill, Mortonhall Comment on inclusion of all of Corstorphine Hill, Mortonhall

policies (included through association with Braid Hills), western policies (included through association with Braid Hills), western flanks of Pentlands (as part of Pentland Hills SLA), whole of The flanks of Pentlands (as part of Pentland Hills SLA), whole of The Drum due to variations in quality and Gogar as an SLADrum due to variations in quality and Gogar as an SLA

Summary of consultation findingsSummary of consultation findings

Internal comments:Internal comments: Relationship of Pentland Hills SLA Relationship of Pentland Hills SLA

with PHRP boundarywith PHRP boundary Inclusion of cultural heritage Inclusion of cultural heritage

importance in SIimportance in SI

Next steps

Address consultation comments Revise SLA boundaries Finalise Statements of Importance Prepare designation report

DiscussionDiscussion