Criteria for reaction
The County Committee has drawn up this list of criteria against which to test a major development in rural Northumberland. The criteria relate to the evaluation of the existing landscape in the vicinity of a proposal; its character, wildlife and cultural associations – in short its significance in its present form before development starts.
Landscape as a resource
The landscape should be a resource of at least regional importance in terms of rarity and representativeness.
Scenic character
The landscape should be of high scenic quality with pleasing patterns and combinations of features and dramatic contrasts with clear aesthetic qualities.
Unspoilt Character
The landscape should be unspoilt by large-scale visually intrusive infrastructure or industrial and urban development.
Sense of place
The landscape should have a recognisably unified character including topographic and visual unity and local distinctiveness.
Harmony with Nature
The landscape should demonstrate a harmonious interaction between man and Nature, based on sustainable land-use practices capable of maintaining a diversity of habitat over time.
Cultural resources
Where landscape contains buildings and other structures and man-made features of historical and archaeological interest their integrity and local distinctiveness should be apparent. A landscape rich in undisturbed archaeological features may need special expertise to evaluate and interpret.
Consensus
There should be a consensus among professional and informed public opinion as to the cultural and landscape importance of the area affected by proposed development, for example through association with painting or writing about the landscape or through local long-standing appreciation of it from popular view points or walks.
Impact
There should be a clear view that the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the character of the area in question diminishing its scale or invading its tranquility measured against the criteria set out above.
County Committee
February 2010
