Landscape and the Countryside

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Structure Plan Chapter 3 - Caring for the Environment

3.3 - Landscape and the Countryside

3.3.1: There is a range of planning designations aimed at protecting the area's rich and attractive landscape. Large parts of Stirling and Clackmannanshire are covered by national and regional landscape designations. W ithin these, priority must be given to landscape quality, and any new developments will require to be sensitively sited and designed. National Scenic Areas (NSA) have been identified by Scottish Natural Heritage on the basis of their outstanding landscape value. Areas of Great Landscape Value (AG LV) can be designated through Development Plans. Their detailed boundaries are defined and kept under review within Local Plans.
3.3.2: The Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage are undertaking a national review of the current range of landscape designations. Until this review is finalised, it would be premature for the Structure Plan to reassess the existing designations. The Councils consider that there is a continuing role for a hierarchy of national and local landscape quality designations, and that these will be a useful tool for the National Park Authority when considering development and conservation priorities within different areas of the Park. Accordingly the NSAs and AGLVs are retained and their protection will be continued.
3.3.3: NPPG14 also states the importance of protecting and enhancing landscape outside of the designated areas. Landscape Character Assessments (LCA) have been undertaken under the auspices of Scottish Natural Heritage for the whole of the Structure Plan area. These provide information on the character of the countryside, identify the pressures that are being exerted and provide guidelines as to how the Councils can guide new development to the most appropriate locations. Additional work which translates LCAs into a local form has been undertaken for certain areas. This has influenced the Locational Strategy and will be used in the identification of development sites in Local Plans. The availability of LCAs will assist the protection and enhancement of the overall quality of the area's landscape. They will also be useful when boundaries of AGLVs are reviewed.
3.3.4: In providing for new development in Local Plans and through planning permissions, particular care will be taken to conserve features that contribute to local distinctiveness, including the setting of settlements, the pattern of woodland, trees, fields and hedgerows, the special qualities of rivers, burns, valleys and glens and skyline and hill features including prominent views.

Policy ENV2 - Protected Landscapes

In National Scenic Areas development will only be permitted where there is a specific site requirement for the development which could not be met in a less sensitive location, and where the nationally important landscape character and scenic interest of the designated area would not be adversely affected. Developments which are approved will be expected to satisfy particularly rigorous quality standards.
In Areas of Great Landscape Value development will only be permitted if it satisfies the requirements of Policy ENV3 and can be accommodated without adversely affecting the overall quality of the designated landscape area.

Policy ENV3 - Development in the Countryside

In areas of Countryside, as defined in Local Plans, development will only be permitted where:

The proposed enterprise or activity is dependent upon a countryside location; or
It accords with Policy ED4.
All development in the Countryside should, both in function, siting and design, be suitable for its particular location, and should respect and preserve features contributing to local character. Proposals satisfying these criteria should where possible re-use redundant vernacular buildings.

See also: SD 1; ENV 2; ENV 4 ; ENV 5; ENV 6; H 5; H 6; ED 4