Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment

The technique of landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) is used to assess the effects of change on the landscape.  For example, a new road or windfarm proposal, or a plan for forest felling and restocking.  It is used to help locate and design the proposed change, so that negative landscape effects are avoided, reduced or offset. The two aspects of the assessment - landscape and visual effects - are independent but related.

For more information, Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (2nd edition)    is the most authoritative, widely recognised and adopted guide for the technique and is recommended as good practice by all relevant professional Institutes.

LVIA is usually part of an the Environmental Assessmentof a development when there are likely to be negative effects on landscape.  For more information see Scottish Natural Heritage's Environmental Assessment Handbook.