Introduction
Structure of the Report
The Report is set out in four volumes. Volume 1 brings together the results of the separate studies into the landscape, ecology, history and community perceptions. It summarises the Borough-wide characteristics of the landscape and the influences on the formation of the past and present landscape. It goes onto classify the Borough into twelve landscape character types (LCTs) which are defined by their overriding geology, landform, and landscape pattern. Each landscape character type is further classified into forty distinctive landscape character areas (LCAs) where local features define a specific identity.
Volume 1 is set out as follows:
Section One: Introduction sets out the background to the study, its objectives, a summary of the methodology and the structure of the Reports.
Section Two: Formative Influences on the Landscape sets out the main influences that have created the landscape we see today across Test Valley Borough. These include physical influences (geology, soils and agriculture, landform and hydrology, climate, ecology and vegetation) and the human influences (historic landscape character, historic settlement pattern, historical periods, cultural and community values). Social and economic influences are set out in the next section under Forces for Change.
Section Three: Forces for Change – Borough-wide identifies the main forces of change to the landscape of the Borough. It looks at the main aspects of national, regional and local policy and guidance that will affect the future of the countryside and looks in more detail at the main social and economic forces for change found to affect the Borough. This section has drawn extensively from national, county and local sources and from the responses of consultees. A bibliography of sources and list of consultees is to be found in Volume 4 (Appendices) of this report.
Section Four: The Character of the Test Valley sets out the characteristics for each landscape character type identifying the landscape, ecological historical and community perceptions and requirements for each type. These are key aspects that are common to all the character areas within the character type and are not repeated in the character area descriptions and guidelines. Each type is followed by the landscape character areas within that type with detailed assessment reflecting the distinctive characteristics of the particular area.
Volume 2 is set out as follows:
Section Five: Strategies and Guidelines for Landscape Character Areas sets out landscape strategies for each landscape character area and guidelines for land management and the built form.
Volume 3 contains the ‘Report on Community and Stakeholder Involvement in the Landscape Character Assessment Process,’ and examines the benefits and advantages of the methodology adopted for this study.
Volume 4 contains the supporting appendices and includes a bibliography, Historic Landscape Character Assessment, ecological study and methodology.