Introduction
In February 2003, Kirkham Landscape Planning Consultants (KLPC) in association with Gifford and Partners and Countryscape, were commissioned by Hampshire County Council, in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council and the Countryside Agency, to carry out a comprehensive integrated landscape character assessment of Test Valley Borough, known as the Test Valley Community Landscape Project. An important part of the study was to apply and test a new method of approach to involving both those bodies with a specific interest in the landscape, “‘communities of interest’, and the local communities that live, work and play in our rural areas, ‘communities of place’, in classifying and shaping the past, present and future character of our landscapes.
In February 2003, Miller Associates Ltd, social research consultants, were also appointed to facilitate focus group meetings and workshops for members of the local communities of Test Valley, working closely with Hampshire County Council and KLPC throughout the project to refine the methodology.
This report sets out the results of the study and is prepared by KLPC in conjunction with Miller Associates Ltd.
KLPC have produced a separate report, the Test Valley Community Landscape Project: Landscape Character Assessment. March 2004, which incorporates the contributions made by both ‘communities’. An earlier report, Focus Group Findings May 2003, was prepared by Miller Associates Ltd, recording the results of the focus group meetings. Transcriptions of the facilitated sessions that took place during the community workshop held on November 15th were also supplied to inform this Report.
Copies of the following documents can be obtained from Test Valley Borough Council, Duttons Road, Romsey, Hampshire:
Test Valley Community Landscape Project: Landscape Character Assessment, March 2004
Draft Summary for Consultation, October 2003
Focus Group Findings, May 2003