Landscape and Scenery

Some of Edinburgh 's most distinctive landscapes are protected by local landscape designations or planning policies which apply to gardens and designed landscape.

Elsewhere, the value of Edinburgh 's wider landscape setting is recognised through a range of policies which manage change in the built and natural environment and promote high standards of design.  These are set out in the Local Plans and planning guidance.

Describing landscape character and visual change can assist in the preparation of development plans, planning applications and management proposals, as explained below.

Landscape Character Assessment

Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is the tool used to define existing landscapes.  Objectives can then be set for landscape protection, management or future change.

The Edinburgh Landscape Character Assessment describes the character of the landscape surrounding the city.  See the Map of Landscape Character Types in Edinburgh for more information.

The wider context for Edinburgh 's landscape character is set out in the Lothians Landscape Character Assessment (1998).  Landscape character assessment may also draw upon Historic Landuse.

Views and visibility

Visual Assessment identifies views within the landscape, explains the visibility of land or features, and describes the change in the appearance of the landscape that new development or land management may cause.

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), is a component of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).  An EIA may be required for planning applications, to ensure the environmental impacts of development are identified and assessed.

The Council also has a guideline for the Protection of Key Views, which is supplementary to Local Development Plan policies and seeks to conserve and enhance the city's skyline.