Heritage & townscape

Townscape and Visual Impact Assessments

Evidence explaining how a proposal relates to its surroundings and key views.

When this service may be useful

Townscape and visual evidence is useful where a proposal’s scale, form or visibility could affect its surroundings. It helps explain changes to the character of a place and to views experienced by different people.

How the work is approached

We agree the study area, baseline and relevant viewpoints with the project team. The assessment considers the proposal in its context and explains the basis for conclusions. Required visualisations, verified views or additional specialist methods are identified in the scope.

What you receive

You receive the agreed assessment and viewpoint evidence. The number of views, level of visualisation and assessment method depend on the project and should be confirmed before work starts.

What we need to start

Proposed massing, site context and relevant viewpoints.

We review the site, proposal and planning stage to agree the appropriate scope. Specialist surveys and assessments are coordinated where needed.

How our planning consultancy process works

ILLUSTRATIVE REPORT PREVIEW

Townscape & Visual Assessment

Front cover and contents page examples. The document structure is tailored to your instruction, site and relevant planning requirements.

Townscape & Visual Assessment illustrative front cover
Front cover
Townscape & Visual Assessment illustrative contents page
Contents page

What the report should contain

This outline explains the purpose of each section. The final contents depend on the agreed scope, available evidence and requirements of the local planning authority.

  1. Document control & executive summary

    Project details, reference, revision, date, author, reviewer and a concise summary of the key findings.

  2. Scope, method & study area

    Set out the agreed assessment extent and proportionate methodology.

  3. Baseline townscape character

    Describe character areas, built form, landscape and key features.

  4. Visual receptors & viewpoints

    Identify viewers, routes and representative viewpoints.

  5. Proposal & assessment scenarios

    Describe massing and the existing, proposed and cumulative scenarios where relevant.

  6. Sensitivity assessment

    Explain receptor value and susceptibility using the selected methodology.

  7. Townscape effects

    Assess changes to character, form, skyline and local relationships.

  8. Visual effects

    Assess changes to representative views, with images and limitations identified.

  9. Mitigation & residual effects

    Explain design changes and the remaining effects; EIA significance where applicable.

  10. Appendices & evidence register

    Index relevant plans, photographs, calculations, surveys and source documents; include only the evidence relevant to this instruction.

Read our planning supporting documents guide to explore related evidence.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Townscape & visual assessments FAQs

Clear answers to help you plan your next step.

Still have a question?

Tell us about the site and we will confirm what is needed and what it should cost.

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Are verified photomontages included?

Only where specified in the scope. We agree the viewpoints, assessment method and required visual material before work starts. Additional verified views or design scenarios can change the fee and programme.

What information should I provide to get started?

Proposed massing, site context and relevant viewpoints.

How is the fee for this service confirmed?

The price shown is a starting estimate for the stated scope. We review the site, proposal, available information and required deliverables, then confirm the fee, exclusions and programme in a written quotation before appointment.

How do your specialists work together on a project?

We bring the relevant planning consultants and specialist providers into a coordinated project team. They work from an agreed brief and current proposal, with dependencies and design changes discussed across disciplines. Each consultant remains responsible for their own professional advice and agreed deliverables.

PART OF A COORDINATED APPOINTMENT

Your specialist evidence, connected.

This service can form part of a wider coordinated planning appointment. We bring the relevant consultants together to work alongside your design team, discuss assessment findings and identify how recommendations affect other reports and the proposal.

Your fee proposal confirms who prepares each document, the information it relies on and the limits of the instruction. A report provides evidence for the council’s assessment; the planning decision remains the council’s. Explore how our consultants work together or discuss the team your project needs.

YOUR NEXT STEP

Discuss your requirements.

Tell us about the site, what you want to achieve and any deadline. We will review it and suggest an appropriate next step.

Call 020 8004 4464 or email info@greencodeconsultants.com.

Make an enquiry