Sustainability Appraisal of the Sandwell Local Plan 2024-2041

12 Landscape

12.1 Introduction

12.1.1 At the European, national, regional and local levels emphasis is placed on the protection of landscape as an essential component of people's surroundings and sense of place. Landscape is described as comprising natural, cultural, social, aesthetic and perceptual elements. This includes flora, fauna, soils, land use, settlement, sight, smells and sound[98].

12.1.2 Various PPPs seek to increase recognition of the relationships between the different aspects of landscapes including but not limited to local distinctiveness, the historic environment, natural resources, farming and forestry, education, leisure and recreation, transport and infrastructure, and nature conservation.

12.1.3 National Design Guidance[99] advocates well-designed places that are functional, attractive and provide a sense of safety, inclusion and community cohesion. Landscape also links closely with GI, with well-managed GI networks providing multi-functional benefits including improving the health of people and wildlife.

12.2 Baseline and key issues

Green Belt

12.2.1 Sandwell is highly urbanised, with only a small extent of Green Belt land situated to the north east of the SLP area comprising the Sandwell Valley, forming part of the Green Belt surrounding the West Midlands Conurbation. Although Green Belt itself is not necessarily of high landscape value, it often serves to protect the character and setting of historic towns and support landscape-scale biodiversity networks. New development could potentially increase noise and light pollution and reduce the perception of tranquillity in some areas.

12.2.2 Whilst the Green Belt is not a statutory landscape designation, it is a significant element of landscape protection in the area. The Green Belt is intended to[100]:

• check the unrestricted sprawl of larger built-up areas;
• prevent neighbouring towns from merging into one another;
• assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
• preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
• assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.

12.2.3 As part of the evidence base for the former BCP, the Green Belt Study[101] classified parcels of Green Belt land into different 'harm' ratings, based on the assessment of potential harm caused by removing each parcel from the Green Belt based on a range of criteria (see Figure 12.1). Appropriate areas of the Green Belt which can support a limited amount of development will be identified through using the findings of the Green Belt Study, where identified housing requirements cannot be met within existing urban areas.

Landscape character and sensitivity

12.2.4 The Black Country Landscape Sensitivity Assessment[102] assessed the sensitivity of Green Belt land to housing and commercial development. The aim of the study was to identify the extent to which the character and quality of Green Belt land is susceptible to change as a result of future development. Parcels of land were classified ranging from 'high' to 'low' sensitivity (see Figure 12.2).

12.2.5 It should be noted that although there is a relationship between the Landscape Sensitivity Assessment and the Green Belt Harm Assessment, the Green Belt Study states that "there are fundamental distinctions in the purposes of the two assessments, reflecting the fact that landscape quality is not a relevant factor in determining the contribution to Green Belt purposes, or harm to those purposes resulting from the release of land".

Figure 12.2: Landscape Sensitivity within and around the SLP area (source: LUC)

Townscape character

12.2.6 Townscapes can be defined as "the landscape within the built-up area, including the buildings, the relationship between them, the different types of urban open spaces, including green spaces and the relationship between buildings and open spaces"[103].

12.2.7 The character of townscapes interacts strongly with cultural heritage aspects (see Chapter 10). The Black Country HLC Study[104] identifies 15 Character Areas within Sandwell. The area's history and industrial legacy provides distinctive character and a sense of local identity, but can also present challenges in terms of maintaining and enhancing the local character when historic buildings are no longer in active use.

12.2.8 The emerging SLP should seek to embed the priorities of the Sandwell Regeneration Strategy 2022 - 2027[105] which aspires to rejuvenate Sandwell, boosting the economy and improving quality of life for residents and visitors, whilst remaining in keeping with its history.

12.3 Impacts on landscape

12.3.1 Box 12.1 presents a plan-wide summary of the adverse impacts on landscape that have been identified through the SA process. These adverse impacts are those identified prior to mitigation considerations.

Box 12.1: Summary of identified impacts on landscape

12.4 Local Plan mitigation

12.4.1 The spatial strategy for Sandwell sets out the aim to deliver the majority of new development on previously developed land and sites within the urban area, as well as protecting areas of landscape value. However, to meet the identified housing requirements, a large proportion of growth is allocated on previously undeveloped land. Various SLP policies aim to protect and, where appropriate, enhance the local character and distinctiveness of Sandwell's landscapes and townscapes. These policies are discussed in Box 12.2.

Box 12.2: Mitigating effects of the Local Plan policies on landscape

12.5 Residual effects on landscape

12.5.1 The SLP sets out numerous policies which will be expected to help mitigate potential adverse impacts of the proposed development on the landscape, as set out in Box 12.2. As discussed in Box 12.3, these policies are expected to be sufficient in mitigating any residual impacts on landscape.

Box 12.3: Residual effects for landscape