Which service do I need for my project?

It depends on the scale of your proposal and the sensitivity of the landscape setting. A desktop Landscape Technical Note is proportionate for householder applications, pre-application advice or where the LPA requires a brief written note. A Landscape and Visual Impact Appraisal suits smaller applications in moderately sensitive settings. A full LVIA is required for larger schemes or those in Green Belt, National Landscape, National Park, or other sensitive settings. We will advise on the right scope at no cost once we know your project.

What is the difference between an LVIA and a TVIA?

An LVIA assesses effects on landscape character and visual amenity in predominantly rural or rural-fringe settings. A TVIA applies the same GLVIA3 methodology in urban or urban-fringe contexts, where townscape character, the historic environment and street-scene amenity are the primary considerations. Some sites need both.

Are your assessments GLVIA3 compliant?

Yes. Every assessment we deliver is prepared in full accordance with the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (GLVIA3, Landscape Institute and IEMA, 3rd Edition, 2013), the recognised best-practice methodology for LVIA and TVIA work in England, Scotland and Wales.

Can you assess proposals inside National Landscapes and National Parks?

Yes. We have extensive experience preparing LVIAs in or affecting the setting of designated landscapes including the Chilterns, Cotswolds, Mendip Hills, Quantock Hills, North Wessex Downs, South Downs National Park, Exmoor National Park and others. We are familiar with the relevant management plans, special qualities statements, and policy tests that apply.

How long does an assessment take?

Our standard programme is a minimum of 15 working days from instruction to delivery of a draft report. Faster turnarounds are sometimes possible where capacity allows — please flag your deadline at enquiry stage.

Do you also provide landscape plans and management plans?

Yes. We prepare illustrative and detailed landscape plans (planting schedules, boundary treatments and hard landscape specifications) and 15-year Landscape and Ecological Management Plans (LEMPs) for the discharge of planning conditions, often integrated with our LVIA mitigation strategies.

LVIA, TVIA & Landscape Services | The Landscape Workshop

We specialise in landscape, townscape and visual impact assessment — and the depth of work behind every report is what sets us apart. Every assessment is prepared by a Chartered Landscape Architect, follows the GLVIA3 methodology in full, and is built to stand up to scrutiny from planning officers, inspectors and third-party reviewers. Click any card below to flip it and see what's included.

01

Landscape Technical Notes

A concise desktop assessment of landscape and visual matters, without fieldwork. Ideal for pre-application advice, householder schemes, or where a written note is sufficient to satisfy validation.

£750 (+VAT)

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Landscape Technical Notes

When you need this

Householder or minor planning applications
Pre-application advice or validation

What's included

Desktop policy and designation review
Landscape Character Assessment review
Brief written assessment of likely effects

You receive

5–15 page technical note (PDF)

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02

LVAs & LVIAs

Proportionate Landscape and Visual Appraisals through to full GLVIA3-compliant LVIAs and EIA chapters. The right depth of assessment for your application.

£1,950 (+VAT)

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LVAs & LVIAs

When you need this

Minor development through to medium and large-scale residential, commercial and agricultural schemes
Sites within or adjacent to National Landscapes (AONBs), Green Belt, Conservation Areas and National Parks
Where the LPA requires landscape evidence to validate
EIA developments under the 2017 Regulations
Night-time visual assessments where lighting is a planning issue

What's included

Site survey and Type 1 viewpoint photography
Baseline character and policy study
Sensitivity and magnitude assessment per GLVIA3
Cumulative impacts and clear mitigation strategy
ZTV analysis where appropriate
Night-time photography under TGN 06/19 where required

You receive

Main A4 report + A3 appendix (PDF)
Methodologically robust, clearly presented and able to stand up to scrutiny at planning and appeal

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03

TVIAs

Specialist TVIAs for urban and urban-fringe sites. Townscape character, heritage setting, visual receptor analysis and sequential views — the same GLVIA3 rigour, applied to the urban context.

£2,950 (+VAT)

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TVIAs

When you need this

Urban or urban-fringe development
Conservation Area or heritage setting proposals
Tall buildings, infill sites and city-edge schemes

What's included

Townscape character baseline
Viewpoint photography from agreed locations
Assessment of effects per GLVIA3 methodology

You receive

Main A4 report + A3 appendix (PDF)

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04

Landscape Plans

Illustrative and detailed landscape plans to accompany planning applications or discharge conditions — planting schedules, boundary treatments, hard landscape specifications.

£800 (+VAT)

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Landscape Plans

When you need this

To support a planning application
To discharge a landscape planning condition
As mitigation identified in an LVIA
Schemes from individual properties to large residential or commercial developments

Our planting approach

We select the right plants for the right place — from a fully native scheme to tie into ecological requirements and local character, to a mix of native and ornamental species for an attractive look and feel, to a fully ornamental scheme where the location calls for it. We are experienced with difficult site conditions and varied maintenance and budget requirements.

What's included

Illustrative landscape masterplan
Detailed planting schedule (species, sizes, densities)
Boundary treatments and hard landscape specifications
Coordinated with our LVIA mitigation strategy

You receive

Plan drawings and planting schedule (PDF)

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05

Landscape Management Plans

15-year Landscape and Ecological Management Plans (LEMPs) for the discharge of planning conditions — covering establishment, long-term maintenance, and integration with ecology surveys.

£650 (+VAT)

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Landscape Management Plans

When you need this

Discharge of planning conditions requiring an LMP or LEMP
To secure long-term landscape mitigation
Where ecological features need integrated management

The 15-year structure

The first 5 years focus on establishment — making sure new planting takes hold. The following 10 years cover ongoing maintenance and management to keep the landscape performing as intended.

What's included

Landscape vision and management objectives for both hard and soft landscape
5-year establishment programme + 10-year maintenance plan
Schedule of inspection visits and review points
Mowing, pruning, watering, pest, disease and weed control
Cross-referenced with Phase 1 ecology surveys for integration
Combined Landscape and Ecological Management Plans (LEMPs) where required

You receive

Full LMP or LEMP report (PDF)

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06

Not sure what you need?

Tell us about your site and proposal — we'll advise on the appropriate scope at no cost. Whether that's a quick desktop note or a full EIA chapter, you'll get a fixed fee within one working day.

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Methodology

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment Process and Scope

Every assessment we deliver follows this nine-stage GLVIA3-compliant process, from scoping through to final report.

Step 1: Scoping

This stage sets out the study area as well as likely key issues in respect of the most relevant likely effects. Stakeholders and planning authorities may be consulted to agree the scope and viewpoints.

Step 2: Baseline Study

The landscape and visual baseline within the study area are mapped and recorded through research, noting landscape character, designations, key features and policies applicable. Similar or relevant planning applications in the study area are highlighted.

Step 3: Zone of Theoretical Visibility

A ZTV model is developed showing the potential areas from where the development may be visible. Viewpoint locations are marked.

Step 4: Site Visit

The site is visited to record land use, condition and any features as well as views towards the development. The site visit explores the study area and captures the viewpoints identified on the ZTV.

Step 5: Assessment of Effects

Potential changes to the landscape and views are predicted, evaluating impacts during construction and operation phases. The effects are judged based on the magnitude of change and sensitivity of the landscape and visual receptors.

Step 6: Cumulative Impacts

Cumulative impacts arising from similar consented schemes within the study area are assessed where relevant.

Step 7: Mitigation Measures

Strategies to reduce negative impacts, such as mitigation planting, are developed.

Step 8: Residual Effects

After mitigation, the remaining impacts are assessed.

Step 9: Report

The report compiles the research and survey data, concludes key aspects: site description, landscape and visual baseline, appraisal / assessment judgements and where applicable suggested mitigation actions.

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Recent work

A snapshot of what we deliver

From single sensitive sites in National Landscapes to major multi-phase EIA schemes.

Malvern Hills

A comprehensive country-house refurbishment in the Malvern Hills National Landscape. Full LVIA covering baseline character, viewpoint photography from public rights of way, and an embedded mitigation strategy for its protected setting.

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North-west Essex

A large multi-phase residential development on the rural fringe of north-west Essex. Full LVIA chapter covering construction, year-1 and year-15 conditions, cumulative impacts and a 15-year landscape mitigation strategy.

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Common questions

Service FAQs

To prepare a proposal we need: the site address or location plan, a brief description of the proposed development, the planning stage (pre-application, application, or appeal), and any drawings or supporting documents that exist. To start the assessment itself we need access to the site, the application package (proposed plans, design and access statement, any other supporting reports such as ecology or arboriculture), and confirmation of the planning authority. The more we can read upfront, the more grounded our baseline is.
We follow a clear nine-stage GLVIA3-compliant process: scoping, baseline study, ZTV analysis, site visit, assessment of effects, cumulative impacts, mitigation measures, residual effects, and reporting. After scoping with you, we carry out the desktop and policy work, visit the site and capture viewpoint photography, write the assessment, share a draft for your review, and then issue the final report. You can see the full diagram further up this page.
Yes — for every LVA, LVIA and TVIA. The Chartered Landscape Architect writing your report visits the site personally, walks the agreed viewpoints, captures Type 1 viewpoint photography, and records the conditions on the ground. The only exception is the Landscape Technical Note service, which is a desktop product without fieldwork.
Yes. We always issue a draft report for your review and comment before the final version is delivered. One round of revisions is included as standard. Substantive scope changes (additional viewpoints, new development information, etc.) are quoted separately so you stay in control of the cost.
Our standard programme is a minimum of 15 working days from instruction to draft delivery. If your deadline is tighter, please flag this at enquiry stage and we will be honest about what is achievable. Where capacity allows, we can move faster — but we never compromise on the depth of the baseline work.
Every report is written by a Chartered Landscape Architect (CMLI) with over twenty years of experience. There is no account manager, no junior, no subcontracting. The person you speak to on the phone is the same person who visits your site and writes your report — and signs it off.
Yes. On payment of the final invoice you have full rights to use the report and its photographs in connection with the planning application or appeal it was prepared for. We retain the right to reference the work as a credit and within our own portfolio (anonymised if you prefer).

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