Appendix One Appendix One Landscape Areas of Outstanding Landscape Value: Criteria for Selection The dimensions of landscape are landscape character and landscape quality . The analysis of landscape character and quality draws heavily on the visual assessment of particular localities in the Sounds carried out in 1989 and 1990 by the Department of Conservation and in particular, Earl H. Bennett (see references). Landscape Character Landscape character can be described and used as a record of what is seen in the environment. It gives the place identity and makes it distinctive. Rather than classifying whether one landscape is better than another, character describes the landform and land cover elements that make up the landscape. It can provide a basis for the comparison of landscapes and can distinguish different landscape areas. An assessment of the landscape character may identify distinctive landscapes and how changes are most likely to alter the character of any particular landscape. By delineation of the landscape into individual units of landscape type it may be possible to identify the dominant character of a particular landscape. This can assist by providing a clear point of reference (a description of landscape type or feature) against which land use proposals can be assessed. Descriptions of landscape character can be divided into the land component and the coastal segments of the landscape unit. The land component is the wider landform and land cover of the landscape unit. The coastal segments are smaller units, usually a narrow band along the land/water edge. The key expressions of landscape character are: 1 for m = the overall shape of the landscape; the sense of scale; the degree of enclosure or openness apparent to the eye; the cross-section created by significant landforms; the volume or shape of any significant formations or features. 2 lin e = trace of a point moving through space; commonly an edge which is perceived where two elements or planes meet; a line can occur along skylines (between sky and landform); along ridgelines (between landforms and backdrop); along shorelines. 3 textu re = the nature of the surface of the landscape; the density of the land cover; the effect of light and shade on land cover and landform; the way individual land surfaces are broken up by vegetation, erosion scarring, rock outcrops or run-off channels; the way the surface of water is affected by tide, rocks, seaweed or wind; the sea bed beneath the water described in terms of smoothness or roughness. 4 patte rn = the way in which features, land cover, form or line are arranged; the series of repetitions of arrangement which establish a pattern over the landscape; the landscape or waterscape could be entirely without pattern - random; or could have a highly regular pattern and appear highly arranged. App One - 1