Local landscape character assessment: An evaluation of community-led schemes in cheshire

Planning, especially with the increasing prominence given to community involvement, is a key vehicle for delivering sustainable development. Between 2003 and 2005 two community groups in Cheshire wrote parish landscape character assessments. The completed assessments were combined with an appropriate village design statement and subsequently approved as Supplementary Planning Guidance by Chester City and Vale Royal District Councils respectively. The experiences of these groups are critically appraised against the project aims, tangible and not-tangible costs and criteria relating to the enhancement of community engagement in sustainable development practice. The evaluation highlights the importance of the process as well as the product, the financial costs involved, the volunteer time commitment required, the skills required in the community, the issues associated with data acquisition and the importance of building a strong, open partnership between local authorities and the local community. These findings have relevance to others involved in community-led initiatives.