Policy ENV3: Local Views and Vistas

61. Broadland District is predominantly rural, covering an area of 213 square miles to the North of the City of Norwich, Norfolk. It embraces large areas of low-lying arable land and, to a lesser extent, pasture farmland. It also contains numerous woodlands and plantations along the areas of historic parkland. The main purpose of the Broadland Landscape Character Assessment Study (BLCA) is to evaluate the quality of the landscape to inform a review of the existing boundaries of areas of important landscape quality designated in the then Local Plan. The main aim of the Study is to provide an up-to-date integrated assessment of the landscape character of the district, reviewing the existing landscape character assessment, in accordance with current guidance and best practice, and highlights the importance of landscape character.
62. As a result of the BLCA study Landscape Planning Guidelines apply to Horsford Woodland Heath Mosaic Landscape Character Area as follows:
    • Seek to ensure the sensitive location of development involving tall structures (such as telecommunication masts and wind turbine for example) in relation to prominent wooded skyline locations both within the area and within adjacent character areas;
    • Seek to conserve the landscape setting of seventeenth and eighteenth century estates;
    • Seek to ensure any new development considers the effect on wide and expansive views from the edge of this area to the Bure valley;
    • Seek to conserve the sparse settlement pattern characteristic of the area;
    • Seek to ensure that potential new developments comprise a fully integrated landscape and urban design strategy, which is consistent with the local landscape character and screen existing and potential harsh settlement edges.
63. Particular open and framed views over the countryside from the edges of the urban element of the village as well as particular lanes or heritage assets are all important in defining the character of the Parish and are valued by local people as indicated during consultations. Contributing, significantly, to the village’s distinctive character and identity, and to the lives and social cohesion of those who live or visit the village. Within Horsford there is a strongly recognisable sense of place as a result of views to adjacent Landscape Character. This policy is supported by the Broadland Landscape Character Assessment.
64. The following views, as listed in the policy, are of particular importance to the village of Horsford:

i. Green Lane Pit towards the Cromer Road;

ii. Green Lane looking northeast towards the rifle range and Horsford Woods;

iii. View from Gordon Godfrey Estate to Dog Lane

iv. View from Mill Lane East towards Horsford Woods

65. The views shown above are of particular community significance. To contribute to the rural village feel, residents need to maintain a connection with the countryside within the Parish and beyond. The policy therefore retains this policy from the made Neighbourhood Plan (previously Policy ENV4) which identifies two views from public vantage points, adding an additional two views in the Parish that are considered an important element of preserving the character of the village and the surrounding landscape. Development proposals are expected to accord with national policy provisions on creating well-designed places and improving the natural environment which currently includes National Policies N.2.1.d which states that proposals should “Conserve and enhance existing natural features of visual, historic or nature conservation value (such as established trees and hedgerows) wherever possible; and use appropriate landscaping to help create a well-designed place and integrate the development into its surroundings;” and DP3.1 which states “respond to their context (the history, character and features of the site and its setting), so that they can integrate into and enhance their surroundings (such as through the arrangement of development plots and buildings, the use of materials and architectural features, and the restoration, reuse and integration of heritage assets). This should not preclude innovation or change where appropriate, especially where an increased scale or density of development is justified in accordance with policies L2 and L3;”.
66. New development can have a significant and detrimental visual impact upon such views and vistas, so any proposals should give consideration to the visual impact of any development, protecting that which is valued. New developments should be encouraged to maintain the rural feel and connection with the countryside. Ensuring key sight-lines, particularly any design element safeguards these views and preserves the vistas as it is highly likely that any building would harm and block or obscure vistas or have an adverse effect to the environment. The location of these views are clearly shown on the Policies Map.