At the time of the appointment, the planning policy context in the emerging South Oxfordshire Local Plan suggested that a Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study of the land in the immediate context to the main settlements within the Parish would be the most appropriate type of study to support the emerging Neighbourhood Plan.

The settlements of Aston Rowant and Kingston Blount are amongst some of the small ‘spring line’ settlements at the base of the scarp slope of the Chiltern Hills, the hills themselves being designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The settlements and surroundings are notable elements of the landscape linked historically, functionally and visually to the AONB and therefore were considered to lie within the setting to the AONB.  

AONBs are nationally designated landscapes, with the same level of protection as that afforded to National Parks. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) places great importance on recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside, outlining AONB’s as having the highest status of protection in relation to conserving and enhancing landscape and scenic beauty. The setting to designated landscapes is also subject to protection, as most recently, described in the Natural Environment Planning Practice Guidance.

Lepus Consulting prepared a Landscape Sensitivity and Capacity Study using a bespoke methodology based primarily on guidance provided in Natural England’s ‘An Approach to Landscape Character Assessment' and Topic Paper 6 ‘Techniques and Criteria for Judging Capacity and Sensitivity’. The assessment was undertaken at the ‘field parcel’ scale to identify the capacity of land within and surrounding the villages for small scale housing development in relation to effects on landscape character and views. In particular, the study identified those land parcels considered to form part of the setting to the Chiltern Hills AONB or land found to have a substantial role as open space within and surrounding the settlements for other reasons. 

The Aston Rowant Neighbourhood Development Plan is currently at the Pre-Submission stage of preparation. Lepus’ Landscape Study forms an Appendix to the Plan.