All decisions we make about developments (including planning applications, minerals and waste plans, and restoration plans) must consider the impact on the countryside and local communities.
Developments should be well designed to reduce their effect on the landscape and views. For example, how can a quarry grow over time or expand into new areas while keeping its impact low?
Design work linked to new road projects, and our role in delivering these schemes, is now making a big positive difference to how Staffordshire’s roads look.
Planning guidance
We have carried out an important study of the Staffordshire landscape. The land has been divided into areas with similar features, called landscape character types.
We assessed the quality of these landscapes and used the results to create extra planning guidance. This guidance helps support the planning process.
'Planning for landscape change' supplementary planning guidance
These documents are mainly for planning officers working on the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent development plan. They are also for developers and others who need to understand policies and practices for protecting, improving, and regenerating rural landscapes.
The guidance was first created to support the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Structure Plan. Although that plan has been revoked, the Joint Waste Local Plan (2010–2026), adopted in March 2013, still requires consideration of landscape change or its successor document. This will remain an important factor in planning decisions.
The guidance can also be useful more broadly, helping inform other decisions about land use and land management.
The full supplementary planning guidance comprises:
Introduction and user's guide (volume 1) (PDF, 1.4 MB)
An introduction to Planning for Landscape Change. This is supplementary planning guidance that explains what it is and how to use it.
Supporting documentation (volume 2) (PDF, 1.7 MB)
An explanation of how the maps and landscape descriptions for Planning for Landscape Change were created. This covers the basis of the supplementary planning guidance and how the guidance was developed.
Landscape descriptions (volume 3) (PDF, 4.7 MB)
A collection of detailed descriptions of Staffordshire’s landscape character. These provide guidance on policies and practices for protecting, improving, and regenerating rural landscapes. They are also useful more widely for informing decisions about land use and land management.
Maps and plans (appendix 1) (PDF, 4.5 MB)
A set of maps and plans showing the following:
- A map showing the landscape policy zones in Staffordshire. These zones indicate the areas where specific landscape policy objectives apply.
- A map showing the different landscape character types across Staffordshire. It illustrates the distribution of the various distinct landscapes found within the county.
- A map showing the nine regional character areas in and around Staffordshire. These areas were identified by the former Countryside Commission and English Nature.
- A schematic diagram showing how landscape planning objectives were developed. It illustrates the methodology used to create these objectives.
Preferred areas for woodland initiatives (appendix 2) (PDF, 6.1 MB)
A document indicating the areas that are preferred for targeting resources for woodland initiatives, including new planting and management.
Please note
Landscape character and landscape policy mapping is available to view in more detail. (Maps and plans can be used subject to the Ordnance Survey terms and conditions).
If you require further information please contact us: