Visual Impact Assessment Consultancy

Sweco’s landscape architecture experts can carry out thorough Visual Impact Assessments to paint a full picture of your development and how it will affect a proposed site and its surroundings.

A Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) evaluates how a proposed development or change in the built or natural environment will be perceived from key viewpoints and across the surrounding landscape or townscape.

VIAs combine technical analysis, geospatial data capture and analysis, photographic and digital visualisations, and clear professional judgement to describe the magnitude of change, the sensitivity of receptors (people, communities, assets), and the resulting significance of any activity. Assessments – from desk- to field-based – support planning applications, design development, stakeholder engagement and decision-making.

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA)

What is an LVIA?

A Landscape VIA focuses on how a proposal will affect broader landscape character and the visual experience across rural, coastal and peri-urban settings. It considers both scenic composition and landscape character — how the addition will sit within landform, vegetation, skylines and distant views.

Key questions our Landscape and visual impact assessment consultants can answer

1. From which locations will the proposal be visible (and to what degree)?
2. How will views and landscape character change for residents, recreational users and road/rail users?
3. Is the proposal likely to be perceived as dominant, intrusive, or assimilated into the landscape?
4. What are reasonable, design-led mitigation options to reduce visual harm?

What does a LVIA involve?

1. Desk review of landscape character assessments and local planning policy
2. Site survey and systematically photographed viewpoints (winter and summer if needed)
3. Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) / viewshed mapping
4. Wireline drawings and verified photomontages from agreed representative viewpoints
5. Landscape character and visual receptor sensitivity assessment
6. Sequential assessments for linear transport corridors (where relevant)

Output

1. Illustrated baseline (maps, landscape character summary)
2. Set of verified photomontages and wirelines for planning submission
3. Clear tables showing sensitivity, magnitude of change and significance
4. Recommendations for mitigation: earthworks, planting, screening, orientation, materials and lighting strategy
5. Plain-language summary for consultees and decision-makers