Environment and Climate Change

July 2019

The Landscape Sensitivity Assessment, which complements the 2005 Landscape Character Assessment, focuses on the consideration of the extent to which residential development in different locations might impact on valued landscape characteristics.  Based on Landscape Character Areas, the study uses defined criteria to assess the attributes of the landscape most likely to be affected by development and considers both 'landscape' and 'visual ' aspects of sensitivity.

The council has completed a further assessment of capacity of the landscape to accommodate future Growth. This part of the study assessed additional areas identified through the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and the Housing and Employment Land Availability Assessment (HELAA).   The study considered both the sensitivity and value of the landscape in these areas in order to assess the capacity.

This document explains how Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has applied the Flood Risk Sequential and Exception Test to development sites promoted for allocation in the emerging Local Plan and sets out the results of those tests. The application of the sequential and exception test has been informed by the Council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Level 1 and 2, published in December 2015 and amended in June 2016 following the publication of the Environment Agency's updated guidance on climate change allowances.

December 2015

The council has completed a further assessment of the capacity of the landscape to accommodate future growth. This part of the study assessed  areas identified through the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). The study in order to assess the capacity looked at both the sensitivity and value of the landscape in these areas.

The council has completed an assessment of the capacity of the landscape to accommodate future growth in Green Belt and safeguarded land locations in the borough. The study, in order to assess the capacity, has looked at both the sensitivity and value of the landscape in certain locations.

The study was commissioned on behalf of Hertfordshire County council and other local LPAs. It identifies the Distribution and extent of existing and potential Renewable and Low Carbon energy resources within Hertfordshire, and how they can be exploited, in relation to specific new developments and larger scale heat and power generation. The study is intended to support the reduction of CO2 emissions from residential and non-domestic buildings in the County through the use of planning policy.

Unlike the earlier Rye Meads Water Cycle Study, this scoping report considers water related issues affecting the entire borough (including part of the Rye Meads study area) and also four boroughs in south west Hertfordshire.

There is a concern that existing water infrastructure in the area may not have the capacity to handle (or that current investment plans do not make provision for) the increased demands from new development proposed in the East of England Plan. This study sets out a water cycle strategy for the Rye Meads area. This includes the Rye Meads Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) catchment and any surrounding areas that could potentially be pumped to it.

This study assesses the flood risk from all types of flooding in the borough, taking into account the existing climate and predicted changes in the climate.

Landscape Character Assessment

April
2005

The Landscape Character Assessment identifies 30 individual and distinct character areas across Welwyn Hatfield, and assists in informing planning policy development and planning application decisions.