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Archived Documents:
Applying the Multi-modal New Approach to Appraisal to Highway Schemes
7. Environment
7.4 Landscape
7.4.1 AST Entries
| Qualitative |
Are features and elements present
typical of the area or particularly valued,
and summarise the overall effect of the proposals.
Include national designations if relevant,
e.g. National Parks or AONB |
| Quantitative |
Not applicable, although DMRB
visual impact figures may be included here
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| Overall Assessment Score |
Seven point scale: Large Beneficial,
Moderate Beneficial, Slight Beneficial, Neutral,
Slight Adverse, Moderate Adverse, Large Adverse
or, Very Large Adverse outside the scale.
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7.4.2 Methods and Worksheets
GOMMMS worksheet W4.6. divides
the features of a landscape into Pattern,
Tranquillity, Cultural, and Land Cover each
of which is described and assessed against
the following indicators; Scale it Matters,
Importance, Rarity, Substitutability. Guidance
is given in GOMMMS on each feature and indicator.
The impact is recorded in the sixth column,
and the last column allows suggestions for
additional mitigation measures either not
firmly committed or exceptional measures.
The assessment score is derived from GOMMMS
table 4.6 which gives a seven point scale
based on the scheme's fit with the landscape
or landform, visual impact, loss of character,
degree of mitigation and effect on policies.
Note that, at all Stages, the assessment score
and its basis must be discussed with the Countryside
Agency and their views taken into account.
At DMRB Volume 11 Stage 3, landscape
surveys carried out in accordance with Section
3 Part 5.3 will give all the information to
complete the GOMMMS worksheet 4.6 but the
information will need to be split to fill
in the different boxes. All boxes should contain
useful information with as little repetition
as possible; the aim is to provide a vivid
picture of the existing situation and the
effects of the proposal.
The worksheet and AST should
compare do-minimum with the proposal. Analysts
should ensure that the benefits resulting
from traffic relief to existing roads is considered
and included in the balance as this aspect
is not covered in any detail in GOMMMS.
7.4.3 Data Transformation from
DMRB to GOMMMS
| Data Requirements |
Modify DMRB output? |
Data Sources |
| Worksheet |
|
|
| Description of existing landscape.
|
Re-order |
DMRB 11.3.2, 4, 6, 8, 11a |
| Appraise environmental capital
|
Re-order |
DMRB 11.3.5 |
| Impact on 7 point scale |
Yes |
Use GOMMMS 4.7.13 and table
4.6 |
| AST |
|
|
| Summary of character and effects |
Yes |
Summarise worksheet |
| Assessment score |
Yes |
Transfer from worksheet |
GOMMMS uses the information
gathered under DMRB 11.3.5, and, using a four
step assessment procedure, takes the baseline
components apart in more detail and applies
judgement to them in a more structured and
defined series of common indicators and rankings.
This is known as the 'Environmental Capital'
approach. DMRB is a more descriptive method;
detailed guidance is given on visual impact
assessment methodology but landscape character
and quality assessments methodology are left
to the judgement of the analyst.
The GOMMMS method draws on the
information collected as part of a full environmental
assessment under stage 3 of DMRB and updates
the analysis method, making it more transparent.
Visual impact on individual properties does
not form part of the GOMMMS landscape appraisal.
However, in the sense that a proposal may
be intrusive and not fit well into the landscape,
the appraisal would capture this as conflicting
with the pattern or character and in the scale
these matter or are important to local people.
7.4.4 DMRB Stages 1 and 2/ GOMMMS
Stage 1 DMRB requires a constraints
plan and a statement of the likely effects
of the proposal.. A brief visual survey will
be required. The information gained can be
used to populate the GOMMMS table. Limitations
and assumptions made should be made clear
in the qualitative comments section at the
end of the table. Stage 2 will include a more
detailed analysis of the landscape and the
route will have been developed to some extent.
Again, all known information of relevance
should be included in the GOMMMS worksheet
with a statement of the limitations and assumptions.
Published: 24 April 2001 | Updated: May 2003
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