The landscape of the South Hams is complex, varied, and highly distinctive.  Its look and feel or character is a significant factor for many people in deciding to live or holiday in the area and gives rise to a particular sense of place.  The strength and quality of landscape character are major reasons for parts of the district and neighbouring authorities in South Devon and the Tamar Valley continuing to warrant national designation as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and National Park.

When examined at different scales, our landscape reveals distinct, recognisable and consistent patterns of particular landscape elements that make one landscape different to another.  Whether nationally designated or local valued, all landscapes matter and their management, planning and protection needs to be based on a comprehensive understanding of landscape character.  This principle is strongly articulated in both national and regional guidance and policy.

See Why is Landscape Important? on the website of Natural England.

A common approach to analysing and describing landscape known nationally as Landscape Character Assessment has been developed and refined over recent years.  This tool is widely used to help understand what the landscape is like today, how it came to be like it is, how it is perceived by people and how it may change in the future: all important considerations in selecting appropriate land management, planning, development and protection options.

A comprehensive Landscape Character Assessment of the South Hams district and the South Devon AONB was completed in 2007 following national guidance and an accepted methodology.  The assessment forms the technical evidence base in support of the South Hams District Council Local Development Framework and the South Devon AONB Management Plan.  

The following web pages introduce this work and its application before leading you to the published landscape character summaries and supporting mapping.  Please use the headings within the menu on the left to select the information you need and follow the links to supporting documentation as needed.